Advancements in healthcare have hugely benefited the elderly, especially those living in assisted communities. One that’s making waves lately is medical cannabis use – it’s also a hot topic for debate.
Many seniors are finding unexpected relief as we learn about this natural treatment’s benefits. So, what can medical cannabis do? This article shares four top ways our senior folks benefit from its healing touch.
Pain Management
Older folks often deal with chronic pain. It could come from arthritis, osteoporosis, or just the wear and tear of life’s years on their bodies. Traditional ways to soothe this ache include drugs you can get over-the-counter or through a prescription, but these carry risks like side effects and addiction.
Recently, medical cannabis has become an alternative for easing discomfort. Its compounds, CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), have shown they can help lessen pain effectively.
These compounds interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system in helpful ways that reduce inflammation. This results in lessening overall discomfort, allowing seniors to live more actively without constant nagging pains.
Sleep Regulation
Getting older can mess up one’s sleep. It might make it hard to get enough or good quality sleep, often leading to problems like insomnia. Too little sleep isn’t only bad for your mood – it also damages overall health.
Medical cannabis is gaining attention because of its potential benefits when dealing with these issues concerning a person’s circadian rhythm. This is our body’s biological clock that regulates the 24-hour cycle. A lot of seniors find consuming regulated amounts of cannabis helpful.
It could be through swallowing as an edible, inhalation via smoking or vaporizing, and more. The naturally tranquil properties found in marijuana may help decrease the time taken to fall asleep while increasing how long you stay knocked out, improving night-time rest altogether.
Mental Health and Mood Enhancement
Mental health problems, like anxiety or depression and even dementia, can often plague older folks. The stress of aging, losing loved ones along the way and dealing with deteriorating physical strength, isn’t easy to handle. This sometimes leads towards poor mental well-being. Medical cannabis shows promise in aiding some of these issues. CBD (cannabidiol) has been linked to easing symptoms connected with anxiety and depression for several users.
Moreover, early studies also hint that certain compounds found within marijuana might slow down Alzheimer’s disease progressions. This is a neurodegenerative disorder that is the most common cause of dementia among seniors. However, more research is needed to back up this claim.
Appetite Stimulation
Not feeling hungry can be a real issue for many seniors. It might cause unplanned weight loss and lack of proper nutrition. This could happen due to side effects from medication, loss of taste or smell abilities, or even underlying health conditions.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is one of the main compounds in cannabis plants, has been reported to help boost appetite levels. For older folks who find it tough to maintain healthy body mass or have other issues related to food intake, utilizing medicinal marijuana may serve as an effective solution. It helps improve their eating habits, leading to healthier living.
Conclusion
As medical cannabis is getting more nods from doctors and society in general, its possible perks for seniors are getting clearer. Always remember to chat with your healthcare provider before you begin any new treatment, though. For many older people out there, this natural remedy may just be what they’ve been hoping to find all along.
