As aches, pains & other issues start to make themselves more and more known as you age, you might be looking into all your options to heal or find relief. With CBD becoming more popular, there is more research being done which is showing promising results. Before we get into the 5 life-changing health benefits of CBD for seniors, let’s answer a few of the most common questions…
What is CBD?
There are over 100 chemical compounds found in the Cannabis plant. CBD, known as cannabidiol, is one of those non-psychoactive compounds that has been isolated from the rest of the plant (which is why it doesn’t make you high!)
Will CBD make me high?
No. CBD is non-psychoactive and will not make you high. In the Cannabis plant, it is the active compound THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) that is psychoactive. So although both compounds come from the same plant, when CBD is extracted all the other compounds are left behind.
How can I take CBD?
You can get CBD in many different ways including edibles, oils, tinctures, vapes and creams.
5 Life-Changing Health Benefits Of CBD For Seniors
1. CBD Can Help To Reduce Chronic Pain
By activating the CB1 and CB2 receptors of your Endocannabinoid System, CBD can help to reduce inflammation. This can help with joint pain, arthritis and other chronic conditions. A study by Syracuse University showed that CBD decreased “pain unpleasantness” compared to those who did not take CBD. However, even those who received the placebo reported the same decrease. (Which goes to show the power of your mindset!) So just keep in mind that early research is promising, but limited.
Better5 Tip: If you suffer from arthritis, yoga can also help reduce the pain by helping you keep your joints in motion without stressing or hurting them. Learn more about yoga & arthritis now (Click Or Tap Here)
2. CBD Can Improve Sleep Quality
By decreasing cortisol levels (the stress hormone) in your body, CBD can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep. A study by The Permanente Journal showed that 66.7% of people had their sleep scores improve within 1 month of taking CBD regularly, however it may be more of a short term solution.
3. CBD Can Improve Heart Health
We all know high blood pressure is bad for your heart. So think of vasorelaxation as the knight in shining armor. Vasorelaxation is what happens the the blood vessel walls reduce stress and the blood vessels widen, allowing more blood to flow through the body. CBD helps assist with vasorelaxation by activating your CB1 and TRP channels.
4. CBD Can Help Offset Anxiety & Depression
Serotonin is a chemical that is thought to play a role in mood regulation. In a study amongst animals, CBD was shown to have a positive interaction with serotonin receptors in the brain and lead to anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects.
5. CBD Can Aid In Resisting Neurodegenerative & Autoimmune Diseases
Most likely due to it being a potent antioxidant, CBD has been shown to cause neuroprotective effects. A study by the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology has shown that CBD had positive results in humans with epilepsy as well as in mice with type-1 diabetes & rheumatoid arthritis and may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
So far the research into CBD, while limited, has been very promising. When it comes to our health & wellness it’s always worth looking into all of our options. Achieving optimal health usually involves a combination of medication, physical exercise & and wellness practices as we age.
