Cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD, is an increasingly common alternative to traditional medicine and is increasingly popular with the senior population. It is a natural way to for your body to achieve wellness and has been known to replace a variety of over the counter as well as prescription medications. Younger adults are much more likely to be taking CBD oil drops, but CBD oil for the elderly makes the most sense. Seniors are more likely to have the conditions that CBD is known to help with.
CBD is a powerful analgesic that more people are turning to for its natural therapeutic properties. Safe to use and available in countless forms and strengths, seniors may find CBD as a great alternative to traditional medicines in dealing with many common ailments associated with aging.
Although there may have been some initial hesitation about CBD since its nationwide legalization in December of 2018. As it grew in popularity alongside the legalization of marijuana and other cannabis-derived products, the forthcoming research and science behind it has led to a growing and thriving market with a variety of available products to suit the needs of customers with many different forms of products.
There might be a stigma associated with CBD oil because it comes from the same plant family as marijuana. As more people realize that it is not the same as marijuana CBD is increasing in popularity. People around the globe have had their lives changed by CBD, with over fifty conditions that CBD can help alleviate.
Why CBD Works Safely
CBD is one of a combination of over a hundred different chemical compounds known as cannabinoids that are extracted from the Cannabis sativa, or hemp plant. This is a cousin of the marijuana plant, both from the greater Cannabaceae family, but is not the same and has some distinct differences.
Although marijuana has long been known for its psychoactive effects, it is only the chemical Tetrahydrocannabinol, also referred to as THC, that has this effect on the body. While marijuana has high levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol, hemp actually has significantly lower levels, and instead, has higher levels of cannabidiol, or CBD. This CBD is extracted and mixed with a carrier oil, allowing users to obtain many of the medicinal properties of the Cannabis sativa plant without any euphoria-inducing effects.
Check out this article by Prima for a more in-depth explanation of the distinctions between these plants.
A 2019 survey conducted by Gallup found that 14% of all Americans use some form of CBD product, and this number is expected to increase rapidly. This development of CBD comes at an ideal time as those from the baby boomer generation reach their senior years, but how exactly does CBD work, and how can it help to ease the aging process?
CBD Oil May Make Aging Bodies More Comfortable
Much of the aging process comes with many difficulties as the body wears down with a higher likelihood of needing medical intervention. The recovery process from any injuries or surgeries also significantly increases with age as the immune system and the body weakens, and it is common to need help beyond a prescription bottle to deal with this process.
The body’s endocannabinoid system, also known as ECS, helps to regulate bodily functions to promote balance and homeostasis within the body. Endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters produced by the body to bind with cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system.
There are two cannabinoid receptors the CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are usually found in the brain and central nervous system. CB2 receptors are most abundant in the immune system and are known to regulate the release of cytokines.
CBD works by first activating these receptors by increasing anandamide levels and releasing serotonin that then reduces the level of discomfort one might feel. CBD has the ability to influence ion channels that control the release of chemicals like calcium, sodium, and potassium.
CBD can also prevent molecules such as THC from binding with cannabinoid receptors by changing the shape of the receptors, negating THC’s intoxicating effects. CBD also has the ability of delaying the reabsorption of important neurotransmitters or brain chemicals. As a result, CBD gives these chemicals more time to stay in your body so their effects can last longer.
CBD Education is Important
It is recommended to learn more about how to take CBD oil before using it. For instance, you may not want to take CBD for issues that arise at night but use CBD for problems that you suffer from during the day. Another cannabinoids called CBN might be a better fit for night time problems. While some of these issues are related, education is the only way new CBD users will be able to assess their problems and apply the best solution.
To get the benefits that CBD has to offer, it needs to be taken daily and frequently. CBD typically lasts between 4 and 6 hours. One of the most important factors when taking CBD is the dosage. If you take too little you won’t experience any of the benefits CBD has to offer. The same can be true is you can too much. It is recommended to start low and increase the amount you use once a week until you get the benefits you are looking for.
Types of CBD Products Available
CBD is still being studied and tested, but from this process came several different varieties of CBD oil classifications. Whether it’s the purest form of CBD available or a blend of cannabinoids that for increased effectiveness that sparks your interest, there are products on the market to fit your needs.
CBD Isolates
CBD Isolates are the purest form of CBD with no other cannabinoids. With isolates you won’t get the benefits of other beneficial compounds, including all of the phytocannabinoids, waxes, terpenes, essential fatty acids, and flavonoids. But there is no chance of ingesting THC because most CBD isolates are 99.99% pure. With isolates they have no taste or smell which makes them best for baking.
Broad-spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum is not as pure as isolates are in that they contain all of the chemical compounds in the hemp plant aside from the THC compound.
Full-spectrum/Whole-plant CBD
Full-spectrum CBD takes the healing properties of the hemp plant a step further by including all of the chemical compounds found in the plant, including the trace amounts of THC compound.
Topical CBD Products
Topicals are a great way to target specific parts of the body without many of the side effects that may come with traditional prescription medications. These can be found in several forms including the following:
- Oils
- Creams
- Lotions
- Bath Salts
- Leaftoncs makes some great CBD products such as this topical body butter CBD cream and it has 600mg of full-spectrum CBD. It combines shea butter, cocoa seed butter, aloe vera & vitamin E for the perfect topical cream which brings other healing compounds plus the hemp plant into action.
- If you’re not interested in a body butter, Leaftonics also offer CBD salves. With our Seven Essential Oil Salve you will get the benefits of full-spectrum CBD, Arnica Montana, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint, Balsam Fir Oil, Lemongrass Oil and Ginger Oil.
Ingestible CBD Products
CBD can also be taken orally in a variety of ways including the following:
- Edibles
- Vapes
- Tinctures
- Capsules
- Tablets
- Ingestible CBD products are ideal for chronic symptoms and long-term conditions and can be found in some delicious varieties including candy, meal bars, and juices. Leaftonics offers a nice selection of tinctures including the regular CBD oil with 30 different flavors, RAW CBD oil, black seed CBD oil, spirulina CBD oil, dandelion CBD oil and water soluble CBD oil. We also offer a buyer’s guide to help you figure out which of their many products is the best fit for you.
- CBD oil has a unique earthy taste and some people may prefer not to deal with taste. CBD capsules are perfect for those people and can be found by clicking here. Capsules come in a precisely measured dose, the most common doses are: 5mg, 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg and 150mg. They are offered as powder capsules or liquid softgels.
Before You Buy
Always consult with a doctor or healthcare professional before taking any new products. Although CBD seems to be safe even in high doses, everybody does react differently and studies are not yet conclusive, so always monitor your health and increase dosages carefully. Dr. Danial Schecter of Ontario recommends that seniors starting with 2.5 mg per day and increasing by 2.5 mg per day.
Also be sure that you buy your CBD products from trusted dispensaries or companies. CBD is largely not yet FDA approved, so it is crucial to ensure that your product and where it is sourced from is of top quality.
In Summary
CBD is still new on the market and heavy research is still being done to discover the many benefits that this natural remedy offers. CBD is not marijuana but a cousin plant called hemp. CBD has many natural therapeutic properties and can help towards dealing with many common ailments associated with aging.
It is safe to use and are offered in many different product forms. Full-spectrum hemp is the best for offering the full benefits of the hemp plant with all the beneficial compounds, including all of the phytocannabinoids, waxes, terpenes, essential fatty acids, and flavonoids.
