Most people are familiar with the adverse effects of Cannabis, but as scientific research is advancing in this field, it can be said that it has a lot of health benefits as well if used in the right way. Especially for the elderly who struggle with several ailments as they age such as back pain, forgetfulness, diabetes, and heart-related issues, they can for sure benefit from cannabis whether it’s in the form of CBD flower, ointment, or oil.
Below are the five ways in which cannabis can improve the quality of life for older people. Read on!
1. Helps with Stress and Anxiety
Indeed stress is inevitable nowadays, however, it’s more common in senior people as they suffer from loneliness and multiple health issues. Stress and anxiety can lead to even more health-related problems such as gastrointestinal issues, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.
Therefore, cannabis can effectively and organically counter stress by controlling hormones in the body. It releases happy hormones (dopamine) and diminishes the production of stress hormone (cortisol) for a happier life. If you're a senior seeking natural stress relief, a cannabis dispensary in Orleans can provide you with a range of products to help manage your well-being. From CBD-infused tinctures to low-THC options, these dispensaries cater to the specific needs of seniors looking for gentle and effective stress reduction.
2. Improves Metabolism and Digestion
Although working out is the best way to lead a healthy life, at times the elderly can struggle to exercise as their body is usually low on energy. Whereas, being overweight can trigger many diseases like high BP, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and other heart diseases.
Cannabis helps to improve metabolism which aids in quick digestion to ensure older people don’t gain excess weight quickly and are able to easily digest food.
3. Helps with Body Pain
Body aches and muscle pain are more prevalent in older people as they also suffer from arthritis at this age. This can restrict their mobility and impact their daily life drastically.
Cannabis can help relieve their body pain temporarily by interacting with the body’s cannabinoid receptors and blocking the pain by decreasing pain signaling. It can also help with inflammation and improve blood flow in the affected area for quick healing and relaxation.
4. Enhances Sleep for Seniors
Usually, it is suggested that older people should have 7 to 8 hours of sound sleep every night. Otherwise, the lack of sleep can cause many physical as well as mental issues. Sleep deprivation can also cause the immune system to not work efficiently, therefore, affecting the health of the elderly adversely.
One of the components of the cannabinoid, THC, possesses intoxicating and soothing effects. Taking cannabis can help the elderly to catch a sufficient amount of sound sleep every night and it can even help to regulate their natural sleep cycle for a healthier lifestyle.
5. Prevents Mental Deterioration Disorders
Older people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease find it difficult to cope with even the small tasks in their daily life. It causes not only severe forgetfulness but also anxiety and poor cognitive abilities.
Cannabis can diminish the risk of such diseases slowly over time by increasing the connections between brain cells. Although these disorders are not reversible, they can be prevented ahead of time.