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Discover the Benefits of CBD Oil in the Elderly

This post is part of our Best Dispensary in San Diego series, sponsored by Cannabist.

By now, it’s likely that you’ve already heard a thing or two about CBD (cannabidiol, an organic, non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant) and its many benefits. You might also be feeling more than a little bit curious about CBD and may want to know if it can help you. No doubt, from promising better sleep to offering a boost in pain management, CBD has quickly grown to be one of the most important health discoveries in our lifetimes.

However, despite these numerous and known benefits from using CBD, it still remains largely misunderstood by the general public. For instance, what exactly is CBD, and how does CBD work? How much CBD should you take in a dose? Is it safe to use it? And most importantly: Can it help you with your pressing health concerns, such as your arthritis or your other aches and pains? And of course, we’ll also discuss where you can buy CBD oil in San Diego.

CBD Oil Uses in the Elderly

Fortunately, not only is CBD incredibly safe, but it’s also extremely easy to use, too. This is true for people of almost all ages, especially including the elderly. And while the jury is still out on all the incredible things it can do (and the good news keeps rolling in!), the research has demonstrated that taking CBD is one of the best things you can do for your wellbeing. 

Studies have shown that the use of CBD oil for elderly people is a fantastic option, citing relief from several physical and mental concerns, including:

• Chronic pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Acne (and other skin issues)
• Hypertension
• Addiction
• Diabetes
• Insomnia

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! There are tons of benefits of taking CBD in elderly persons, and arguably no downsides to it. In fact, with so many advantages to taking it, then the only question remaining is, why not start your own CBD protocol today?

What Is CBD Oil?

First and foremost, before you can even begin considering starting a CBD protocol, you first need to understand what exactly is CBD oil and how to take it. In brief, CBD oil is a tincture, typically including a combination of CBD (and possibly other compounds, depending on the brand) and a carrier oil (generally a flavorless oil, like coconut oil). Different brands may have different percentages, and some may be isolates (containing just CBD) and others may be full-spectrum (with other cannabinoids included in it).

For many people, using CBD oil is their preferred method of taking CBD, as the administration is fairly straightforward and simple. Rather than trying to fuss with some complex mathematics, you can instead just take a glance at the side of the bottle, figure out how much CBD is in a serving (which is usually a dropper’s worth), and administer the CBD oil directly under your tongue.

What Does CBD Oil Do?

There are several different types of CBD oils on the market, and depending on what you prefer to use them for (such as taking CBD oil for pain or anxiety relief), you may find you get different results from taking a dose of it. However, one thing is pretty common about all reputable CBD oils, and that’s their effectiveness against a myriad of health concerns. However, please remember that sometimes it does take time for the CBD to build up in your system before you start to get results. It won’t always be instantaneous.

How does CBD oil work? Well, your body has its own endocannabinoid system, which means that the CBD in the oil will bind to those receptors. In turn, these neurotransmitters allow your body to experience a number of beneficial effects, including pain relief, better sleep, improved moods, and even a reduction in certain symptoms of chronic disease. While everyone’s body is different, for many, the results of taking CBD in elderly and younger generations are both impressive and long-lasting.

Is CBD Oil Safe for Seniors?

It’s understandable to feel concerned about the safety and the efficacy of CBD in elderly people, especially if this is your first time hearing about it. That said, research has demonstrated that CBD is extremely safe to use, so if you want to consider CBD for arthritis in seniors, — or, really, any other health concern — you may be pleasantly surprised. Not only is it not psychoactive, but it’s all but impossible to overdose on it. One study demonstrated that you’d have to take in excess of 20,000 milligrams of CBD before you would start to notice toxicity.

However, there is one small caveat to the safety of CBD oil for seniors. CBD, like grapefruit, cannot be taken with certain medications. This is due to something called “CYP 450,” which is the way your body metabolizes these medications. If you take certain medicines (such as specific statins, hypertension medications, and even antidepressants), it’s best to talk to your doctor before introducing a CBD protocol. While CBD is considered safe, there is still the risk of certain CBD side effects in seniors when using it.

How Much CBD Should an Elderly Person Take?

There are a lot of variables that come into play when trying to determine how much CBD oil is best for you. Weight, height, sex, and age are all especially important, which means that seniors do need to be mindful of dosage before starting to take CBD oils for their health. Furthermore, the condition you’re trying to address also plays a key role in how much CBD you need to take and what might be the best CBD for elderly people. 

For instance, if you want to take CBD for arthritis in seniors, you can start with a lower dose, but taking CBD for sleep in elderly persons may necessitate a higher dosage. As a rule of thumb, a good starting dose for CBD in elderly people is about 5 milligrams, give or take. This is typically about a dropper of CBD worth of oil, or about one CBD edible portion. After you take your dose, you should wait a while, a few hours, or even up to a week. If you find you don’t experience relief after a smaller dose, then you may consider gradually increasing it until you do find an amount that works well for you.

Can You Use CBD Oil For Parkinson’s Disease?

The role of CBD on people with Parkinson’s has been shown to be pretty promising, with new Parkinson’s disease research coming out every day. Indeed, studies have shown cautious optimism in how it can help those who struggle with it. For instance, one study showed that patients with Parkinson’s noted a reduction in psychotic episodes when taking CBD. Another study found that the subjects had improved REM sleep on CBD, highlighting the benefits of using CBD for sleep in elderly people. Finally, a third study revealed improvements in motor scores.

Currently, more trials and studies are underway, which are expected to shed further light on the benefits of CBD on those who have Parkinson’s Disease. Ultimately, though, it’s important to remember that CBD is not a replacement for medical care from your doctor. Always discuss treatment with your provider before starting CBD, and make sure there aren’t any adverse interactions between CBD and any Parkinson’s medications.

The Advantages of Using CBD for Seniors

While CBD is great for people of all ages, seniors can especially benefit from using CBD. Because elderly people are particularly vulnerable to certain problems that can arise in their advanced age (such as poor sleep, arthritis, and cognitive impairment), starting a CBD protocol can dramatically improve both their overall wellness and their quality of life. 

For instance, taking CBD for arthritis in seniors has been shown to reduce inflammation, swelling, and joint pain. It’s also been indicated in improving bone health in seniors, reducing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. Because of its anti-inflammatory benefits, some people have found that taking CBD can reduce the pressure in their eyes, improving the symptoms of their glaucoma. If you’ve been struggling with getting a good night’s rest, CBD for sleep in elderly people can also help with that.

Another benefit of taking CBD for seniors includes more energy, as it has been shown to help invigorate those who take it. If you’ve been fighting your weight and are concerned about losing too much, you guessed it: CBD can help. Finally, another incredibly important benefit of CBD isn’t its physical benefits, but rather, its mental benefits can be profound, too. Studies have shown that taking CBD can markedly reduce the risk of developing age-related cognitive impairment, like dementia and Alzheimer’s. 

Does CBD Oil Help With Anxiety in the Elderly?

One popular usage of taking CBD in elderly people is its mental health benefits. Many people tend to struggle with anxiety and stress, leading to poor sleep and increased cortisol levels. This is particularly true for senior citizens, which is why taking CBD for sleep in elderly people is so vital. A poor night’s rest has been correlated with elevated anxiety and stress, leading to a vicious and repeated cycle.

Fortunately, CBD can help with all three issues. Because CBD has been shown to act upon the endocannabinoid system in the body, a notable improvement in anxiety and stress has been shown from taking it. Researchers suspect that this is because CBD works on the serotonin levels in your brain, but regardless of the reason, the results of taking CBD for anxiety have been impressive.

Does CBD Oil Make You High?

Despite the numerous benefits of taking CBD oil, some people can be admittedly hesitant about taking it, as they fear that it might make them “high.” Let’s just go ahead and dispel this myth once and for all. No, CBD oil cannot make you high, as it is derived from the non-psychoactive portion of the hemp plant. Not only that, but full-spectrum CBD products are actually restricted by the FDA to contain less than 0.3% of THC.

To better understand the nuance of this fact and what it means for you, it helps to get a general idea of what CBD is and how it differs from THC. For starters, CBD comes from the hemp plant, not the marijuana plant. While these plants are cousins, it doesn’t mean they have the same effect on your body and mind. Furthermore — and we can’t stress this enough — but CBD absolutely cannot get you high, even in large doses. 

While it can definitely relax you and help you feel more at ease, it doesn’t interact with the body the same way THC (the part of the marijuana plant that does get you high), meaning that you won’t notice any euphoria or sign of being “high” that can come from using marijuana. So if you’re concerned about using CBD for arthritis in seniors, you can set those worries aside. The bottom line is that it cannot get you high, period, so you really have nothing to worry about when taking CBD oil!

How Do You Take CBD Oil?

With so many ways to take CBD oil, it’s almost impossible to take it the “wrong” way. Nevertheless, there are preferred methods of taking it, and depending on your end goals, some ways of taking it may be better for you than others. With that in mind, some of the more popular ways to take CBD oil include:

• As a capsule
• Inhaled (through a vape product, for instance)
• As a sublingual tincture
• As a CBD edible

Now, there are pros and cons of each method. For instance, while inhaling CBD can help lend you the benefits of it faster, some people may be wary of it, citing health concerns. Capsules are another great way to take CBD oil, but it tends to work more slowly that way, as it has to go through your digestive system first. Sublingual tinctures, on the other hand, are very fast-acting and can start to show benefits as soon as fifteen minutes after taking a dose.

A lot of people enjoy CBD edibles, as they are both tasty and easy to dose. You don’t have to mess with trying to figure out how much to take, as most edibles are usually a single-serve portion. While you may not start to experience results from your dose until after an hour or so has passed, the CBD remains in your system longer this way, meaning you won’t have to re-dose again soon.

If you prefer a sublingual tincture, all you need to know is how much CBD is in a dropper, and squeeze exactly that much beneath your tongue. Let it linger there for a few seconds (typically about thirty seconds, though longer is fine!), then swallow it. This method gets the CBD in your system faster than taking a capsule or an edible, so if you find you want to experience the benefits faster, this is the way to go.

Where Can I Buy CBD Oil in San Diego?

When looking for a local CBD dispensary, it’s important to always check the reviews and make sure they’re a vetted retail shop. Fortunately, you can find reputable dispensaries from Normal Heights to La Jolla. You always want to make sure the CBD they use is authentic and not synthetic, which can be harmful to you. With that in mind, if you’re curious about where to buy CBD oil in San Diego, here are some of the best places to find CBD oil right here in our city.

Cannabist (Pacific Beach / La Jolla)

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If you live in La Jolla, Cannabist is the closest dispensary. It’s new — they just opened this branch in August 2021 — and it’s about 6 miles by car from La Jolla Cove. They carry a variety of CBD tinctures, soft gels, and topical products (including suppositories), and their knowledgeable staff can help you select the best CBD product for your needs. 

• Address: 4645 De Soto St., San Diego, CA 92109
• Phone: (858) 324-5130
• Hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.
  Senior Sundays: 30% off 55+ on Sundays

THCSD

For those who are dealing with joint pain, chronic inflammation, anxiety, and other mental and physical ailments that come with natural aging, The Healing Center San Diego offers boat loads of CBD products from trusted brands that are tried and true for alleviating all kinds of symptoms and health issues. What’s more, THCSD values their customers, and wants to provide value to their customers, too. They offer loyalty club member rewards as well as sweet daily deals on high-grade kush products for newbies and returnies alike! 

• Address: 3703 Camino del Rio S #215a, San Diego, CA 92109
• Phone: (858) 324-2420
• Hours: Mon – Sun 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Pure Water Health (Clairemont)

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Established in 2017, Pure Water Health is your one-stop-shop for all of your health needs. Not only do they sell an assortment of CBD products, but they also offer a variety of other health products, such as alkaline and reverse osmosis water and organic vitamins. This small, woman-owned company’s glowing, 5-star reviews speak for themselves. If you’re looking for the best dispensary in San Diego, complete with top-notch customer service, you’ll want to pay Pure Water Health a visit!

• Address: 8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Ste. K-1, San Diego, CA 92111
• Phone: (858) 292-1098
• Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Sat and Sun 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Torrey Holistics (Del Mar)

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As one of the most highly-rated licensed dispensaries in the Del Mar Heights region, Torrey Holistics has everything you need when it comes to CBD products. Boasting a wide selection of edibles, drinks, vapes, flowers, and resins, they aren’t just trusted vendors, but they’re also your local go-to experts on all things CBD. If you’re not sure what to get, they’re more than happy to walk you through picking out the right CBD product for your needs.

• Address: 10671 Roselle St., Ste. 100, San Diego, CA 92121
• Phone: (858) 558-1420
• Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.

March and Ash (San Diego Metro)

As a consumer-focused business, March and Ash have been serving San Diego’s CBD needs since 2018. With four locations (including City Heights, Mission Valley, Vista, and Imperial Valley), they’re the convenient option for those who don’t want to travel far for their CBD. With an emphasis on safety and consumer education and satisfaction, the owners of this highly-rated dispensary genuinely care about their customers and are eager to assist you with your next CBD purchase.

• Address: 2835 Camino Del Rio S, Ste. 100, San Diego, CA 92108
• Phone: (619) 314-7336
• Hours: Mon-Sun 7 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Thrive CBD (Pacific Beach)

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If you’re looking for the experts in your search as to where to buy CBD oil, then Thrive CBD (founded in 2015) is the place you’ll want to visit. They focus only on selling CBD, and you won’t find any THC products on their shelves. With a wide selection of products to choose from, including CBD oils, drops, vapes, edibles, and even pet CBD products, this CBD shop definitely knows its stuff. If you have any questions about what you might need, the owner is more than ready to help assist you, as Johnny uses CBD himself, too!

• Address: 1570 Garnet Ave., San Diego, CA 92109
• Phone: (858) 490-4223
• Hours: Mon-Sun 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Is CBD Right for You?

At the end of the day, taking CBD is ultimately a personal decision, and there’s no right or wrong answer as to if you should take it or not. Between its many known benefits, however, as well as its lack of known risks, the evidence is strongly stacked in its favor. If you’ve been curious about taking CBD, though, hopefully this guide has helped answer your questions so you can feel more confident in starting your own CBD wellness journey.

No matter what you decide — whether you’ve already determined that CBD is right for you, or you still want to do a little more research before you begin taking it — there is one thing that is for certain. No matter how you approach it, there’s little doubt that CBD can be an incredible addition to your lifestyle, and we sincerely hope that you get the lasting relief you seek when you finally start your own CBD protocol!

About the author: When Karyl Trejo isn’t writing articles about health and fitness, you can find her hanging out with her husband and two cats on the beautiful Central Coast of California, chipping away at her next science fiction novel. If you want to hit her up for her favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe or swap running tips with her, you can find her LinkedIn here.

The hero image in this article is courtesy of Gocannabist.com/location/san-diego/