CBD for Arthritis in Seniors: Benefits & Risks to Know
This post is part of our Best Dispensary in Los Angeles series, sponsored by Project Cannabis.
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, has generated a lot of buzz for being able to help with a range of symptoms and illnesses — including arthritis.
CBD is an active compound in the cannabis plant. It’s not psychoactive, so it won’t make you high, but proponents say that CBD has many positive benefits for various health issues, including pain relief and help with sleeping.
If you stumbled upon this article, you’re probably wondering if CBD is any good for arthritis. Here’s what you should know.
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Is CBD Safe For the Elderly?
The use of CBD for arthritis in seniors is seeing a surge in popularity, largely because of the existing buzz surrounding the compound and the reported benefits. Many seniors use CBD to help treat their arthritis at home, both as an at-home remedy and as a complement to traditional medicine.
While the scientific data isn’t entirely clear about CBD’s benefits at this point, many people say that it helps. In early research, CBD has been shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory benefits. CBD is also known to help seniors sleep.
Of course, you should always consult your doctor before taking any compound or supplement. They’ll be able to guide you in the right direction as far as dosage, type, and more.
Best CBD for Arthritis in Seniors
Once you’ve decided that you want to try CBD for arthritis, you’ll need to figure out the best way to take the compound.
CBD is available in many forms, from pills to edibles for elderly people. Here’s the rundown on the different types and the considerations you should know about for each.
Pills
This is one of the most straightforward ways to consume CBD. CBD pills are exactly what they sound like: a small capsule with a certain amount of CBD. Because you probably already take vitamins or pills, this could be a great way to add CBD to your daily routine. Just make sure to check for any interactions with your existing pill regimen.
Oil
CBD also comes in oil and tincture form, often delivered via dropper. In this case, you’ll typically place a dropper full of CBD underneath your tongue. Alternatively, you can add some types of CBD oils directly to food or beverages.
Edibles
CBD edibles come in various forms, from CBD-infused beverages to CBD cookies and baked goods. In general, edible versions of CBD take a bit longer to relieve pain because they need to head through your digestion. With that being said, they’re undeniably a tasty way to consume CBD.
Topicals
Topicals are a great option to apply CBD for arthritis in seniors. These are lotions, balms, oils, or salves that you can apply to your joints and muscles. Many believe this allows targeted pain relief since CBD is absorbed through the skin.
Vaporizers
Vaporizing CBD is the quickest way to get the pain-relieving effects into your system. Generally, you’ll start feeling the effects of a vaporized substance within a few minutes. However, vaping comes with risks since you also inhale chemicals and other byproducts directly into your lungs.
Benefits of Using CBD for Joint Pain in Elderly
Once you’ve decided you want to take CBD and the form of CBD that you want to take, you’re pretty much set. However, it can be a good idea to learn about CBD’s benefits on your arthritis so you can know what to look for.
Pain Suppression
CBD is well-known for having pain-relieving properties. Studies have shown it to be effective for pain relief in patients with chronic pain after surgeries. Additionally, other studies suggest that topical CBD can have beneficial effects on arthritis-related joint pain and swelling.
Nerve Protectant
Along with general pain relief, there’s also research that CBD can help address neuropathic pain. Essentially, pain that’s caused by nerve damage. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, some studies have shown CBD to be effective at relieving neuropathy.
Joint Support
One of the most promising effects of CBD for arthritis in seniors is that it can help with joint pain. Because CBD addresses both inflammation and pain, the compound can potentially be an excellent option for those with arthritis.
Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for Seniors
Now that you know the basics of CBD for joint pain in elderly people, there’s still the question of whether or not it’s safe. You may be asking, “is CBD safe for elderly people?” You may even have more specific questions, such as “are CBD gummies safe for seniors?”
Research is still scant on the issue, but it looks promising. In general, no serious complications or side effects have been reported with moderate doses of CBD. Some of the most common side effects are non-serious and include drowsiness, dry mouth, and reduced appetite.
In general, most application types — whether it’s pills, edible goods, or topicals — will have similar risks and side effects. As we covered earlier, the one exception is inhalation via a vaporizer. Because of the risks, it isn’t for everyone.
You should also consider that CBD is still in a legal gray area in some states. While the compound is legal at the federal level, many states heavily regulate it.
Get Affordable CBD Products with Special Discounts For Seniors
The best CBD for arthritis in seniors is going to be the one that’s easy to take and has a high enough dosage to address the inflammation and pain of the illness.
While many retailers sell CBD-infused products, the best place to get CBD is often a cannabis dispensary. The CBD products you’ll find at dispensaries like Project Cannabis will be high-quality and sold by knowledgeable people.
Seniors can also get great deals at Project Cannabis, including 25% off most products during its Wake & Bake Happy Hour, which happens for the first hour the store is open.
CBD is Generally Safe for Most People — And Can Be Good For Arthritis
Although the research isn’t plentiful, what we do have about weed for arthritis is promising.
CBD might be effective at addressing inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. Because it’s generally safe for everyone to take, it can be a good alternative or complement to other medications and treatments. So, if you are considering CBD uses for senior applications – you might be pleasantly surprised by the results. Just bear in mind, please consult your physician before adding CBD to your daily health routine.
The banner image of various CBD products is courtesy of Project Cannabis.
