Cannabis For Seniors: Addressing Common Questions And Concerns

Are you a senior?

I’m not. But I’m getting there.

I’m closing in on 50. With the way time flies, I’ll be a senior citizen before I know it.

We will all be one eventually. If we’re lucky.

I’m certain I will still be smoking in my old age.

I also recently learned that my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

He hasn’t smoked since his time in Vietnam, but marijuana might be the answer when he starts chemotherapy.

So I thought: why not do some research on cannabis for seniors.

This article is the result of my research, and my thinking it might help others who find themselves in a similar situation, whether you will be a senior soon, or you have a senior in your life who uses (or is considering using) cannabis.

 

What Is The Best Cannabis For Elderly People?

Cannabis sativa consists of three species: indica, sativa, and ruderalis. The cannabinoid profile of each species varies, altering its therapeutic properties.

Over the years, breeders have carefully bred different strains, including hybrids of the three species, resulting in unique cannabinoid profiles and other defining properties.

 

Indica Strains

Indica-dominant cannabis strains are ideal for elderly people looking for relaxation and pain relief. It is best to use cannabis indica strains at night to wind down before sleeping.

These strains provide a body buzz, optimize relaxation, reduce pain, relieve anxiety, and promote better sleep. Cannabis enthusiasts often refer to “indica” strains as “in-da-couch” for their mellowing effects.

Examples of indica strains:

• Afghani Bull Rider: This is a 100% indica strain that induces relaxation and euphoria and stimulates hunger. It is recommended for treating insomnia, muscle spasms, and depression, as well as for pain relief.
• Northern Lights: This indica-dominant strain produces a euphoric high and promote full-body relaxation. It mutes pain sensations and has sleep-inducing effects.
• Bio Jesus: This strain produces heavy euphoria and promotes good sleep. It is ideal for seniors with chronic pain.

 

Sativa Strains

Elderly people can use sativa-dominant strains to feel energized. The best time to use sativa strains is during the day when you want to focus or concentrate on completing tasks.

If you have trouble performing daily tasks like washing, cleaning, cooking, etc., sativa strains can help activate creativity in the brain and make menial tasks more enjoyable.

Examples of sativa strains:

• Green Crack: This sativa-dominant cannabis strain produces an energizing high that can make seniors feel focused, talkative, and uplifted.
• Sour Diesel: This is another Sativa-dominant hybrid strain that promotes energy and alertness. As the high wears off after a few hours, you start to feel drowsy.
• Cinex: The Cinex sativa-cannabis strain can make you feel happy and focused. It also provides pain relief and gives you a pleasant, mellow high.

 

How Can Cannabis Benefit The Elderly?

Cannabis is an effective remedy for relieving pain. One study found that it reduced pain by 30% more than traditional medicines.

Seniors with cancer, chronic pain, arthritis, and other conditions can benefit from cannabis’ pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nausea properties. Marijuana can improve their comfort and quality of life.

Additionally, cannabis can help manage symptoms like insomnia and anxiety and enhance overall well-being. In fct, it is especially beneficial as a sleep aid.

It helps relieve insomnia by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. Certain strains, especially those high in CBD, help improve sleep quality without the heavy sedative effects of traditional sleep medications.

This makes it a natural alternative for elderly patients struggling with sleep issues. Some cannabis strains also improve focus and concentration, helping seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.

 

What Medicines Should Not Be Taken With Cannabis?

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD in cannabis can interact with certain prescription medicines, resulting in adverse side effects. These side effects include bleeding complications, altered heart rate, aggression, memory loss, extreme confusion, etc.

THC is known to interact with over 400 prescription drugs, whereas CBD is known to interact with more than 540 drugs. These include:

• Sedatives: Cannabis itself is a sedative. When combined with other sedatives, like Benadryl, it can result in slower reflexes, slurred speech, and difficulty thinking and problem-solving.
• Anti-anxiety and anti-depression medicines: Cannabis can affect the way the body breaks down anti-anxiety (e.g., Xanax) and anti-depression medicines (e.g., Zoloft). When taken together, they can result in heart palpitations, hallucinations, etc.
• Pain medicines: The combination of pain medicines (e.g., codeine, Percocet) and cannabis can result in lower blood pressure, slow brain function, and extreme fatigue.

 

What Are The Side Effects Of CBD For The Elderly?

According to the American Medical Association, not only seniors, but people of all ages taking cannabis, need to be aware of its potential negative effects on the lungs, heart, and brain.

• Lungs: Smoking or vaping cannabis can result in lung injury due to the toxic substances found in cannabis smoke.
• Heart: Cannabis strains with higher THC levels can also impact the heart, resulting in heart palpitations, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, etc. This can increase the risk of strokes, cardiovascular diseases, and heart attacks.
• Brain: THC also affects the brain directly, resulting in paranoia and anxiety. This can cause psychosis.
• Poisoning: As mentioned earlier, cannabis can interact with certain medications. It can even impact your ability to drive and operate machinery. Some cannabis edibles and gummies often require 30 to 60 minutes to provide the “high” or pain-relieving effects. Consequently, people take more and more, resulting in an overdose.

 

Can An 80-Year-Old Take Cannabis?

It is natural for seniors to hesitate to take cannabis, since they are afraid of the aforementioned side effects, like dry mouth, dizziness, etc., and its impact on various organs.

However, studies have shown that older adults aged 75 and above can take cannabis under proper medical guidance without any adverse side effects, even while taking certain medications.

 

Promising Studies On Cannabis For The Elderly

One study was conducted on 2736 seniors aged 65 and over (the mean age of the trial participants was 75, give or take 7.5 years). Most patients were suffering from chronic pain or cancer.

After six months of treatment, over 93% of patients reported a reduced pain level and improved quality of life. 18% of patients reduced their intake of opioid analgesics, while some reduced the dose of these other medicines. The most common side effects of cannabis reported by the participants were dizziness and dry mouth.

The study concluded that the therapeutic use of cannabis is safe and efficacious for the elderly and may even reduce the use of certain medicines, including pain-relieving opioids. However, more evidence-based data and randomized-controlled trials are necessary.

 

A Word Of Caution

It is best to proceed with caution and discuss the possible side effects of taking cannabis with a physician. Understand that the right dosage of cannabis depends on various factors like age, height, weight, individual tolerance, and pre-existing health issues.

 

Cannabis For Seniors: Final Thoughts

Cannabis has shown promise in alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and improving sleep quality, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of seniors.

However, it is crucial for elderly users to be aware of potential interactions with prescription medications and to consult with healthcare professionals to determine the appropriate strains and dosages.

While cannabis can offer significant therapeutic benefits, its use must be carefully managed to avoid adverse effects such as dizziness, dry mouth, and interactions with other medications.

With proper medical guidance, cannabis can be a valuable addition to the therapeutic options available to the elderly, potentially reducing reliance on more harmful pharmaceuticals and improving their quality of life.