CBD Oil – Is It Right For Men 50 and Over?

CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, and is a chemical compound from the cannabiscannabis, or marijuana plant. It does not contain THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, and so does not provide the euphoric high typically associated with marijuana. While this quality might be a turnoff for some, cannabidiol has been a natural remedy for many health issues like pain relief and anxiety relief for decades. CBD oil is a non-intoxicating substance extracted from the whole marijuana plant, not to be confused with hemp oil, which may contain THC.

Often taken orally as a tincture (plant or animal extract), it’s used by people of all ages for various reasons from easing arthritis pain and controlling seizures in children. Current evidence suggests that CBD oil is safe to use, but if you take other medications check with your doctor first. Medscape shares that it seems to be safe with no addictive qualities and there are no reports of CBD overdose. And while we’re not promoting any specific companies or products, there are some benefits of CBD oil worth considering.

Manage Pain

When we get older, we become more susceptible to pain from sports activities or health problems. Luckily, managing pain is one of the most popular uses of CBD oil. In fact, it turns out that humans have CB2 receptors in the central nervous system, that play a role in regulating immunity, inflammation and pain. Cannabinoids may naturally attach to these receptors resulting in the reduction of pain and inflammation. (1) Other research showed that CBD blocked pain from osteoarthritis and even prevented further joint pain and damage. (2)

Relief from Anxiety and Depression

CBD oil may be helpful for anxiety, depression and even PTSD, but without the intoxicating effect of medications or products that contain THC. Multiple studies have shown that it can block some aversive memories, while it reduces hyperactivity in the amygdala; a part of the brain that has an exaggerated response to stimuli in patients with PTSD. (3) Other studies show CBD oil has positive effects on other forms of anxiety and anxiety-induced depression.

Stimulate Appetite

One general health problem with older folks is the loss of appetite, which can lead to muscle weakness and atrophy. CBD oil has shown just as useful as marijuana as an appetite stimulant, and those who use it naturally consume more food. But be sure to pay attention to what you eat, because we still require more nutrient-dense foods as we get older.

Prevention of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that erodes memory and cognitive skills. Early studies are showing promising results as CBD seems to promote the development and growth of brain cells, resulting in healthier brain function. (4) CBD oil also reverses internal inflammation, which is a major contributor to Alzheimer’s disease. And best of all, it may even help clear protein buildups that prevent the transfer of signals between brain cells, which is a contributor to Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Dementia is a neurological condition that results in a decline of cognitive skills and memory, and can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Current research suggests that CBD oil can help manage agitation and anxiety associated with this condition and, as we have seen above, may even prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s by reducing protein buildups in the brain.

Lower Blood Pressure

If you suffer from high blood pressure, you could be at risk for several other health consequences like blood clots, stroke, heart attack and dementia. Sadly, medications for this condition can come with side effects including fatigue, headache and even erection problems. But recent studies show that cannabinoids are natural vasodilators that open (or dilate) the blood vessels to allow blood to more easily flow, resulting in lowered blood pressure. In fact, one randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study conducted on adult males showed a reduced systolic pressure at an average of 5mmHg after stress and 6 mmHg during rest!

Diabetes Prevention

While the jury is still out, some promising evidence is emerging that CBD oil may help with diabetes management. One study published in the Journal of Diabetes Care examined the effect of cannabis compounds including CBD and THVC, which is another compound found in cannabis. They found that CBD had a positive impact on insulin resistance, which is exciting news for the future of diabetes prevention and management as more studies come to light.

Insomnia Relief

According to the National Sleep Foundation, changes in sleep patterns occur as we get older. It becomes more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep resulting in low energy and fatigue during waking hours. Worse yet, older adults experience a decline in REM sleep, which is linked to a higher risk for anxiety and depression.

But CBD oil can help you sleep better and longer. Its effect on pain relief can help you sleep through the night as you feel more comfortable. In a 2019 study, 72 subjects were given 25 milligrams of CBD oil each day. After one month, nearly 80% of the patients reported less anxiety while nearly 67% had better sleep. (5) Other research showed it to be helpful for insomnia by improving REM sleep, resulting in more energy during the day.

Drug Replacement

With the rise in opioid addiction and chronic disease, some feel that using CBD oil as a drug replacement can ease the population of the sometimes-devastating effects of prescription medications. For example, opioid medications are commonly prescribed for pain from arthritis, fibromyalgia, and injuries, which seem to afflict older people more than any other population. Replacing opioid medications with CBD oil can reduce the risk of addiction and other side effects of opioids, like lowered blood pressure, sexual dysfunction and urinary retention.

Final Thoughts

As we have seen above, CBD oil also shows promising results for managing high blood pressure, may ward of Alzheimer’s and dementia and provide relief from depression, which often affects older adults. As we always say though – before you try any supplemental or pain relief product, talk with your doctor to make sure you’re not affecting any other prescribed medication(s) or medical programs your doctor has you on.

We hope you found this blog useful and are able to answer any questions you had about CDB Oil. Anything we missed? Leave us a comment below or reach out to Glen directly through our Contact page.

References:

1 Russo EB. Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008;4(1):245–259. doi:10.2147/tcrm.s1928

2 Philpott HT, OʼBrien M, McDougall JJ. Attenuation of early phase inflammation by cannabidiol prevents pain and nerve damage in rat osteoarthritis. Pain. 2017;158(12):2442–2451. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001052

3 M., R., Takahashi, & N., R. (2018, July 3). Cannabidiol as a Therapeutic Alternative for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: From Bench Research to Confirmation in Human Trials. Retrieved October 30, 2019, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2018.00502/full.

4 Watt G, Karl T. In vivo Evidence for Therapeutic Properties of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:20. Published 2017 Feb 3. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00020

5 Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. Perm J. 2019;23:18–041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041