Does Marijuana Put Seniors At Risk?
In the modern day, you can hear about the ever-growing topic of marijuana just about as frequently as the weather. Many states are making new rules and passing laws on traveling with marijuana through different states. These laws impact many that use the plant, from the young to older adults. While we are on the topic of older adults, an interesting question is, "Does using marijuana at an older age put you at any significant risk compared to other age groups?" Older adults have used medical marijuana to improve sleep, reduce constant pain, and control inflammation. However, some potential risks could be associated with marijuana use, particularly for adults with underlying medical conditions or comorbidities. Before deciding to use marijuana, looking at your situation and weighing the pros and cons is essential. Read as we take a look at this issue and see what older adults should be aware of.
How Can Marijuana Help Seniors?
As many of our previous articles have shown, medical marijuana can potentially treat many symptoms. In the case of senior citizens, the plant can help with conditions associated with aging. Your spine changes as you age, becoming more delicate and prone to pain. Most people's first back pain symptoms appear between the ages of 30-50, worsening from there. Often, age-related back pain is caused by general wear and tear as you age. With back pain being more of a problem for older adults looking for relief can determine how productive you can be. Chronic pain is a common problem among seniors, and medical marijuana effectively treats it. Cannabinoids in marijuana interact with the body's ECS to reduce inflammation and pain.
Because your body produces less growth hormone as you age, you will likely experience decreased deep sleep. Deep sleep is a topic we have covered in the past. While in this stage of sleep, your body works on repairing and maintaining cognitive functions like memory. Typically, the average adult needs about 13-23 percent of deep sleep to maintain a healthy life. When you are not getting enough deep sleep, your body produces less melatonin, resulting in more fragmented sleep and waking up more frequently at night. This may seem minor, but consistent issues may lead to a weaker immune response and an increased chance of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's later in life.
Studies have been done on the connection between cannabis and Alzheimer's disease. In 2018 one of these studies was published by the Journal of Pharmacopuncture. The study reviewed previous information on the topic and looked at the trend of the overall research. The results showed that CBD could effectively treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease(AD). This is because CBD could suppress the main causal factors of AD. There is even information that combining THC and CBD could be more useful than the compounds alone. Similar to the idea of the entourage effect.
Older adults dealing with multiple sclerosis or MS have also shown the positives of using medical marijuana. Just a few of the common side effects of MS include fatigue, muscle spasms, and mobility issues. Studies show that medical marijuana can assist in preventing muscle spasms and improve mobility in strains low in THC. A study titled, The Efficacy of Cannabis on Multiple Sclerosis-Related Symptoms, found that most clinical studies found positive effects. The method of administration also played a role in how positive the results were. Patients given oral cannabinoids showed the greatest improvement in their condition, while the spray group showed less positive results.
Is marijuana safe for older adults?
Medical marijuana(MMJ) has shown potential benefits in helping adults and even application as a medicine. However, the potential risks should still be examined to know the full extent of using the plant. MMJ may interact with other drugs, which can pose a threat. Knowing how and what drugs interact with marijuana is critical to ensure no mistakes are made. Generally, the older you are, the more likely you are to be using many prescription medications, so having a conversation with your doctor is the first step to avoiding any potential problems.
Another possible concern when using MMJ is the potential for slips and falls. THC is the psychoactive part of the Cannabis sativa plant. This means that the compound can alter your brain and change how you move and feel. According to the CDC, more than one in four Americans over the age of 65 reports falling each year. Losing balance of falling can mean serve injury or even worse. Sticking to MMJ products that are low in THC and high in CBD can be the happy middle ground you can play to remain safe. There are even CBD products with little to no THC present.
You might also want to avoid smoking marijuana as it can harm your lungs and lead to breathing problems. Don't worry; there are several ways of taking MMJ, such as using tinctures, oils, edibles, and creams.
Concerns
One of the few possible concerns for those thinking about using MMJ to treat age-related issues is that MMJ remains an out-of-pocket expense for the most part. Many prescribed MMJ may expect to pay without insurance covering some of the balance. This is due to marijuana still being classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law. Currently, it is rare for insurance companies to provide coverage for medical marijuana. This includes Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, and other private insurance plans.MMJ cost depends on the product type and where a patient purchases it. Many states have different tax policies, which may result in some of the burden of cultivation and sale being passed to consumers.
There is some concern over the regulation of cannabis-related products. Reports have found that trace amounts of sildenafil and arsenic have been in some marijuana products. These chemicals can put patients at risk. Using credible and trustworthy products can help lower your risk of exposing yourself to potential contaminants. Additionally, there needs to be a push to develop dosing guidelines for cannabis-based medications.
Cannabis for Seniors - Tips for Older Adults Trying Cannabis
Medical marijuana can be a valuable tool for managing pain and symptoms of certain medical conditions in older adults. However, seniors need to use medical marijuana safely and responsibly to avoid potential adverse effects. To say on the safe side, follow these steps:
Talk to your doctor
Start with a low dose
Use alternative forms
Use it responsibly
Be aware of potential side effects
By following these tips, older adults can use medical marijuana safely and responsibly to improve their quality of life. For more information on what conditions medical can treat, visit our conditions page.
