CBD is a famous cannabis compound that has gained immense popularity since the 2018 farm bill making hemp and all hemp derivatives with up to .3% THC legal for purchase and consumption. Now millions of Americans use CBD for varying needs, and seniors are no exception. 8% of people aged 65 and older use CBD, and 89% of seniors who tried CBD said they would recommend it for health-related purposes to a family member or friend, so the number of senior CBD consumers is expected to grow. 

Health issues such as chronic pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, and memory problems are more common amongst older adults. CBD's rising popularity amongst the older generation may make you wonder if the famous cannabis compound can help with health problems you might be experiencing as a senior and if it's worth trying, so here's everything you need to know. 

What is CBD?

CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabis compound that doesn't produce mind-altering symptoms. It is a natural ingredient in the cannabis plant, and although marijuana also features CBD, CBD on the market derives from hemp. It's a cousin plant to marijuana which, unlike its relative, has only trace amounts of THC – the psychoactive compound in cannabis; therefore, it doesn't get consumers high. CBD is available in the form of oil, softgels, edibles, and topicals. Many people already have CBD in some form in their self-care routines for empowering their wellness. 

Hemp-derived CBD is:Safe to consume daily

• Federally legal in the U.S.
• Natural Ingredient
• Non-impairing
• Non-addictive
• A trending wellness solution

Is CBD Oil Effective for Seniors?

Although CBD can sound promising, and it may indeed deliver astonishing results for some consumers, the way it will affect you depends on numerous factors, including body chemistry, weight, health conditions, and the product type you choose. Still, millions of Americans have already included CBD into their routines, and you may also want to give it a try, which is the best way to see if it's effective for you, depending on what you're trying to achieve. 

How Does CBD work?

CBD delivers its results through the interaction with the system all of us have in common, and that's the endocannabinoid system (ECS).  First discovered in the late 20th century, ECS turns out to be a crucial system in our body, playing a vital role in numerous body processes, including memory, pain, stress, and homeostasis. ECS is now thought to be one of the most important physiologic systems for our health.

ECS consists of endocannabinoids that interact with ECS receptors throughout the human body grouped into two categories CB1 and CB2. Cannabinoids like CBD and endocannabinoids are structurally alike, so when we consume CBD, it can supply ECS and affect bodily functions. 

Why Should Seniors Try CBD?

CBD delivers varying outcomes amongst CBD consumers depending on numerous factors, so people use the famous cannabis compound for different reasons.  Per the CBD Consumer report in 2019, the most common reasons people use CBD are:

• Relieving aches and discomfort (58.1%)
• relaxation (50%) 
• muscle soreness and recovery (41%). 

All these health issues like chronic pain, stress and anxiety, and muscle soreness are more common amongst seniors than in other age groups. 

Chronic pain affects more than 50% of older adults living in the community and more than 80% of older adults living in nursing homes. Arthritis affects 47.4% of seniors, usually bringing chronic pain and sometimes disabling discomfort into their lives. 

Seniors are more prone to suffer from chronic pain than younger generations, and they are looking for natural solutions that won't cause unwanted side effects or interact with their medications. CBD has become a popular product amongst older adults because it's proved not to be harmful to health, doesn't deliver unwanted side effects, and is a non-addictive solution.  Per the World Health Organization's report, "In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD." 

Seniors are also more susceptible to stress and anxiety due to numerous issues with age like caring for a sick spouse, chronic disease, death of loved ones, or deterioration of physical abilities. The stressors for seniors have increased during the global pandemic as now they face a significant risk of developing severe illness compared to other age groups if they contract the disease. Many older adults need to self-isolate themselves and keep their distance from their loved ones, worsening their stress and depression. Now one in four Older Adults ages 65 and older report anxiety or depression amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of that, anxiety can worsen and be a symptom of more severe health conditions like dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Globally, 15% of the elderly population suffers from mental disorders, and stress is one major mental health problem affecting 10–55% of the elderly population.

Seniors are also more likely to experience muscle soreness. As people age, their muscle fibers become less dense, making them less flexible and more vulnerable to injury and soreness. Seniors can experience muscle soreness even after simple activities like exercise, jogging, gardening, or playing sports.

CBD Products for Seniors: Which Ones to Choose 

Oral CBD Products

CBD comes in different product types that fall into two categories: Oral CBD products and CBD topicals. Oral CBD products are popular amongst CBD consumers, and they come in the form of edibles, tinctures, and topicals. 

CBD edibles are any CBD-infused food or drinks, with the most common form of edibles being CBD gummies. They are the best option for those looking for a delicious and fun CBD experience and come in numerous flavors and predetermined CBD doses. Edibles are easy to consume, have a long shelf life, and are easy to carry around. Seniors who want a delicious snack between meals may find edibles a great choice. However, CBD gummies need to go through the digestive tract before delivering results, so it may take up to an hour for CBD through edibles to kick in.  

Tinctures are CBD oral drops designed for sublingual administration. They provide the fastest results due to the sublingual blood vessels allowing CBD to travel directly to the bloodstream bypassing the digestive tract. Tinctures also come in varying flavors, and unlike CBD gummies, they enable consumers to carefully measure the amount of the compound to consume through a dropper applicator.

CBD softgels are also popular amongst seniors, as they are easy to swallow as, unlike capsules, they have a softshell.  They also come in predetermined CBD doses and don't need any prep work, therefore, providing an effortless way of consuming CBD for those looking for a flavorless and convenient CBD experience. 

Topical CBD products

Topical CBD products like CBD salves, creams, and moisturizers work outside of the body, and they-re great for older adults who want to apply the cannabis compound directly to the skin in a localized area. Topicals usually combine CBD extract with other nourishing ingredients that might help nutrify and soothe the skin and help relieve discomfort. Many consumers use CBD topicals for pain and joint discomfort, including athletes and older adults.

Full-Spectrum vs. Broad-Spectrum CBD

CBD products vary in cannabinoid profiles and fall into two categories – broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD. 

Full-spectrum CBD features all active compounds in cannabis, including the psychoactive THC in federally legal amounts.  Full-spectrum CBD is popular due to the famous theory, the Entourage Effect, according to which cannabinoids deliver better results when consumed together instead of taking them alone. 

Broad-spectrum CBD products also feature all the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant but don't contain even the trace amounts of THC. Seniors who want to benefit from the entourage effect but want to stay away even from the minuscule amounts of THC may find broad-spectrum CBD a better choice. 

Third-Party Lab Testing

New CBD brands appear every day in response to the increased demand for CBD products. Some cut corners in their production methods; what's worse, some brands even mislabel their products, so they might contain different ingredients or amounts from what you see on the label. Many products have higher than federally allowed THC content or less CBD than indicated on the label. The best way for seniors to ensure they are acquiring a safe and effective product is to look for third-party lab tests on a company's website that confirms its ingredients.

Are You Searching for Safe and Effective CBD? Shop at Primabee

Finding a safe and effective CBD product can be a hustle for anyone regardless of age, but, luckily, you don't need to browse countless sites and stores to find what you need. At Primabee, we provide seniors with varying CBD product options to choose from, and more importantly, everything we offer is of the highest quality. We prove our claims through third-party lab testing, so you'll never have to question the quality of CBD you consume.

Our products are:

• Free of harsh chemicals and pesticides
• Safe to consume daily
• Third-party lab tested
• Vegan Friendly / Gluten-Free
• Cruelty-Free
• Pet-Friendly
• Legal in All 50 States
• USA Grown / Non-GMO
• LO2NoTHC* - removing the unwanted THC and refining our CBD to remove undesired compounds like wax, chlorophyll, and plant pigments.
• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

At Primabee, you can nurture yourself with premium CBD that brings only the desired outcomes. If you are still searching for a safe and effective product, shop at Primabee, and we will deliver CBD of your choice straight to your door for free.