The benefits of CBD oil to seniors
There are three types of CBD affecting seniors differently; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Some CBD oil benefits for seniors are sleep, pain, and mental health. However, the benefits are yet to be approved clinically.
The hemp plant continues to gain popularity as more health and wellness benefits are attached. Hemp and cannabis contain various elements with unique properties such as ant-inflammatory believed to be useful in improving general health and wellness. Common elements of the hemp plant with beneficial properties are cannabidiol (CBD), terpenes, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and flavonoids. The presence or absence of either of the elements in CBD oil determines the type of CBD. The three types of CBD oil are isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum. Each of the three types is believed to offer unique health benefits to its users.
Types Of CBD Oil
Brands prefer different extraction methods for obtaining each useful element used for manufacturing either full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate CBD. Full-spectrum CBD oil is the most popular.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil
Full-spectrum is also called the whole plant (Maayah et al., 2020). Most manufacturers find it easy to manufacture because they use all the elements of the hemp plant. Therefore, they face less struggle to extract specific elements. Full-spectrum CBD oil comprises THC, CBD, flavonoids, and terpenes. The presence of various elements helps in offering an entourage effect. This is the ability of various elements to provide more therapeutic benefits than a single element. Unique properties of each element blend to offer more benefits. Full-spectrum CBD is useful to seniors to minimize pain, stress, and depression. However, the presence of THC results in doubts regarding its effectiveness, being a psychoactive element.
Most brands try ensuring THC levels in full-spectrum CBD oil are below 0.3%, the amounts found in the hemp plant. Some brands have been having issues regarding potency levels of their CBD products, and THC levels have rare cases. However, the manufacturers do their best; consumers should take personal responsibility and ensure they minimize the total intake. High quantities of full-spectrum CBD oil results in THC accumulation, which overwhelms the body. This triggers intoxicating side effects, including anxiety, poor memory, severe headaches, and poor appetite.
Broad Spectrum
Broad-spectrum CBD oil seems to be the best solution because of the benefits of various elements of the hemp plant. It comprises all the elements of hemp except THC. Broad-spectrum CBD oil also offers an entourage effect without exposing the user to the side effects of THC. According to de Assis et al. (2021), the benefits of broad-spectrum CBD oil include reducing anxiety, depression, stress, and pain. However, the absence of THC shouldn’t be a leeway for taking too much or highly concentrated broad-spectrum CBD oil. This is because of cases of experiencing THC-related side effects. Therefore, consider taking considerable amounts. The concentration impact varies depending on the experience and immunity system.
A strong immunity system is likely to fight the side effects of CBD or THC. On the contrary, a weak one will be overwhelmed by high potency levels. Therefore, its important to assess the immunity system before using CBD oil products. Also, it is recommended to talk to a medical practitioner to assess the impact of CBD on your health fast. Besides, the experience of CBD oil also determines whether it is likely to affect a user. Veterans are likely to experience the side effects of broad-spectrum CBD oil by taking a higher concentration than usual. On the contrary, the impact of CBD oil on the novices could be triggered by low potency levels.
Isolate
Isolate CBD oil is manufactured using pure CBD. It is void of terpenes, flavonoids, and THC. Isolate CBD oil is suitable for consumers to avoid the intoxicating side effects of THC. However, it can only benefit seniors interested in CBD oil and not terpenes, flavonoids, and THC.
CBD Oil For Sleep
A large portion of the US population is either fighting insomnia or poor sleeping patterns. Research has been ongoing to find a better solution, but the solution is yet to be found. The impact of CBD oil on our general health and wellness suggests that CBD oil can create a better sleeping environment. It is important to note that CBD does not treat sleep but helps address contributing factors. The claimed factors include stress, anxiety, and pain. Stress is among the top factors for lack of sleep, followed by pain. Many Americans suffer from stress which might hinder them from catching enough sleep. This makes CBD oil suitable for seniors struggling with sleep.
CBD Oil For Pain
Pain is generally disturbing and unbearable. It disrupts the peace of mind by shifting one’s attention to it. VanDolah et al. (2019, September) reported that the hemp plant has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain. This works for both external and internal pain. However, seniors should use a considerable amount to avoid CBD-related side effects.
CBD Oil For Mental Health
Mental health and stability are very important for one’s daily duties. Being disturbed or stressed by various issues lowers productivity. Lessenger & Feinberg (2008) suggested that pharmaceutical drugs enhance mental health; they can result in agitation, insomnia, headaches, and sexual dysfunction rather than offering a solution. However, CBD oil has shown promising results for treating mental health, including anxiety and stress. This is because it interacts with B1 receptors around the mind regulating hormones triggering stress. However, the research is yet to be approved as clinical.
Can CBD Oil Make You High?
Although CBD oil offers various health and wellness benefits to seniors, it also has potential threats. THC triggers the “high” effect On CBD oil. Therefore, full-spectrum CBD oil users will likely experience this unless they take considerable amounts. Seniors likely to go for drug tests are recommended to use broad-spectrum and isolate CBD oil because they are void of THC, unlike full spectrum.
Conclusion
Although CBD oil is associated with various health and wellness benefits to seniors, some are not approved. The only use of CBD oil approved by the FDA is treating epilepsy. However, various research trying to prove CBD oil’s impact on seniors has shown promising results yet to be approved as clinical benefits. Seniors should also consider the side effects of taking highly concentrated CBD oil. The common negative implications are anxiety and severe headaches. However, they are likely to come from full-spectrum CBD oil since it has THC.
References
De Assis, P. M., Ferrarini, E. G., Baldasso, G. M., Paes, R. S., Gouvêa, M. C., Segundo, C. E. N., … & Raposo, N. R. B. (2021). Broad-Spectrum Cannabis Oil Alleviates Behavioral Symptoms Associated With Stress-Related Anxiety And Depression In Mice. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 28(2), 239-250.
Lessenger, J. E., & Feinberg, S. D. (2008). Abuse Of Prescription And Over-The-Counter Medications. The Journal Of The American Board Of Family Medicine, 21(1), 45-54.
Maayah, Z. H., Takahara, S., Ferdaoussi, M., & Dyck, J. R. (2020). The Molecular Mechanisms That Underpin The Biological Benefits Of Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extract In The Treatment Of Neuropathic Pain And Inflammation. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Basis Of Disease, 1866(7), 165771.
Vandolah, H. J., Bauer, B. A., & Mauck, K. F. (2019, September). Clinicians’ Guide To Cannabidiol And Hemp Oils. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 94, No. 9, Pp. 1840-1851). Elsevier.
Anastasia Filipenko is a health and wellness psychologist, dermatolist and a freelance writer. She frequently covers beauty and skincare, food trends and nutrition, health and fitness and relationships. When she’s not trying out new skincare products, you’ll find her taking a cycling class, doing yoga, reading in the park, or trying a new recipe.
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