Cannabis slows down the aging process

8 Age-Related Conditions That Cannabis Can Treat

The elderly are much more prone to disease than any other age group, but cannabis is a safe alternative for seniors.

Cannabis has been proven to help a wide range of ailments that seniors are prone to. In fact, more seniors than ever are now discovering the benefits of using cannabis. A 2016 study revealed that there has been a 57.8% increase among adults aged between 50-64 who use cannabis. The researchers also found that there has been a 250% increase among cannabis users who are aged 65 and up. Another study also revealed that 97% of elderly patients say that cannabis helps them feel better, and reduces the need for prescription medications.

Cannabis is an effective treatment option for numerous conditions that the elderly are prone to. These are:

Chronic pain: Older people are vulnerable to pain caused by joint disorders, arthritis, nerve damage, and existing illnesses. Many seniors have to live with various types of pain, and the presence of other ailments such as difficulty hearing and dementia can make it challenging for them communicate their health needs. Instead of taking addictive and harmful opioid pain medications, cannabis is a proven remedy for virtually all forms of pain.

Post-surgery care: After any kind of surgical procedure, the elderly need to be extra careful due to the possibilities of postoperative pain. Pain intensity after surgery can increase the risk for anxiety, depression, pulmonary complications, prolonged hospital stays, and a reduced ability to function up to 6 months after the procedure. Using cannabis can safely help older people feel better both physically and mentally following an operation.

Neurological disease: Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s among the elderly are caused by neurological decline as we age. The risk for developing these conditions increases sharply after the age of 65. There is no known cure for these conditions, although cannabis has been shown to successfully slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.  Studies also show that cannabis may treat early stage dementia, and it also has the potential to remove plaque buildup in the brain, the primary culprit for neurological diseases.

Diabetes: A lifetime of eating sugar places seniors at risk for developing diabetes. While diabetes is not restricted to older adults, those above the age of 45 are prone to type 2 diabetes. Cannabis has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in reducing the arterial inflammation that occurs with diabetes, and it can also stabilize blood sugar. Additionally, studies show that cannabis can not only treat diabetes, but prevent it.

Cancer: The risk of developing cancer increases as we age. Studies show that 58% of cancers and 69% of cancer deaths occur in individuals aged 65 years and up. Cancer is one of the most widely-documented diseases that cannabis has been proven to treat. Furthermore, cannabis can also aid in reducing the discomfort of the side effects of chemotherapy. These include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain, depression, and insomnia.

Glaucoma: Individuals aged 60 and up are more prone to developing glaucoma, a condition that affects the eyes. Research proves that glaucoma responds to cannabis well – in fact, glaucoma is one of the most common conditions that cannabis is being used to treat. The use of cannabis for safely treating glaucoma has been known since the 60’s, thanks to its ability to decrease pressure in the eye almost immediately.

Irritable bowel syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome is common among those aged 50 and up. It can cause a number of side effects, including constipation or diarrhea as well as bloating and chronic abdominal pain – all of which cannabis can help with.

Menopause: Women aged 40 and up have to deal with the inevitable occurrence of menopause, which is when the menstrual cycle finally stops. Menopause comes with several uncomfortable side effects including hot flushes, mood changes, weight gain, urinary incontinence, and slowed metabolism. Hormone replacement therapy is typically prescribed for women whose menopause side effects are severe, although cannabis is a much safer option.