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Baby Boomers, Seniors, and CBD

There are over 109 million people over the age of 50 in the US today, including Baby Boomers aged 55 to 75.  Their interests and lifestyles are very different from those of the same age range from 20 years ago. 

In fact, this group doesn’t even like to be referred to as “seniors”.  They don’t behave like they are older, and they are living longer than generations of the past.

Their lifestyle, interests, and behavior does not mirror previous generations that came before them.  There are many reasons for that including advancements in medicine, food consumption, technology, and a wide array of health and wellness products and opportunities that are afforded to them.

People Love CBD

Nearly 1 in 11 of every American over the age of 50 now use some form of CBD product in their daily routine.  They are doing this regardless of the fact that there are still no crystal-clear guidelines from the FDA on its benefits.  And since there are so many brands and products out there making claims it’s essential that you carefully research the one you are considering so that you make the right choice.

Do Your Research

  • Make sure it’s grown in the USA by a farm which is licensed by the USDA or the relevant state agricultural authority
  • Make sure the ingredients are clearly labeled
  • Make sure they don’t make medical claims which are not permitted by the FDA
  • Make sure the product has been tested by an independent 3rd party lab. Ideally, these lab reports are available and preferably linked with a QR code on the package.
  • The manufacturer should be able to trace the finished product to the hemp which was grown by a licensed farmer, with supported lab reports which show the legality of the hemp the CBD was derived from, the CBD concentrate which was obtained via an extraction method which is approved by state authorities.  Make sure it is free of contaminants and unsafe elements, such as heavy metals, pesticides, microbials and mycotoxins, and residual solvents
  • Make sure that it’s gluten-free and vegan if you follow dietary requirements
  • Make sure there are consumer reviews of the product are verified by a qualified 3rd party provider

Consider Your Regimen

 When you have found a brand you want to use, you should consider the delivery method you prefer, i.e. topical vs ingestible.  Depending on what you are using the CBD for, the answer to this question should be easy to figure out. A good brand will offer a few different options.

Be Mindful of Any Prescriptions

After you’ve cut through the clutter on all of this, it’s important to first consult with your physician before purchasing.  You may be on prescriptions or over the counter medications and you would not want CBD to interfere with your treatment plan established by your healthcare practitioner.

 Once you settle on the brand and product, internal or topical, or both, think about how you intend to incorporate CBD into your daily wellness regimen, then you can select the product format and concentration which best suits your lifestyle. It’s helpful to consider a brand that offers a risk-free trial so that if you are not pleased with the product, you can return or exchange it.

There are a host of reasons consumers use CBD as an alternative to conventional medicines and incorporate CBD into their wellness routine after they have consulted with their physician:

Muscle and joint discomfort

Muscle and joint discomfort – CBD has been used in various forms of aiding with some of this discomfort.  Any discomfort brought on by stiff muscles and joints may be eased with application of CBD lotion or CBD tinctures.  The cannabinoids interact with your CB1 and CB2 receptors in the cells and can stimulate them to produce healthy cells.  This may reduce some of the swelling or inflammation of muscles and joints. There are scientific studies conducted to determine the efficacy of this.

Improvement of sleep cycle

Those over 50 may suffer from sleep disorders that include difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep or having an overall good night’s sleep.  Disruptions to your sleep cycle can impact other health issues and the overall quality of your life.  CBD may help to relax and calm the mind and potentially assist in improving your sleep pattern. There are scientific studies conducted on this very topic. 

CBD may provide a calming effect that may help you turn your “active mind” down a notch so that you are able to get some rest.  Worry over things can often keep the mind working overtime.  CBD may help reduce those thoughts and help quiet the mind down to promote sleep.

Stress Relief

CBD has been used by seniors and people of all ages to assist in treating stress and may also provide a feeling of well-being. Studies have shown that CBD may be effective in alleviating stress, but you should always consult with your physician first.  CBD provides an affordable and reasonable option if your physician agrees.

CBD has been used by seniors and people of all ages to assist in treating stress and may also provide a feeling of well-being. Studies have shown that CBD may be effective in alleviating stress, but you should always consult with your physician first.  CBD provides an affordable and reasonable option if your physician agrees.

CBD users that suffer from stress and/or discomfort also say that taking CBD helps alleviate symptoms that come with these issues. Although there is anecdotal evidence supporting the idea that CBD can relieve stress, researchers are still seeking further evidence to solidify these claims.

CBD research is still in its infancy, and there are many facets for scientists to look into before we can know if these claims are substantial. However, the future of CBD and stress relief looks bright based on customer reviews and other anecdotal evidence.

If you choose to use CBD to help mood stabilization, just know that although some users will swear by the results, it has not been proven and results can vary from user to user. If you think CBD may be helpful for your stress, make sure that you purchase your products from a trusted CBD  source.

Bone density

Bone density begins to deteriorate as we age, and it can be the cause of bone fractures and fragility of the bones.  CBD may have some surprising benefits for seniors as it relates to bone strength. Studies have shown that CBD may work in assisting with the health and preservation of healthy bones.  The cannabinoids found in CBD interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors that can be found in the bone tissue cells.  Again, as we always suggest, it’s important to consult with your physician before considering this.

Increase appetite

One common challenge seniors face is tied to the amount of food they consume daily.  Often, as we age, we tend to decrease our daily intake of food.  In some cases, if an older person is living alone, they may not have the means or the motivation to prepare a meal that is for only one person.  Eating regularly promotes a healthy mind, body, and soul. 

It is essential for a senior and a person of any age to maintain a healthy body which means eating meals regularly and in the amount the body needs.  CBD may assist with appetite issues and may even make the food more enjoyable. It may stimulate the appetite as well. A recent study substantiates that CBD can improve appetite.

Relieves nausea

As we get older and for some people of all ages, if we are taking medications or having changes to our body, we may experience nausea which can reduce interest in eating which results in health challenges.  CBD may help alleviate nausea and reduce vomiting.  Historically, many cultures across the globe have used it for its ability to reduce nausea and vomiting. There are recent studies that provide insight on the effectiveness of this.

CBD is Not Medication

It’s important to underscore that there are many important differences between CBD and conventional medicines.  Medicines made by pharmaceutical companies are usually (but not always) manufactured and many contain chemicals and artificial inputs. CBD, on the other hand, is plant-based, comes from the hemp plant, and is extracted from the plant and added to other ingredients to create the products available for purchase. 

Before considering CBD, It is essential that you confirm with your physician or healthcare practitioner that incorporating CBD into your regimen will not adversely interact with any of your necessary medications and if there are any potential side effects.

The Versatility of CBD

CBD does not require a prescription and it’s relatively easy to purchase from a reliable and trusted source. Most CBD sellers do not have a license to grow hemp/CBD, so check your source before you buy it.   CBD comes in different forms from tinctures to creams and lip-balms, to soft-gel capsules.  You can select a type that is best suited for your desired need or outcome and what works best with your lifestyle.

How CBD Works Internally

By now you’ve heard the claims, you’ve heard what the benefits can be, but how does it work? Why is it so effective, and how do we know we can trust it? Let’s dive into the scientific side of CBD, what we know for sure, and why it works the way it does.

What is CBD?

CBD is a shorthand term for cannabidiol, and it is an extract taken from the hemp plant. Cannabidiol is one of the hundreds of cannabinoid extracts that can be found in the plant. CBD is special because unlike its popular sibling THC, it is non psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t make you feel “high.” CBD allows the user to experience all of the natural benefits that hemp has to offer such as stress relief, sleep aid, etcetera, without the unwanted side effects of using THC.

CBD is a completely legal, completely natural extract that can be added to a daily routine of supplements. As great as CBD is, it is important to remember it is not a replacement for medication unless your physician approves it. Many users of CBD enjoy the relaxing effects it has, for aiding in sleep or general relaxation.

How does it work?

Within our own bodies, there is a separate and intricate system known as the endocannabinoid system. When CBD (or any other cannabinoid) is ingested, it makes its way into the bloodstream to meet up with this system and communicates with the endocannabinoid receptors. You read that correctly, there is an already-in-place system within the nervous system of the human body to receive and use CBD along with a number of other cannabinoids.

The way CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system is what allows you to feel the benefits it has to offer as a supplement. The endocannabinoid system is powerful and far-reaching, has only recently been discovered and much work is being done to fully understand, but we do know it can affect your appetite, mood, and other components of the mind.

Skincare 

Another understated benefit that CBD can give is a healthy, youthful glow for your skin. Taking good care of your skin and having a set skincare regimen is important at any age, but as you get older skincare becomes an imperative part of your self-care and beauty routines.

There are many CBD skincare options, ranging from CBD infused lotions and moisturizers, to simply applying CBD tinctures directly on the skin.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that applying CBD topically may help with a range of skin concerns, such as acne, sunburn, bug bites, and poison ivy, as CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. Topical use of CBD also allows you to benefit internally from all the good things CBD has to offer, it soaks into the pores, communicates with the sebaceous gland, and finds its way to the endocannabinoid system to be dispersed where it is needed, but for the most part, topical application of CBD products has the greatest effect on the areas in which it is applied.

CBD can be infused in lotions, bath salts, bubble bath products, shower gel, face masks and so much more. 

Finding the Suggested Amount and Product for your Needs 

CBD is not a medication; therefore, you cannot receive a prescription for a recommended dosage based on your personal needs. Finding the correct amount of CBD to use can seem a bit tricky, but once you’ve figured out what works for you, it makes all the research and trial worth it.

What product is the best for you?

With the seemingly unlimited amount of available CBD products on the market, it can be easy to feel lost or overwhelmed when trying to find a good product to get started with, so here are some tips to make your shopping a little easier and more organized. Start with what products interest you most, does the idea of a CBD chocolate bar make you excited? Or do you feel more inclined to use a tincture or a topical lotion or cream? Consider your main reason for using CBD, is it for sleep? Or is it to bring some life and glow back to your skin, or to soothe achy muscles? This should give you a little more insight into the right product for your needs.

Want to use a tincture, but unsure of what the classifications mean?

Since we are going over the different products available on the market, let's dive a little deeper into tinctures and what the different labels of tinctures and forms of CBD contained in them mean. First of all, if you are unfamiliar tinctures are a concentrated liquid form of CBD that you can ingest orally or apply topically. A tincture is typically concentrated CBD dissolved in a carrier agent, such as hemp seed oil or MCT (coconut oil). The three main classifications for tinctures are full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate, which derives their name from the form of CBD contained in them.

  • Full-spectrum CBD tinctures contain cannabidiol, as well as other compounds  from the cannabis plant. This primarily includes other cannabinoids, and most of the time, trace amounts of THC. The amount of THC in these tinctures is not enough to make the CBD psychoactive and is 0.3% or lower, however, some CBD users strictly want to stay away from THC no matter what. Depending on the level of distillation, full spectrum CBD can contain other plant derived inputs such as flavonoids, terpenes and a whole host of other hemp derived compounds, which are still being documented. Full-spectrum tinctures are great for CBD users who want a more rounded wellness experience and want to reap the benefits of the other cannabinoids that come along. This is the most natural and least processed CBD tincture option.
  • Broad Spectrum CBD tinctures are very similar to full-spectrum, they have had  all delta-9 THC removed. Broad-spectrum also has the added benefits of other cannabinoids, such as CBD, CBDv, CBN or CBG, which bring their own wellness benefits in addition to the natural benefits of CBD..
  • Isolate CBD tinctures are the purest form of CBD. Isolate tinctures get their name because they only contain CBD and no other cannabis derived compounds. As with each of these tincture options, there are pros and cons to isolate tinctures. Since this is the purest version of CBD, it is also the most processed, in order to remove all the other cannabinoids, extracts, and terpenes.
  • From an efficacy perspective, full spectrum is believed to have the greatest impact as it has had fewer hemp derived compounds removed, while broad spectrum is the next as it is full spectrum CBD with the THC removed, and isolate has had the most inputs from the hemp plant removed. 

As with all CBD products, it is easy to get swept away in the sheer number of choices and options and it can feel overwhelming to find the best fit for you. With so many options out there, it's important to remember there is no absolute perfect fit, but a number of good options that will give you the benefits you seek. Trying out different modes of CBD is the only way to truly find what you like, and what you don’t.

What amount is right for you?

Start with the manufacturer's recommendation, any CBD infused product you can find will have a recommended amount or usage amount. Start with this and evaluate how you feel. Was this dose enough to help you sleep? Did you fall asleep too fast? Evaluate how effective the amount was for your needs and adjust from there. If the suggested amount didn’t quite help you fall asleep, consider taking a little bit more the next night.

If you fall asleep too quickly, dial the amount back a little bit. The end goal of taking any CBD product is to fit your personal needs that are unique to you and your lifestyle, so look at a recommended dose or usage amount as a suggestion to start off with, and not an end-all prescription.

You might visit the usage guide page on High Falls Hemp NY’s website for advice on figuring out the optimal amount of CBD for each individual to take.

Why is CBD So Popular?

With the legalization of marijuana in many states, the popularity of its sister cannabinoid CBD has skyrocketed. CBD users love that they can enjoy the benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive results that came with the use of THC.

The pure versatility of CBD allows many users from all walks of life to find a perfect match for their lifestyle needs. CBD is a perfectly legal way to indulge in hemp without the fear of feeling “high” or experiencing a hemp hangover.

You cannot overdose on CBD, and if the effects of a dose are too strong you can simply adjust it for the next time you use it. CBD is vastly popular with American adults, 1 in every 7 uses some kind of CBD infused product on a daily basis. Many regular users of CBD are happy to share their success stories and tell everyone they know about the amazing results they have experienced.

In Closing

One thing is for sure, people are living longer today thanks to the incredible advances in medical science. Those over 50, including boomers and seniors, are more active and connected and have greater demands on controlling their health and well-being.  Many may wish to consider holistic approaches to their wellness and are more open to considering CBD as an alternative to conventional remedies.