No matter how we might age, we still stay mostly the same inside. Seniors, though, face particular challenges and live lifestyles that might make CBD gummies and other popular CBD products affect them differently.
In the end, is it really a safe idea for seniors to take CBD gummies? We’ll explore all angles of this question throughout the following guide, helping seniors and their loved ones feel at ease when making wise CBD choices.
What Is CBD & What Does It Do?
CBD is a natural cannabinoid found in the Cannabis sativa plant, which is sometimes called “cannabis” or “hemp.” Unlike THC, another common cannabinoid, CBD is not intoxicating — it doesn’t get you high!
Instead, CBD has subtly relaxing effects that won’t zone you out or make it hard to focus. CBD gummies and other CBD products make you sleepy sometimes, but that can be part of the allure.
Benefits of CBD Gummies for Seniors
There is plenty of evidence suggesting that CBD might be of particular use to seniors navigating the issues that crop up during the sunset years of life. Here are 6 specific ways studies show CBD’s potential health benefits and seniors could be a perfect match:
1. Pain
In 2022, an international team of scientists performed a research review titled “Efficacy, Safety, and Regulation of Cannabidiol on Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review.” Through the course of this review, the research team determined that existing studies showed CBD is promising as “an excellent alternative to an opioid in chronic pain because CBD is non-intoxicating.” This is some of the best evidence we’ve received yet that CBD should be viewed as a promising pain and inflammation treatment.
2. Inflammation
CBD is widely believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. This position was seemingly confirmed in 2020 with the publication of a research review titled “Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol” in the journal Antioxidants. The authors of this review seemingly take it as a given that CBD has potential for the “therapeutic modulation of oxidative stress,” confirming this position again and again throughout their peer-reviewed paper.
3. Arthritis
A clinical human trial was recently published in the Journal of Hand Surgery titled “A Randomized Controlled Trial of Topical Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Thumb Basal Joint Arthritis.” (2022). Consisting of 10 otherwise healthy patients, the study found that CBD “treatment resulted in improvements” in “Visual Analog Scale pain; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores.”
4. Sleep
Confirming earlier results, a 2023 paper titled “Eight Weeks of Daily Cannabidiol Supplementation Improves Sleep Quality and Immune Cell Cytotoxicity” recently provided evidence that daily CBD intake as low as 50mg can still contribute significantly to sleep health. Consisting of 28 participants, this study eventually found that “daily 50 mg CBD may improve sleep quality.”
5. Dementia
There is limited evidence that CBD may be useful against Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. A 2022 review titled “Regulatory role of the endocannabinoid system on glial cells toward cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease,” for instance, concluded that “endocannabinoid stimulation promotes cognitive function via modulation of glial cells.”
6. Anxiety
Strong evidence has accumulated that CBD should be treated seriously as a potential anxiety treatment. One of the first pieces of scientific literature published on the subject still rings true. Titled “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders” and published in 2015, this seminal paper found that “CBD has considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders.”
Are CBD Gummies Safe for Seniors?
CBD gummies, CBD oils, and other CBD products are generally just as safe for seniors to take as they are for everyone else. Seniors may need to carefully consider, however, of any medications they are taking at the same time — especially prescription medications that come with a “grapefruit warning.” Senior citizens may also be more affected by the apparent vasodilatory effects of CBD, which can dangerously lower blood pressure.
Potential Side Effects of CBD for Seniors
If you are a senior, CBD might be more likely to have the following negative effects:
- Triggering narcolepsy (falling asleep unexpectedly)
- Lowering your blood pressure
- Extending or increasing the effects of other medications
- Dry mouth
- Sleepiness while performing tasks
- Gastrointestinal distress
Most seniors will experience none of these negative effects when using CBD, however.
Pros and Cons of CBD for Elderly
Using CBD is always a choice that has more to offer than it could ever take away. It’s also true, though, that seniors face challenges that might alter their approach to using CBD. Let’s examine some of the overall pros and cons of using CBD for the elderly:
Pros
- Evidence shows CBD might help with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
- Evidence shows CBD might improve sleep quality
- Evidence shows CBD might improve mood and reduce stress
- CBD is non-intoxicating
- High-quality CBD products are available on the internet
- CBD is legal
Cons
- CBD interacts with and can increase the effects of certain other medications
- CBD can make you sleepy
- CBD can sometimes upset your stomach
- CBD products could considerably lower your blood pressure
CBD Gummies Dosage to Take for Seniors
An average dose of CBD gummies for seniors is 25-50mg CBD. This equates to around 1-2 CBD gummies per serving.
Calculating a proper CBD dosage for gummies can become complicated depending on your circumstances. We recommend reviewing our full guide on CBD gummy dosage to have a clear idea of the right amount of CBD to take.
Is It Safe to Take CBD with Medications?
CBD can interact with other substances that use the CYP450 (also known as CYP3A4) channel for metabolism. This liver enzyme is critical in the metabolism of many common drugs, and CBD competes with other substances for CYP450 when they are ingested at the same time.
This isn’t usually a concern for CBD itself — CBD lasting longer and being stronger is often desirable. CBD can make other, more-dangerous substances last longer as well, though, which could negatively affect seniors or even lead to a medical emergency.
To make sure you’re adequately prepared, review our full CBD drug interactions list.
CBD Gummies vs. CBD Oil for Seniors
For seniors, CBD gummies and CBD oil generally have the same effects. There’s a lot to the way you take CBD, however, regardless of the fact that the effects of orally ingested CBD are roughly the same no matter which product type you use.
Here are a few ways CBD gummies are different from CBD oil as far as seniors are concerned:
- CBD gummies are tastier than CBD oil
- CBD gummies are easier to take than CBD oil
- CBD gummies make less mess than CBD oil
However, it’s also true that:
- CBD gummies contain sugar, while CBD oil does not
- CBD gummy ingredients are varied, while CBD gummies are very simple
- You can’t easily add CBD gummies to other food — but you can add CBD oil to practically anything you eat or drink
As you can see, the differences between CBD gummies and CBD tinctures are nuanced and well worthy of consideration — regardless of your age!
Best CBD Gummies for Seniors
For senior citizens, it’s even more important that CBD gummies are clearly labeled and high-quality. Potential CBD interactions aside, dangers are multiplied when CBD products contain additives or toxins.
As a result, seniors should choose the best of the best for their CBD gummies, and doing so requires educating yourself. What makes for the best CBD gummies you can buy online? Find out below:
Colorado Botanicals 25mg CBD Gummies
Featuring THC-free broad-spectrum CBD derived from the best organic hemp plants in Colorado, Colorado Botanicals 25mg CBD Gummies make it easy to take a higher dose of cannabidiol without worrying about what you’re allowing into your body.
Colorado Botanicals CBD products are made in an FDA-registered lab in full compliance with GMP and ISO standards. Our products receive full third-party lab screening to ensure no contaminants are present. This also ensures you are ingesting the exact amount of CBD you mean to use.
With a base of raw sugar and organic tapioca extract, everything in these gummies contributes to a healthier and better lifestyle. Colorado Botanicals CBD products come with a 60-day money-back guarantee — all shipping paid by us, and no fine print!
Colorado Botanicals 10mg CBD Gummies
There’s an easy way to start with a smaller dose while also reducing your initial investment in CBD gummies. Try Colorado Botanicals 10mg CBD Gummies first, which have a lower upfront price than our 25mg gummies while offering the same potential for dose customization. Aside from the reduced dose, these gummies are exactly the same as our 25mg option.
Colorado Botanicals Sleep CBD Gummies
There’s another product to consider, especially for those who tend to use CBD at nighttime: Colorado Botanicals 10mg CBD Gummies for Sleep, which feature melatonin and natural herbs alongside CBD to boost the cannabinoid’s relaxing power. These ingredients are added on to our base gummy formula to keep what already works while expanding the potential effects of our CBD Sleep Gummies.
CBD Gummies for Seniors: The Bottom Line
Senior citizens stand to benefit from CBD gummies more than perhaps any other group. Observing the benefits of a CBD product like full-spectrum CBD gummies, you’d be forgiven for thinking the cannabinoid came into existence purely for the benefit of the elderly.
The first method developed for removing THC from the equation, CBD isolate, left much to be desired. With the advent of broad-spectrum CBD gummies, however, seniors can have the best of both worlds — high-quality, natural CBD that stands absolutely no chance of getting them high.
Whether you’re taking CBD for pain relief, help sleeping, or any other reason, you can now see how CBD gummies are an excellent solution. In CBD, the potential benefits of the cannabis plant are brought out to their fullest, imparting profound healing you’ll enjoy all throughout your unique CBD journey.
