Cannabis use has grown a lot among older adults. As more places allow it for health and fun reasons, older people use it more to handle long-lasting pain, worry, trouble sleeping, and other health problems that often come with aging.
People talk a lot about how cannabis might help older adults, but we need to think about the downsides, too. In this article, we’ll look at the risks when older adults use cannabis, venture into tips, and use it safely. Without further ado, let’s begin!
The Growing Trend of Cannabis
The number of older adults using cannabis is on the rise.
A study shows that cannabis use among U.S. adults 65 and older jumped from 2.4% in 2015 to 4.2% in 2018, and from there, it kept on increasing each year. Pretty shocking! This increase has an impact on several things. However, research backs up the health benefits of cannabis.
As the world progresses, people are starting to see cannabis use as less taboo. Recent laws have made cannabis easier to get. There are more shops to get cannabis; however, it depends on the state.
For example, you can buy recreational cannabis in any legal shop in Maryland, but you can only purchase non-psychedelic products like CBD oil and THCa Flower Wholesale in Tennessee and others.
However, as more older people use cannabis, we need to understand the risks for this age group better.
Physical Health Risks
While weed has possible healing benefits, it also has an impact on physical health for older people who might already have health problems.
Heart Health
Weed can affect the heart system, making it beat faster and raising blood pressure. Older folks who've had heart trouble, high blood pressure, or other heart issues before might face more dangers.
A 2017 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that using weed could lead to heart attacks and strokes in older people with existing health problems. It is a big issue, and experts advise lowering the use of cannabis or straight up stopping it, too.
Lung Health
Smoking weed, which most people do, can hurt your lungs. People who smoke weed a lot might have the same problems as tobacco smokers, like ongoing bronchitis, coughing, and making a lot of phlegm.
For older folks whose lungs don't work well, smoking weed could make their breathing troubles worse.
Even alternatives to cannabis use, which include eating weed or using vapes, cut down on this danger, they're not safe either. Eating weed, for example, has its own risks that fall heavy in the long run.
Falls and Fractures
Weed has an impact on your ability to move and keep your balance, making you more likely to fall. It’s already a common problem for older folks. When older people fall, they can break bones in their hips. Apart from that, excess cannabis use can also be the cause of numb feet.
This can mess up how well they can move around and enjoy life. The risk gets even worse when people mix weed with other stuff like booze or pills that make you sleepy.
Drug Interactions
Speaking of pills, a lot of older people take several medicines every day to control long-term health problems. THC and CBD can mix with these medicines and backfire it’s use.
This can make the medicines work less well or cause more side effects. For instance, cannabis can make the calming effects of some anxiety drugs work badly. It can also mess with how the body handles certain blood thinners, which might lead to more bleeding.
Mental Health Risks
We know that using cannabis affects mental health. It can cause anxiety, depression, and OCD. It is a leading problem for older people who might already be dealing with age-related brain changes or other mental health problems like Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Cognitive Impairment
Long-term marijuana use has an impact on mental abilities, such as hurting memory, cutting down focus, and slowing thinking.
These issues often show up in younger people who use it, but older folks might be at higher risk because their brains are already changing with age, leading to more brain function loss.
Psychiatric Disorders
Cannabis can have psychiatric effects on older adults, too. Strains with high THC levels have an impact on the risk of anxiety, paranoia, and even psychosis. These effects may be stronger in older adults who have a history of mental health problems such as depression or anxiety disorders. This could make their symptoms worse.
Addiction and Dependency
While cannabis addiction risk is often seen as lower than that of opioids or alcohol, it can still happen with long-term regular use. Older people who use cannabis to manage chronic pain or sleep issues might become dependent on experiencing withdrawal when they try to quit.
This danger increases for those with past substance abuse or who use cannabis to cope with stress or emotional problems.
Social and Behavioral Risks
Besides health risks to body and mind, cannabis use can affect older adults' social lives and behavior.
Isolation and Withdrawal
Smoking weed can make people cut themselves off from others if they use it as their main way to handle stress, feeling alone, or being down.
Older folks who depend a lot on weed might stop attending social events. This can cause them to be more alone and lose the support of friends and family, which is key to living a long, healthier life.
Getting in Trouble with the Law
While older folks might not drive as much as younger people, those who get behind the wheel after using cannabis have a higher chance of crashing. This is because weed slows down their movements and produces delayed reactions.
Also, even though more places are making cannabis legal, it's still against the law in many areas. Older people could get in trouble for having or using it if they don't know the local rules. Here’s a list of states that have banned its usage:
- Minnesota
- Hawaii
- Alaska
- Montana
- Louisiana
- Idaho
- Utah
- Mississippi
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
Economic Impact
Buying cannabis when it's used often for health reasons, can add up and put a dent in your wallet. Older people living on set incomes might struggle to pay for both their regular meds and cannabis. This can lead to tough decisions about where to spend their money.
Safe Use Guidelines for Older Adults
The dangers linked to cannabis use in older people are real, but we can reduce them through proper teaching, watching, and safety steps.
Talking to Doctors
Older folks thinking about using cannabis should talk to their doctors, especially if they take other medicines. Doctors may need to prescribe vitamin supplements for seniors to control their usage. They can also help weigh the pros and cons, suggest the right amounts, and keep an eye out for any bad reactions.
Start Small
For people new to cannabis or using it for health reasons, it's best to start with the smallest amount possible with products that have THC.
Increasing the amount lets people test their limits and lower the chance of bad side effects. The key here is to increase the dosage slowly and stop when there are subtle side effects.
Picking the Best Way to Use It
Options besides smoking, like edibles, tinctures, or creams, can lower the chance of breathing problems. But remember, edibles take longer to kick in, which might cause you to use too much if you're not careful.
Keeping an Eye Out for Bad Reactions
Older folks using cannabis should watch for any bad reactions that affect thinking or heart health. We know the nicer sides of cannabis use, but some people have it heavily, which can cause serious health problems and side effects.
Getting regular check-ups with a doctor can rule out any problems and you can get solutions for it as well.
Being Aware of Drug Mix-Up Issues
Cannabis use can often interact with other medications, which causes life-threatening, fatal consequences. To lower the chances of drug interactions, older people should give their doctors a full list of all the pills and supplements they take.
The doctors can then help and compile a list of pills or supplements they can use/can’t use with cannabis.
Conclusion
And there you go, all the risks and tips of using cannabis for the seniors. As more and more older cannabis users are emerging, they should think about the possible risks to their body, mind, and social life.
Cannabis use can be relaxing, but knowing the limits can save them a bunch of health problems. Follow up with your doctors to make sure they use it in correct amounts and not slack it!
By taking care of these steps, they can make better choices about using cannabis, making sure it boosts their life quality instead of bringing it down. Every age deserves to thrive in full glory!
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The sale and use of cannabis products are subject to local laws and regulations, which vary by location. Readers are advised to consult with healthcare professionals before using cannabis, especially older adults who may have specific health conditions or be taking medications that could interact with cannabis. The article discusses potential risks associated with cannabis use for older adults, including but not limited to, cognitive impairment, interactions with medications, and increased risk of falls. The authors and publishers do not endorse the use of cannabis without appropriate guidance and recommend consulting local laws and healthcare providers to understand the legal and health implications. Use of cannabis is at the individual's own risk.
Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/hand-cannabis-flower-jar-female-5460474/