Weed for Seniors: How Cannabis Can Help You Age Gracefully

Growing old comes with lots of insecurities. We all wish we could retain our youthful appearances and vigor as we move through life. However, this is not humanly possible. But you can make your aging process more graceful when you use cannabis. It not only nourishes your brain function but can also improve the health of your skin and joints as you age.

Besides being a recreational drug, cannabis has been used for decades to alleviate symptoms of various illnesses. Some of the benefits associated with this herb include pain relief, stress reduction, and sleep management. There is also evidence that it can help reverse the aging process in the brain. Read on as we keep you in the loop on how cannabis can help you age gracefully.

Cannabis and Its Effects on Skin

What comes to your mind when you think of growing old? For most people, it’s wrinkles on their faces and saggy skin. There are many beauty solutions to alleviate the effect of old age on the skin, but why not go for a more natural solution? 

Cannabis contains several compounds that can help lessen the impact of age on your skin. THC, for example, has been found to have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cannabis Can Reduce Skin Inflammation

Inflammation of the skin is a serious issue, not only because it’s uncomfortable and irritating but also because it causes your skin to age more quickly, making you appear older than you are.

THC and CBD are powerful anti-inflammatories. Therefore, including them in your natural beauty routine is one of the best things you can do for your skin’s health. There is also evidence that CBD can be used as a treatment for acne.

How to Consume Cannabis for Your Skin

If you aren’t a cannabis consumer, you may be worried about picking up the habit. However, you don’t necessarily have to ingest cannabis products or smoke it to see the effects on your skin. 

You can try out cannabis topicals, which are applied directly to the skin. They can be infused in oils, balms, or creams. They are absorbed directly into the skin through receptors that react with CBD and THC to produce the desired effects. The good thing about topicals is that you won’t have to worry about getting high off cannabis.

Oral consumption of cannabis can also produce the desired effects if taken correctly. Keep in mind that smoking marijuana can cause respiratory issues because the smoke produced contains carcinogens that are harmful to your lungs. You want to go the vaping or edibles way if you insist on taking cannabis directly. 

Cannabis and Its Effects on Brain Health

Your cognitive performance decreases rapidly as you age. And as a result, you may find it harder to perform tasks and remember information correctly. You become prone to dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other brain-related illnesses. This isn’t only true for humans, but for animals as well. Luckily, cannabis can help reduce brain aging.

Researchers from the University of Bonn and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem administered mice of various ages mild doses of THC. They then assessed their memory as part of a collaborative study. What was the outcome? The memory levels of older mice who had been administered THC were comparable to those of younger mice who had not been given THC at all.

This study contains promising results that link cannabis to improved cognitive performance in the elderly. Although there hasn’t been a human study yet, we can expect positive results already.

Cannabis and Joint Pains

Have you ever felt pain or an ache in one of your joints or muscles and couldn’t determine the cause? These random pains can be stemming from an earlier injury, or they could be due to old age. Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes inflammation in different parts of your body, occurs more frequently in people in their forties and fifties.

Cannabis may be used to alleviate pain and inflammation, and arthritis falls under these categories. Any form of cannabis consumption method is effective in relieving these joint pains. You can choose to directly apply topicals to the affected areas, vape, or consume edibles to reduce the inflammation.

Additionally, working out and exercising is a great way to keep your body in check. It is especially excellent for the elderly, as it improves joint mobility and can help reduce the chances of sarcopenia. 

Research shows that regular exercise can also help slow down aging. If working out sounds tiresome to you, try using weed as a supplement during your workout sessions. Not only will you experience reduced fatigue, but you will also find the sessions more enjoyable.

Cannabis and Eating Disorders

What you eat and how much you eat have significant effects on your aging process. As seniors grow older, they may experience a decrease in appetite, affecting their health.  

Some people believe that eating less can help improve their body image. But this is not always the case. Poor eating habits among seniors can put them in dangerous weight zones and cause a rapid decline in their wellbeing.

Cannabis is a great appetite booster and can improve the eating habits of people with eating disorders. This is because it makes you feel hungry and thirsty after consuming it. Of course, there are prescription medications for these eating disorders, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics. However, they may have side effects that may further affect your body. Cannabis, on the other hand, is a more natural remedy with less dangerous side effects and can be used along with other eating disorder treatments.

The Bottom Line

Many people are not ready to embrace the changes that come with old age. Having wrinkles, for example, can make you feel uneasy and ashamed about how you look. You can, however, take steps, such as consuming cannabis, to improve your cognitive function, skin, and overall health as you grow older. Besides working out and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, cannabis can play an essential role in helping you age gracefully.