Side Effects of CBD Oil in the Elderly

Living to a ripe old age is one thing. But living those years with quality is quite another. 

One of the keys to joyful living is how we feel when we’re alive. Are you full of energy? Are your bones feeling springy? If not, CBD may be the best answer to good health.

While CBD has many benefits, which we’ll get into, it does have a few side effects. While most are mild, we’ll dive into what CBD is good for and what medications it may interact with.

If you’re new to CBD, we’ll offer some advice on dosage as well as the science behind how CBD interacts with your body. Hang on til the end, and we’ll also include what to look for when shopping for CBD (to avoid unwanted side effects).

Is CBD Oil Safe for The Elderly?

In general, CBD is safe for seniors. According to The World Health Organization (WHO), CBD is safe and well-tolerated in adults. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even approved a CBD-based drug to treat seizures. 

CBD, short for cannabidiol, works naturally with your body’s ECS (Endocannabinoid System). Maybe this is the first time you’ve heard about the ECS, but within every mammal lies this cannabinoid system that interacts and regulates virtually every human function, including the following:

• Immune System
• Organ Function
• Brain Function
• Connective Tissues
• Glands
• Immune Cells
• Nervous System

Side Effects: CBD Oil for Seniors

CBD benefits far outweigh the side effects, but you need to consider shopping from reputable vendors. The FDA, for example, warns consumers about products that are falsely advertised as “miracle cures.” CBD is not for everybody, as each individual has their own unique ECS system. 

If you’re sensitive to hemp and certain cannabinoids, like cannabidiol CBD, you may experience certain side effects. Additionally, you might acquire a mislabeled CBD product with way more THC than is allowed by law (more on that later).

For the most part, a high-quality CBD tincture will improve senior living and well-being. Even with a good CBD, like our lab-certified Full-Spectrum Oil, you might experience mild side effects such as the following: 

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Appetite changes
• Red eyes
• Dry mouth
• Nausea

Will CBD Make Me High?

No, as long as you’re buying from a properly labeled and lab-certified company. By law, CBD products may contain up to 0.3% THC. Short for tetrahydrocannabinol, THC is the cannabinoid responsible for making you high, but 0.3% is too low to have any effect.

For clarification, CBD is sourced from hemp, a very low-grade THC variety of cannabis. After 2018, the law distinguishes between hemp and the other cannabis variety - marijuana. Marijuana is still considered a scheduled one narcotic because of its high THC content.

What Are The Benefits of CBD Oil for The Elderly?

Now that you’re familiar with the minor side effects, let’s dig into some benefits. CBD is ideal for the aging population because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Little things start to malfunction as we age, such as cartilage wearing down in our joints.

Because inflammation is the number one cause of most diseases, CBD helps by working with your body to naturally lower inflamed areas. The best thing about CBD is you don’t need a prescription, and it’s 100% legal, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill Act.

The benefits of CBD include the following:

• Arthritis
• Pain Relief
• Fibromyalgia
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Inflammation
• Stress Relief
• Parkinson’s
• Multiple Sclerosis

Should Prescription Drugs Not Be Taken With CBD Oil?

CBD does carry some risk of interacting with certain medications. The most significant interaction is the “grapefruit warning.” While normally good for you, grapefruit may affect how certain medications work. 

Certain prescription medications and even OTC (over-the-counter) medications should be avoided when using grapefruit. Additionally, CBD may also interact with the following drugs: 

• Anti-infectives
• Opioids
• Crohn’s Disease medications
• Statins (high-cholesterol medications)
• High blood pressure (OTC and prescription)
• Bipolar medications
• Blood thinners
• Prostate and ED medications

How Much CBD Oil Should a Senior Take?

It would help if you always talked to your doctor before starting a CBD regimen. Once you get the green light from your physician, start with the smallest amount possible. For ultimate relief, consider snagging a full-spectrum CBD tincture containing the entire cannabinoid family. 

For starters, take one or two drops once a day for a week and “listen” to your body. Depending on your condition, you can add or subtract the amount. Once you’re comfortable, take up to one ml, as marked on the dropper, once a day.

What Is the Best CBD Oil for Seniors?

Your ECS will benefit from the 100 plus cannabinoids provided in a full-spectrum product through a process known as the ‘entourage effect. If you are unsure about THC or medical marijuana, you can also grab a THC-free CBD oil, which provides the entire cannabinoid spectrum minus any THC.

Additionally, you can take specially designed CBD products - tailored for individual treatment. For example, if you’re having trouble sleeping, we’ve created a CBD, CBG, and CBN sleep aid formula perfect for helping insomnia. THC-free allows you the most potent cannabinoids known to help with insomnia.

If you’re new and want to start at the low end, you can opt for CBD Isolate. CBD Isolate is free of all ingredients and cannabinoids except one - CBD, or Cannabidiol. Sprinkle some in your coffee or mix it in with your salad. 

Takeaway: Side Effects of CBD Oil for Seniors

CBD has many benefits for the elderly, including relief from arthritis, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. As we age, many of these conditions get worse. But thanks to supplements, such as CBD, along with a healthy lifestyle, we may be able to reduce or even reverse symptoms related to aging.

While side effects are minimal, it’s best to check with your doctor before you start taking CBD to ensure it doesn’t interact with existing medications. Additionally, consider buying from a reputable CBD vendor. Eden’s Herbals provides all our customers with an online lab report that ensures the following:

1. Tested for impurities
2. Tested for solvents
3. CO2 extracted
4. THC content (0.3% and THC-Free)

If you want to learn more about CBD for the elderly, contact Eden’s Herbals at [email protected] today!

*These statements have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness. Medical advice should be taken from a medical professional.

All of the articles on this site are written by 3rd party content providers, expert bloggers or doctors not directly affiliated with Eden’s Herbals.

Individuals should learn the risks and side effects prior to taking CBD. Make sure to always check with a medical professional before starting any new CBD treatment or medication that is not FDA-approved.