With states legalizing medical cannabis, elder adults and baby boomers looking for alternative treatment against multiple chronic conditions, including arthritis pain, are considering applying for a medical marijuana card.  If you’re in the same boat, keep reading and learn more about MMJ for seniors in the following.

How can marijuana help?

In the recent years, certain studies have proven how medical marijuana products can help aid/cure different illnesses even if it’s not been approved by the Federal Drug Administration. Clinical trials have looked into and proven of the wide range of ways marijuana can help in medical treatment for seniors. Cancer:  Trials have proven that MMJ can help patient undergoing chemotherapy especially in alleviating the chemo-related symptoms like vomiting and nausea.   In addition, cannabis may help dealing with the pain associated with neurological damage and aid in regaining appetite. Alzheimer’s disease:  It can aid in relieving patients from symptoms like loss of appetite and depression.   Certain studies also had it that cannabis could slow down beta-amyloids advancement. [Beta-amyloids are protein clumps building up on the brain and one of the signs of Alzheimer’s.] Pain:  THC-infused topical treatments like creams, rubs and lotions can help in the pain treatment of a small skin area. Cannabis can help in treating pain related to nerve damage, joint pain and chronic illness. Mental health and anxiety disorders:   Medical cannabis can also help in alleviating the symptoms of ort treating mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and moderate depression. It may also aid in relieving the symptoms of moderate depression, panic attacks and general anxiety. Glaucoma:  The most common treatment includes doctor-prescribed eye drops, which can help in relieving the pressure in your eyes.   But recently, cannabis has been taking the spotlight and showing signs of aiding pressure in the eye area suffered by those with glaucoma. Sleep aid:   Many seniors also find cannabis a better alternative than sleeping pills and report that cannabis may help in treating their insomnia. Part of this is due to the antioxidant properties of cannabis that may work in combatting anxiety, which is one of the causes of insomnia.

Risks and Benefits

If you’re into deciding whether or not to use medical marijuana for seniors, here’s what to help.  There are certain risks and benefits linked with it. Risks Those suffering from different chronic conditions while also taking more medications are at risk from different drug interactions. It can happen to those who combine MMJ with different medications.  Some of these risks include falls, cognitive changes and drug interactions. The physiologic responses of seniors also make them at higher risks to these conditions than those younger than them are.  For example, liver and kidney function can be compromised. In addition, medical cannabis may also affect how some medications are metabolized and effects may be affected by certain drugs, too. But then, low doses for older adults do not pose much risk t older adults based on some studies. Benefits For the benefits as to why more seniors are applying for a medical marijuana card, it turns out that cannabis is safer than other prescribed medications are. For example, the side effects associated to its use are insignificant versus those of prescription drugs use are. In fact, there is yet any reported case of someone dying from marijuana overdose. In addition, marijuana’s antioxidant effects can even provide patients with relief for the symptoms and disorders that include liver inflammation caused by lupus and hepatitis C, along with conditions in which oxidative damage and inflammation are symptoms. More so, marijuana does not damage the brain and lower one’s IQ.   As of now, there is no study indicating that it could impair brain function, but instead it could promote and encourage new neural pathways. Without even saying, marijuana may aid in stopping cell degeneration. Medical cannabis may also increase appetite, which is a problem especially among those undergoing chemotherapy. Studies have already proven that it’s been successful in stimulating the appetite and alleviating nausea. Cannabis is also more cost-efficient and safe than alternative and prescription drugs like antipsychotics and opioids, not mentioning also having fewer side effects. Now, the population of older adults and seniors using medical marijuana is increasing steadily. And what more could be a better reason behind than cannabis being effective in helping them treating the ailments and health disorders among them.

How to find the right product

Ask your doctor about medical marijuana to stay on the right track. Find strains without the high including CBD genetic strains with little to no psychoactive effects. You may also want to consult a medical marijuana doctor about safer ways of using marijuana aside from smoking it.  A few of these include liquid extracts, topicals, and CBD-infused edibles and so on.  There are cannabis-infused ointments, lotions and creams that can alleviate neuropathy and arthritis pain.