In recent years, medical cannabis has emerged as a topic of increasing interest and importance for older adults and seniors seeking alternative approaches to managing chronic health conditions. As our understanding of cannabis’s therapeutic potential grows, so does its popularity among the 50+ demographic.
Many older adults are turning to medical cannabis to address a range of common age-related ailments, including arthritis, nerve pain, cancer and chemotherapy-related discomfort, and persistent back pain. This shift in perception and usage is driven by a combination of factors: acceptance socially and legally, increasing research studies proving its efficacy, word of mouth, and a desire for more natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals.
Understanding Medical Cannabis
Medical cannabis is the use of cannabinoids (like CBD) for medical purposes. Typically, medical cannabis is used to improve one’s quality of life and reduce unwanted symptoms such as pain, poor sleep, no appetite, anxiety, and more. The goal of using cannabis medically is to find relief without intoxication. At a medical cannabis clinic like Apollo, the goal is ensure all patients feel safe, educated, and comfortable when taking their medication.
While THC is the cannabinoid known for causing intoxication at higher levels, it also has medical applications at lower doses. When combined with CBD (or used alone), THC can be particularly effective for pain relief and improving sleep. That said, many patients begin with CBD alone and experience significant relief. This highlights the importance of working with a doctor or healthcare team to determine the appropriate dosing and product selection tailored to individual needs.
How Medical Cannabis Works in the Body
Skeptics often approach medical cannabis as if it’s snake oil – how can it help with so many different conditions and symptoms at once?
Our bodies have an internal and innate system called the endocannabinoid system which is made up of receptors throughout the entire body ranging from your brain all the way down to your feet. Our body produces something called endocannabinoids, which act on these receptors and help manage critical bodily functions including pain response, learning, immune response, mood, hunger, and overall homeostasis. Cannabinoids from the cannabis plant (CBD, THC, CBN, CBG, etc.) also act on our endocannabinoid system, allowing these external cannabinoids to help influence things like pain response.
While CBD is known to be a strong anti-inflammatory, THC is known to help slow pain signals to the brain. These two acting in unison helps create an effective pain reducing medication, similar to Advil. Medical cannabis can either be ingested (oil, softgels, edibles, etc.), applied topically (creams) or inhaled (vaporization). When ingested, medical cannabis is known to be effective for anywhere from 4-12 hours. And, unlike NSAIDS or opioids, it does not cause damage to the liver when taken over long periods of time.
Research and Evidence
Did you know that older adults are the number one growing demographic of medical cannabis users? It’s true! Things like arthritis and back pain can severely reduce one’s quality of life and leave individuals reliant on harsh pharmaceuticals. With stigma lowering and product options expanding, seniors are looking for alternatives to help manage chronic pain.
There are many studies out there on medical cannabis for pain relief, but here are a few:
- A study included 984 chronic pain patients, including those with neuropathic pain, back pain, arthritis, post-surgical pain, headaches, and abdominal pain. In this particular study, two-thirds of patients reported pain relief as the main benefit of marijuana use. Improved sleep was the second most commonly reported benefit. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5845915/
- Data was collected between October 2014 and October 2020 from older-adult Canadian patients. Data included that from 9766 older adult users at intake (females = 60.0%), among whom 4673 (females = 61.4%) returned for follow-up. The most common primary indication for which medical cannabis was sought was pain (67.7%). The majority of older adults reported improvements in pain (72.7%, compared to worsening or no change), sleep (64.5%), and mood (52.8%), with 35.6% reporting use of a reduced dose of opioids and 19.9% a reduced dose of benzodiazepines. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40266-021-00913-y
- A published study by Apollo Clinics had a total of 751 chronic pain patients who initiated medical cannabis treatment. After following Apollo’s personalized treatment plan, patients reported a 43% reduction in pain interference with their daily activities and a 37% reduction in the severity of their pain. The patients in the study also reported significant improvements in mental health, headaches, fatigue, anxiety, and nausea after initiating treatment. In patients who reported opioid medication use at baseline, there were also significant reductions in usage of such medications. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32556203/
Ingestion and Application Options
As mentioned before, there are various forms of medical cannabis that can be used to help manage unwanted pain. These options also include a variety of different cannabinoid ratio offerings, allowing patients to choose what is right for them.
For long lasting relief, ingested cannabis is the best option as it can provide relief up to 12 hours. That said, it can take up to an hour to take effect as it needs to be digested. Examples of ingestible options include oils, softgels, edibles, sublingual strips, beverages, and more.
For fast relief (useful for onset pain, migraines, or panic attacks), an inhaled form of cannabis may be preferred. As a doctor’s office, we always recommend vaporization over smoking and even have some Health Canada approved vaporizers. Whether in an oil or flower format, inhaled cannabis can take effect in 1 to 10 minutes, and last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours.
Topical options are also now available and have become popular among those looking to manage arthritic pain. Applied topically, the cannabinoids are absorbed through the skin. Because the blood barrier is not broken this way, THC does not typically cause any type of intoxication when used strictly as a cream or gel.
Many people may use a variety of options for different situations and may even use medical cannabis alongside other medications and treatment options such as physiotherapy. Always speak to a doctor before introducing any new medications, including medical cannabis, into your regimen.
Potential Side Effects
Like any medication, medical cannabis has side-effects that a small number of patients may experience. While minor and non-life threatening, they can still be uncomfortable and unwanted. Side-effects to keep an eye out for include dry mouth, dizziness, and drowsiness. Like any medication or substance, do not ever drive if you feel under the influence.
It is advisable to consult a physician before initiating any medication. Given that older adults may be more susceptible to issues such as cognitive impairment or an increased risk of falls when using medical cannabis (due to other medications they may be on), it is essential to discuss your medical history and current medications with a healthcare professional.
Benefits Over Opioids and Other Pharmaceuticals
Unlike opioids, cannabis does not have the ability to slow down your respiratory system, which is what causes many opioid-related deaths (especially when mixed with alcohol). With less side-effects than benzodiazepines and other pharmaceuticals, medical cannabis has become a great alternative for pain relief.
Numerous studies have been published over the past decade, including one by Apollo Clinics on chronic pain and medical cannabis, that show many patients are able to reduce and even stop taking opioids once they begin using medical cannabis. This is a huge win for those who feel like they were going to be reliant on them for the rest of their lives.
Practical Tips for Patients
Ask questions – Speak with friends or family who have used cannabis medically – Do research online
When deciding if medical cannabis could be a treatment option for you, we encourage you to learn about it through articles, healthcare practitioners, and even friends and family!
We recommend the strategy “start low and go slow” and are happy to assist with any questions you have on dosing, product selection, strains, and more. When using a medical cannabis clinic like Apollo, their team is available 7 days a week by phone and email for ongoing support (all free of charge). Once you have met with the medical cannabis doctor, you will receive a personalized dosing plan to follow.
If you are not finding relief, slowly increasing the dose or changing the product may be recommended. If you are experiencing unwanted side effects, we may advise lowering the dose.
If a product or dose works for someone else but not for you, don’t fret! What works for someone else may not work for you. Medical cannabis is a personalized medicine, and every person’s endocannabinoid system is different.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, medical cannabis offers promising potential for pain relief in seniors, providing a natural alternative to traditional medications. Many older adults are finding improved quality of life and reduced reliance on opioids through medically advised use. As always, seniors interested in trying medical cannabis should consult with a healthcare providers to ensure it’s appropriate for their individual needs and to develop a safe, effective treatment plan. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the healthcare team at Apollo Cannabis Clinics at Info@apolloresearch.ca.
