Medical Marijuana Improves Seniors’ Quality of Life, Finds Study

seniors and cannabis

Medical Marijuana Improves Seniors’ Quality of Life, Finds Study

According to a new study published in the journal Clinical Gerontologist, medical marijuana significantly improves quality of life for seniors: And the more they consume, the better the effect. The study is titled Assessing Health-Related Outcomes of Medical Cannabis Use among Older Persons: Findings from Colorado and Illinois.

 

For the study researchers surveyed 139 seniors about their medical marijuana use and self-reported changes in outcome over a period of one year. They found that medical marijuana use among those over the age of 60 showed a positive association in improvements in test subjects’ health-related quality of life (HRQL).

The study found a “strong positive association” between the frequency of cannabis use by test subjects and self-reported improvements in pain, health-care utilization, and overall health-related quality of life. The test subjects did not report a statistically significant association with the use of medical cannabis and adverse effects. Researchers say they “identified a strong positive association between higher frequency of cannabis use and improvement to HRQL and HCU [health-care utilization] scores.”


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“Our regression modeling also identified a strong positive relationship between higher frequency of cannabis use and self-reported improvements to pain symptoms,” they continued. “The positive relationship between near-daily use and improved reports offers further evidence of the perceived value of medical cannabis as a therapeutic approach for pain management.”


“These results are hardly surprising,” NORML said in a press release. “Many seniors likely experimented first-hand with cannabis during their youth and are now returning to it as a potential therapy to mitigate many of the health-related symptoms that come with older age, including chronic pain. Many seniors are well aware of the litany of serious adverse side-effects associated with available prescription drugs, like opioids, and they perceive medical cannabis to be a viable alternative.”

 

Study on Quality of Life for Seniors

 

Below is the study’s abstract in its entirety:

 

Objectives

 

To assess health-related outcomes associated with medical cannabis use among older patients in Colorado and Illinois enrolled in their home state’s medical cannabis program.

 

Methods

 

Cross-sectional data from anonymous surveys were collected from 139 persons over the age of 60 using medical cannabis in the past year. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to confirm the hypothesized four-factor structure that includes health-related quality of life (HRQL), health-care utilization (HCU), symptom effects, and adverse events. We then examined associations between cannabis use and self-reported outcome changes using linear regression.

 

Results

 

The four-factor model was the best fitting structure (X2(df) = 81.63 (67), p> X2 = 0.108) relative to reduced structures. We also found that using cannabis 1–4 times per week is associated with 3.30 additional points on the HRQL scale (p < .001), 2.72 additional points on the HCU scale (p < .01), and 1.13 points on pain (p < .001). The frequency of use reported at 5–7 times per week is associated with 4.71 additional HRQL score points (p < .001). No significant associations were observed between the frequency of use and adverse events.

 

Conclusions

 

We observed how cannabis use outcomes fall into four independent factors, and those using more frequently reported higher values on HRQL, HCU, and pain measures. However, we are cautious about the generalizability of our findings.

 

Clinical Implications

 

Clinicians should consider how older patients using medical cannabis can experience positive and negative outcomes simultaneously or separately and assess these outcomes directly along with considering patient self-reports.

Benefits Of Marijuana For Senior Citizens

 

With this study,  it is reasonable to conclude that marijuana has important benefits for senior citizens as long as it’s used safely. It is critical to choose a high quality and reasonably priced product, like this oz of Weed for $100.

It’s important to point out the fact that there have been many studies  and research into the benefits of marijuana for senior citizens. For example, other research may have suggested that marijuana can:

 

  • possibly slow down the aging process. Marijuana users also appear to live longer lives.
  • possibly help with depression and anxiety. By using medical marijuana or CBD, senior citizens may relax and sleep better. 
  • possibly relieve some medical conditions tied to heart problems and diabetes. Take note, however, that marijuana is not a substitute for medication, but it can be used to treat various symptoms.
  • possibly relieve pain associated with AIDS and cancer . For senior citizens suffering from cancer, medical marijuana may also help ease the pain and adverse effects that chemotherapy brings. This pain relief also includes chronic pain and arthritis.

 

How To Choose The Best Marijuana

Given the benefits that this study has pointed out, it’s important to highlight the most important precaution: senior citizens should never self-medicate. Don’t commit any of the mistakes that other CBD users have done. Always seek advice from a medical professional that supports CBD use or marijuana for medical purposes. That way, you know how to use it within the safe limits.

 

Everyone reacts to CBD or marijuana in the same way. There may be those who’d display adverse effects, as all-natural medications always have risks.

 

That said, determine what type of marijuana is best suited for you. Some factors to consider: 

 

  • lighter flavoring 
  • Double-check the extraction process and look for a CO2 or food-grade ethanol methods.
  • ease of consumption for senior citizens who may have difficulty swallowing pills. 

1 Comment

  • Peter Wehle
    August 31, 2020

    8/31/20 Monday
    Hello my name is Peter Wehle and I am a Heart Transplant Survivor, a senior born in October 17th, 1951 and a Medical Marijuana cardholder. I support the findings in this clinical study.
    Sincerely,
    Peter Wehle
    (P.S. I am also a creative writer and here is one of my latest poems.)

    TO BE ALIVE

    To see the branches on the trees,

    glimmer and flutter in the sweet breeze,

    To sense the sunny sunlight of the early morn,

    Shine its Light on all to be born,

    On a vast lake of beauteous views

    Scattered along with boats of dew,

    As I listen to my heart with blood flowing,

    And, to be Alive but still growing,

    This day, this very special day

    Was written long, long ago

    Upon the dreams and schemes,

    Of men and women on a perpetual race of time and space,

    To be Alive now, we are indeed full of Grace

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