Why Seniors are Using Cannabis to Treat Common Ailments Associated With Aging

As we age, it’s inevitable that many of us begin to develop more and more medical conditions, but the options for treating these conditions often remain limited. Fortunately, the legalization of medical marijuana in Virginia has led to seniors finding new relief from many of the conditions that come with age by getting a medical marijuana card.

In fact, the statistics show that more and more seniors are ready to take this step, both in Virginia and beyond, improving their quality of life and alleviating daily symptoms and pains through the benefits of cannabis.

An Increasing Interest in Medical Marijuana Amongst Seniors – The Statistics

Approval in the general population for medical marijuana has been on the rise in recent years, leading to legalization in many states across the country. What has been particularly interesting as medical marijuana has caught on in the American mind is how much interest has ticked up amongst seniors.

In 2006, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, only 0.4% of U.S. adults over the age of 64 were using cannabis regularly. By 2015, those numbers had gone up to 2.9 percent; and those numbers would almost double by 2018.

Why Seniors Are Turning to Medical Marijuana

Why are more and more seniors turning to the benefits of quality medical marijuana products? It could involve a number of factors. On one level, the historical stigma against cannabis use has all but disappeared in many places across the country. In fact, 94 percent of Americans say that adults should have legal access to medical marijuana across the country.

There are also cultural issues to consider. Many Americans who are now aging into the “senior” category are children of the 60s, meaning that they already had some cultural exposure to cannabis in decades past.

Finally, more and more doctors are beginning to prescribe medical marijuana for an increasingly long list of conditions. Many seniors may be hearing from their doctors that medical marijuana is a great option when it comes to treating common conditions associated with aging, including chronic pain.

Common Senior Conditions Medical Marijuana Treats

Medical marijuana has been established as an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions, many of which are common to the senior experience. As a natural solution, medical marijuana offers an alternative to pharmaceuticals that can be very appealing to seniors, as well, when it comes to treating certain conditions.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is, of course, prevalent amongst seniors. Whether due to arthritis or comorbid conditions, it is estimated that as many as 85 percent of seniors may experience some form of chronic pain.

Medical marijuana offers a healthy and safe alternative to the opioids many doctors have historically used to treat this condition and associated conditions, including PTSD.

Medical marijuana is also getting very positive reviews from older Americans in this context. A recent poll found that nine out of ten seniors liked medical marijuana so much as a treatment for chronic pain that they would recommend it to others. The same survey also found that using medical marijuana reduced the need for opioids in seniors and improved their overall quality of life.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Medical marijuana also has a positive impact on those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. According to ongoing research, medical marijuana can slow how quickly the brain produces the proteins that are linked to this frustrating disorder.

High-quality medical marijuana products can also help the inflammatory response in the brain that can exacerbate the condition. Many patients with Alzheimer’s also experience regular bouts of insomnia, anxiety, and depression, all of which can be addressed with the regular use of medical marijuana.

Parkinson’s Disease

Although it only affects 1 percent of the population, the prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease in any population increases with age, and the majority of patients diagnosed with the condition are over the age of 60.

Dealing with Parkinson’s often involves prescribing some pretty powerful drugs that can come with significant and negative side effects.

For that reason, many doctors are now recommending medical marijuana as an alternative to many common drugs used to treat the disease. Medical marijuana can help patients with Parkinson’s reduce their tremors, for one. It can also be a very effective treatment for the insomnia that often comes with Parkinson’s. Finally, it can serve as a pain reliever and anti-anxiety medication for many Parkinson’s patients.

Get Your VA Marijuana Card Now!

Medical marijuana provides seniors in Virginia with the natural relief they need from many of the symptoms they experience on a daily basis. Thanks to its status as a natural product, medical marijuana also allows seniors to get that relief without the toxic burden of many pharmaceuticals. The cannabis doctors and patient support staff at Virginia Marijuana Card can answer all the questions seniors may have about medical marijuana. We’ll take the time to answer all your questions, and follow-up appointments are free for the entire 12 months that your medical card is valid through us. Schedule an appointment with an online medical marijuana doctor today, to start gaining access to safe, legal cannabis products, including tinctures, flower, concentrates and more.

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Doctors Who Care.

Relief You Can Trust.

At Virginia Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness

safely and conveniently through increased access to MMJ. Our focus on

education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by

providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.

Call us at (888) 633-5808, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!

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Check out Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information.