Why cannabis is helping seniors sleep away their insomnia
For senior citizens who stir through the night, insomnia can be detrimental to the active lifestyle many want to enjoy. Contrary to some stereotypes, seniors don’t biologically require fewer hours of sleep to feel well-rested; 7 to 8 hours a night is recommended for adults age 65+, in line with every other adult age group. But conditions like chronic pain, PTSD, depression and anxiety are all contributing factors to senior sleep deprivation, with symptoms that can worsen without proper rest.
That’s why more and more older adults are turning to cannabis to get through the night undisturbed. It makes perfect sense – after all, drowsiness is a side effect of cannabis consumption. Marijuana is also a natural alternative to sleeping pills or prescription pain medications that can be highly addictive and harmful over time.
The best strains for slumber
Seniors looking for a good night’s sleep should start with seeking symptom relief from the underlying causes of their insomnia. Many elderly adults are CBD patients because of the compound’s versatility in helping manage different types of ailments from anxiety to muscle pain without the psychoactive effects of THC. An all-over body high might relax a new patient into a comfortable sleep more than a heady feeling.
When it comes to choosing the right strain and method of consumption, individual preferences vary. Some strains are ideal for nighttime use, with indica varieties lending a cozy feeling that relaxes the muscles and frees the mind from focusing on pain areas. Seniors might also prefer to consume cannabis via tinctures (often in the form of liquid placed under the tongue) or edibles instead of smoking so they have more control over their dosage at first. Even as little as 5mg an hour before bedtime is enough to ease into the night, with the full effects hitting at exactly the right time.
Falling asleep can feel natural
The biggest barrier to entry for many older adults is not the potential for an experience they’ve never had, but the possible stigma attached to cannabis that has pervaded for much of their lives. In contrast with other prescribed medications that combat insomnia and other ailments, marijuana is non-addictive, and the right strains can leave patients feeling reinvigorated in the morning instead of in an opioid-induced hangover.
Since CBD was made legal on the federal level in 2018, it has become accepted in the mainstream as a viable source of symptom relief that’s readily available in one form or another. For seniors seeking the full range of options to combat their insomnia, a medical card might be needed to explore different ratios of CBD and THC along with a variety of consumption methods.
If you’re a senior citizen who has trouble sleeping, or know someone in your family whose life would greatly improve with a proper full-night’s rest, the experts at Sol Flower in Sun City and Tempe would be happy to discuss your options. Give us a visit today and put your insomnia problems to bed.
