More older adults and seniors are trying CBD to relieve their symptoms and improve functioning. While many seniors are generally satisfied with the results, they should also be cautious about potential risks and side effects.

Adverse Effects

Many medications, over-the-counter remedies and even surgeries come with potential risks and side effects which may lead to unpleasant or sometimes dangerous results. While the research is in its infancy regarding CBD and seniors, most of it reports mild to moderate side effects.

What Are Some Potential Side-Effects of CBD in Seniors?

Older adults or seniors who are taking CBD now or are interested in giving it a try should be aware of the following potential side effects:

• Mild sedation
• Lightheadedness
• Orthostatic hypotension (a form of low blood pressure when standing quickly)
• Psychomotor slowing (slowing of thoughts and physical movement)
• Dry mouth
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss

On top of these side effects is the potential for falls and injuries.

What About the Fillers?

While most people don’t think about fillers in their CBD oil, most brands add the following fillers to their CBD oils:

• Sesame oil
• MCT oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Hemp seed oil

Why is this important? Each of these fillers come with their own potential side- effects. For instance, people who are allergic to grapes should not consume grapeseed oil. It may cause headache, dizziness and nausea. The other fillers can also cause adverse effects including slowed heart rate, decreased blood pressure and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.

Here’s Some Good Advice

In addition to discussing use of CBD products with a healthcare provider, ask the CBD company to provide their certificate of analysis (COA), which is document from an accredited lab that identifies concentrations and varieties of cannabinoids in the product as well as what is not in it, like mold, heavy metals, and other toxins. The COA should provide a sense of relief and safety.

When visiting a healthcare provider, come prepared with a list of all

• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins and supplements
• prescription medications

Make sure to jot down the doses and how often each of these is taken. Provide this copy to the healthcare provider along with the type of CBD product being consumed, dose, and frequency of use.

Final Thoughts on CBD and Seniors

It is predicted that popularity of CBD for almost every age category, including older adults and seniors, will only increase in the future. Along with this increase in use, attention should be made to the product’s risks and side effects. Consumers need to become more aware of what they are using and should obtain the certificate of analysis before using the product.

If the benefits of using CBD outweigh the potential or actual negatives… perhaps CBD will become more mainstream and help more older adults and seniors live better and healthier lives.