The use of cannabis-based products (CBMP) for medicinal purposes is growing, and a significant rise in use amongst older people is attributed, according to this study.
This rise is also reflective of the growing acceptance and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes in broader society.
The increasing use among this particular age group has led to touching research into the characteristics of such use and the potential health benefits individuals may derive.
Demographics and Prescription Trends
Those in the older category are above the age of 65, and the pattern of use in this category diversifies from that in the younger ones.
A vast portion, 52.5%, of the older users are female, contrasting to the younger adults, of whom 47.0% are female users.
While being older, 76.3% of the users in the research report experiencing chronic pain compared to 45.6% of the younger users. People in this category are motivated by seeking relief from aches and pains that often develop with age.
Older users, on average, get fewer cannabis products at 1.4 compared with 2.1 for younger customers.
They are also more likely to be dispensed on prescriptions that are more CBD-dominant than prescriptions that contain very little CBD and more THC.
This could be due to the need to avert such psychoactive effects and potential interactions with other common medications that older adults are likely to be on.
Health Enhancements and Quality of Life
The therapeutic benefits drawn by CBMPs for older adults are impressive.
Although the quality of life and general health of older people are on a lower base, there is a marked significant clinical relevance and statistical finding across different measures.
The scores for quality of life, as well as the general health rating, went up, rather markedly, for three months. There was a considerable reduction in sleep disturbances among unwarranted mood symptoms, illustrating the multifaceted benefits derived from CBMPs.
More relief was seen in those with chronic pain. The severity of pain and pain interference with daily activities were significantly lessened.
This is analogous to other international studies suggesting how effectively cannabis can be put to good use in managing chronic ailments to enhance general well-being.
The Challenges of Research and Regulation
Even if studies like Project T21 are assuming exclusively valuable informative impulses for the field, they at the same time point to how challenging it must be.
The exclusion of older adults from numerous clinical trials must diminish the capacity to come out with good quality and valuable research products.
In addition, the heterogeneity of CBMPs and the complexity of individualized treatment of cannabis make the comparison of the results concerning particular therapies difficult.
Also, the legal status of CBMPs and regulation adopted in the UK further complicates access and research. Since the prescriptions of CBMPs were allowed in 2018, access has been borne via private healthcare essentially, with a limited availability method on the National Health Service.
This situation has created a reliance on real-world evidence from patient registries like T21 to fill the gaps in clinical research.
A Bright, Green Future for the Elderly!
An evidence base is indeed growing to indicate benefits from CBMP for the older adult, just as, indeed, demand for effective alternatives in managing pain with resultant improvements in quality of life can likely grow with the population.
The evidence base is expanding, and indeed, with an aging population, the demand for proper management of pain to enhance quality of life and so too the role of cannabis within the health domain will be enhanced.
Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, interactions with other medications, and developing standardized treatment protocols.
Indeed, the utilization of medical cannabis for older adults does appear to be an auspicious means of enhancing health and life quality.
The positive outcomes from studies conducted, such as Project T21, help improve the quality of life of older individuals.
Continuous research and supportive regulatory authority will be essential in realizing the optimal benefits of CBMPs in this burgeoning demographic.
