Cannabis topicals are all the rage right now. From celebrities using them on the red carpet to athletes launching their own lines, it seems like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. But it’s not just the young and famous who are using these products. More and more senior citizens are turning to cannabis topicals to help with a common and debilitating condition: arthritis.
Arthritis affects nearly 54 million American adults and is typically treated with medications that can have serious side effects. However, cannabis is becoming a popular and viable alternative. Topicals infused with cannabinoids work by binding to CB2 receptors on the skin, providing localized relief without entering the bloodstream. This means that topicals infused with psychoactive cannabinoids like THC will not cause a high, but can still provide pain relief.
While research on the effectiveness of topicals is limited, there have been some promising results. Studies have shown that CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, can offer relief when applied topically to arthritic joints. There is also evidence that CB2 receptors may play a role in regulating inflammation, a major issue for those with arthritis.
For many senior citizens, topicals offer a way to experience the healing properties of cannabis without the fear of getting high. With concerns about interactions with other medications and potential side effects, many are seeking alternative methods of pain relief. Karen Rumics Averill, a 63-year-old business owner from Oregon, began making her own cannabis-infused topicals a few years ago and has seen great results. “Once he went off the pharmaceuticals, he was a different person,” she says of her husband, who also uses her topicals for his arthritis.
While the science is still in its early stages, it’s clear that cannabis topicals have the potential to provide relief for those suffering from arthritis. As more research is conducted and more people share their success stories, it’s likely that we’ll see even more senior citizens turning to these products for relief.
