By Michael Moses
In Pain? Trouble Sleeping? Anxious? Depressed?
Have you tried medicinal marijuana?
More seniors than ever before use cannabis products to manage chronic pain, sleep better and even strengthen their bones. In fact, seniors are the fastest-growing demographic of medical marijuana users in the United States.
University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers report that older adults use cannabis primarily for pain, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. Published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the report stated that 15 percent had used cannabis within the past three years. Half were using it regularly and mostly for medical purposes.
“Pain, insomnia and anxiety were the most common reasons for cannabis use. For the most part, patients reported that cannabis was helping to address these issues, especially with insomnia and pain,” said Christopher Kaufmann, PhD, co-author of the study and assistant professor in Geriatrics and
Gerontology in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego. Of patients surveyed, 61 percent of those who used cannabis started after age 60.
“New users were more likely to use cannabis for medical reasons than for recreation.
Also, new users were more likely to use it topically as a lotion rather than smoking or ingesting edibles. They were more likely to inform their doctor about their cannabis use too.”
“The clinical workforce needs to become aware of cannabis use by seniors and learn the benefits and risks of cannabis use in their patient population,” said Alison Moore, MD, senior author and chief of the Division of Geriatrics in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego.
The Centre at St. Pete Beach, 7525 Blind Pass Road, is an educational, recreational and event facility whose mission it is to help people integrate medicinal marijuana into their lives. Within the Centre, Triverde Health has a number of doctors who schedule appointments at the Centre to facilitate access to the state-issued Medical Marijauna Card.
They have an easy online questionnaire to complete in advance. Anyone residing at least 31 days a year in Florida can apply.The Centre also offers a variety of anxiety-reducing yoga and massage, with or without your medication.
Gainswave™ and Femiwave™ two new therapeutic treatments at the Centre, aim to help both male and female clients enhance and optimize their sexual performance and pleasure. No drugs or surgery are involved in these effective therapeutic sound wave procedures. Call 727-322-4588 or visit thecentrespb.com for more info and to schedule.
The Centre Wellness Café, where you can get the best cup in town and a snack is available 7-2 daily at the window on Blind Pass, or inside the Centre. Chef John Parker is now in the kitchen preparing breakfasts, lunches – Cubans, Philly’s, Salads – and take-and-bake dinners to go. Call the Wellness Café at 727-409-3009 with questions and to-go orders.