Here is what you need to look out for:
Increased risk of heart disease
According to a study led by researchers at Stanford University, cannabis users aged 40-69 are at increased risk of heart attack and heart disease. This is due to THC potentially causing inflammation of the cells in and around the heart tissue.
CBD may not be as effective
For older adults taking CBD for pain relief, they may not get the results they were hoping for. Bodies store and process CBD differently, especially in users over 40, sometimes even storing the CBD in body fat. As a result, an older person’s body may release the ingested CBD at a much slower rate than anticipated, if at all.
CBD and other medications
If you take CBD along with your other medications, the CBD may simply not work. Additionally, you may experience adverse reactions – same as you would by combining other medications that have the potential to clash. This risk is even more of an issue when combining CBD with stimulants or medications that cause drowsiness.
Bottom Line
As THC and CBD become more legitimized and taken seriously as medicine, it’s important to also take seriously the potential risks, especially if you’re a THC or CBD user over 40.
You should be aware of potential side effects, and check with your doctor before you combine THC or CBD with other medications – just as you would with any other type of medicine.
Sources: Stanford University, NIH, Harvard Medical School
