Why More People Over 60 Are Turning To Delta 8 THC

4 jars of Delta Munchies' delta 8 THC gummies on a yellow set.

Cannabis isn’t just for the “kids” anymore.

More and more people over the age of 60 are turning towards cannabis as a natural alternative to help them with a myriad of ailments that are oftentimes treated by a frustrating amount of pharmaceutical pills. In fact, a 2020 study done by UC San Diego Health found that a staggering 61% of new medical cannabis users were over the age of 60.

The use of cannabis in seniors has grown so exponentially that even Harvard Medical School decided to take a look into this spike. What exactly is causing this significant rise in cannabis use among seniors?

Factors like legality, reduced stigma, and cannabis education are cited as the main reasons that many older individuals are finally coming around to the notion that cannabis isn’t actually the dangerous drug they may have grown up thinking it was. And word of mouth is a powerful thing; as more seniors try cannabis and reap positive results, the more they recommend it to their friends.

Cannabis use among people over 60 has become one of the biggest demographics in the cannabis industry, and it doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

 

Cannabis for Seniors

When you think of cannabis, you may immediately associate it with getting high; but there are a lot of other uses of the cannabis plant that have nothing to do with getting stoned. Some cannabinoids (like CBD) don’t get you high at all, and some strains of THC (like delta 8 and delta 10) don’t produce the same intense psychoactive experience as delta 9 THC.

CBD, HHC, and delta 8 THC are becoming the most popular cannabinoids used among seniors. Since CBD is non-psychoactive and HHC and delta 8 THC are significantly less potent than delta 9 THC, these cannabinoids have become increasingly enticing options for seniors who are looking for cannabis to help them with relief without getting them high.

Is THC safe for seniors?

Are edibles safe for seniors? While there hasn’t been any specific evidence to suggest that edibles are explicitly unsafe for seniors, there has been some evidence to suggest that marijuana side effects after 50 may be different than the effects users may experience at a younger age.

There are a few different factors that go into how marijuana affects each individual, and age is one of them. The effects that you feel from using marijuana may change as you age, with some effects being more prevalent than others at certain times during your life. The reason for this is primarily because of organ function.

For example, when we smoke weed, we inhale the cannabinoids through the lungs and absorb them through the bloodstream. And when we consume cannabinoid-infused edibles, they’re digested through the stomach and then metabolized through the liver. As we age, we encounter an increased risk of decreased organ function, meaning organs like your lungs or liver may not work as well as they used to. This can alter the absorption and metabolization of cannabinoids, changing the way THC affects the body.

This doesn’t inherently mean that edibles are unsafe, but if you’re considering using cannabis after the age of 50, you should talk to your primary care doctor first. It’s essential to keep up with your general health, monitor organ function, and use THC in a safe and responsible way.

 

Why More People Over 60 Are Turning to Delta 8 THC

Because marijuana affects everyone differently, there’s no one single reason why people over the age of 60 are during to delta 8. However, there are a few reasons that seem to be a common denominator between seniors who have decided to use delta 8 as a natural remedy for things that may otherwise require pharmacological intervention.

One of these reasons is the fact that delta 8 THC is significantly less potent than delta 9 THC. Delta 9 THC is the primary psychoactive component of the cannabis plant and is the one that’s mostly responsible for the high that you feel when you smoke weed. It’s also very strong.

While this high is what draws so many people to the plant, it’s also what deters a lot of others. Some people want to reap the many wonderful benefits without getting super high, and delta 8 THC provides that option.

Trena Fontaine, 77, of South Carolina, has been using delta 8 gummies to help her with the chronic insomnia issues she’s been struggling with over the last couple of years. In her words, she said she’s never in her life tried anything that’s worked so well.

“Strangely, I never used to have issues sleeping until I got older,” Trena explained. “For some reason, after I turned 75, I began having a lot of trouble sleeping. I also have arthritis and hypothyroidism and have to take medication to manage those, so I haven’t been interested in adding another pharmacological pill into my routine. I’ve tried all kinds of natural remedies and nothing has worked, but once I was introduced to delta 8, it changed my life. I get a good night’s sleep every single night that I take a gummy, and I don’t feel groggy at all in the morning.”

Trena swears by delta 8 so much that she’s even put her sister, Pam Gabso, 72, also of South Carolina, onto delta 8 to help her sleep, too.

“Similar to my sister, I also began to have some trouble sleeping as I got older,” Pam emphasized.  “The aches and pains just keep you up as you age. Trena had been using these gummies for a while and was raving about how they helped her sleep without making her feel groggy in the morning, so I asked her to give me a couple to try, and I couldn’t believe it––I hadn’t slept that well in years! I immediately ordered some for myself and can’t imagine sleeping without them now. It’s just incredible.”

While these senior sisters have had success with delta 8 helping them get a good night’s sleep, there are other seniors who use delta 8 as a way to manage other things like pain, arthritis, and even dementia.*

 

Cannabis for Pain in the Elderly

Does weed help with pain? There’s been evidence that suggests cannabis can be helpful for both temporary and chronic pain. The same UC San Diego Health study that revealed 61% of new medical marijuana users were over the age of 60 also revealed that one of the top reasons these patients were referred to medical cannabis was for pain.

Many seniors experience chronic pain in their bones and joints due to general deterioration, but don’t want to be put on strong, addictive painkillers like opioids. Opioids can also get their users high and, depending on the user, can even produce a much stronger high than cannabis.

This has prompted an increasing number of elderly individuals to search for remedies that aren’t addictive or come with a laundry list of adverse side effects and has opened the door for cannabis use in older patients who have been struggling with pain.

CBD, a completely non-psychoactive cannabinoid, has been widely and legally used for health and wellness purposes in the United States over the last couple of years. And while CBD has dominated the wellness space for a long time, delta 8 THC has risen among the ranks of cannabinoids harnessed for their health and wellness purposes.

Different from CBD, delta 8 has the potential to cause a mild psychoactive experience, but is still not as potent as full-strength cannabis. Some people consider delta 8 to be like CBD with an extra kick, making it an enticing option for people who may have tried CBD but feel like they need a little something more.

 

THC for Arthritis in Seniors

Does cannabis help arthritis? While there’s no cure for arthritis, there are ways to manage it, and cannabis can be a great tool to utilize for seniors who struggle with arthritis pain and swelling. Cannabis and THC in particular have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to ease the pain and discomfort that comes with arthritis. THC has shown to be more effective than CBD in terms of inflammation relief, so delta 8 THC has become a go-to option for seniors with arthritis who don’t want to get super stoned off of delta 9 THC.

 

Cannabis for Dementia

Does marijuana help dementia? The answer to this is inconclusive. There simply hasn’t been enough research done to decisively say whether cannabis does help or does not help dementia. 

Additionally, there are still too many unanswered questions surrounding dementia and other memory-eroding conditions like Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, medical scientists haven’t been able to find the root cause of dementia or Alzheimer’s and thus have been unable to find a cure for them. This means that most of what we know about cannabis for dementia comes completely from anecdotal user experiences.

While some seniors have reported that cannabis use has helped them during their struggles with memory loss, others have reported the opposite. This emphasizes again that, like all other substances, cannabis can and will affect every single individual entirely differently. What may work for one person may not work for another.

 

Where to Buy Delta 8 Edibles

Delta Munchies’ delta 8 gummies are the delta 8 gummies senior sisters Trena and Pam swear by. They come in a variety of flavors and strengths, so there’s something for everyone. (Pro tip: if you want a smaller dose than what’s in one single gummy, you can cut them up into smaller pieces!)

Best Delta 8 Edibles

Delta Munchies’ delta 8 gummies are a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of delta 8. Their gummies come in a variety of flavors, strengths, and sizes, so there’s something for everyone.

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  • Delta 8 Peach Rings. Consistently one of Delta Munchies’ best sellers, these Delta 8 Peach Rings are an infused nod to the traditional non-infused gas station snack.
  • Delta 8 Gummy Bears. These aren’t your grandma’s gummy bears! Delta Munchies’ Delta 8 Gummy Bears are reminiscent of a gummy bear vitamin with delta 8 instead.
  • Delta 8 Sour Worms. Who doesn’t love gummy worms? Delta Munchies’ Delta 8 Sour Worms are just as delicious as everyone’s favorite snack with a delta 8 kick to boot.
  • Delta 8 Watermelon Bites. Delta Munchies’ Delta 8 Watermelon Bites are a simple but absolutely delicious way to enjoy the benefits of delta 8.

 

Where to Buy Delta 8 Tinctures

If gummies aren’t your thing, delta 8 tinctures are another excellent option for seniors who are looking for a way to take delta 8 that doesn’t involve inhaling any smoke through the lungs. Delta Munchies’ tinctures are as versatile as they are effective, leaving the options open to mix them into food, drink, or just take straight. 

Best Delta 8 Tinctures

Delta Munchies’ delta 8 tinctures are vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, and exist in a fast-acting water soluble formula. These tinctures are made to be taken sublingually (under the tongue) or mixed into your favorite food or beverages.

  • Delta 8 Cherry Lime Tincture. In this best-selling cherry lime tincture, you get the succulent sweetness of cherry along with the citrus zing of lime all in one dropper.
  • Delta 8 Mango Tincture. Our sweet and exotic mango tincture is loaded with a tropical flavor profile that will redefine the meaning of a “stoned” fruit!
  • Delta 8 Sour Apple Tincture. Bursting with a juicy flavor and tart taste, drop this tincture into an apple pie or a heartwarming cider to enhance the flavors with a delta 8 kick.
  • Delta 8 Strawberry Tincture. Our Strawberry tincture is delicious on its own, but is also the perfect ingredient to add to your fruity and refreshing food and drink recipes.

 

In Conclusion: Is Cannabis Use Good for Seniors?

The stark rise in cannabis use among people over 60 isn’t just a coincidence––it’s because it’s working. Cannabis has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal aid and has only been recently so stigmatized in our culture. The more cannabis regains its legality across the United States, the more research is allowed to be conducted on its continued medical benefits.

As far as safety, the only people who can determine whether cannabis use is safe for you are yourself and a trusted medical professional. Cannabis is generally considered safe, but like any other foreign substance that you put in your body, there are risks that you should be aware of.

Cannabis isn’t just for the kids anymore because cannabis isn’t just about getting high anymore. More seniors are finding out how cannabis can help them, and if you’re one of them, make sure to arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can before you start your journey into the world of ganja. You just might like it!

 

*Disclaimer: Delta Munchies is NOT providing any medical or legal cannabis advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the legality of cannabis or its potential effects of cannabis or any of its components, please reach out to a trusted medical or legal professional.

All statements made by Delta Munchies regarding delta 8, delta 9 THC, delta 10, HHC, CBD, and other cannabinoids have not been evaluated by the FDA. No entity at Delta Munchies is a medical professional, nor is Delta Munchies giving any medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the potential effects of cannabis, please reach out to a trusted medical professional. Delta Munchies fully adheres to the federal legal standards of hemp cultivation and distribution in the United States. For more information, visit our full disclaimer page.