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Older Americans turn to marijuana for better sleep and pain relief: Here's what to know

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Older Americans turn to marijuana for better sleep and pain relief: Here's what to know

While cannabis has historically been more popular with younger groups, a growing number of older adults are turning to the drug for a variety of reasons — but are the potential benefits worth the risk?

A recent poll by the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that among people 50 years of age and older, around 21% said they have used a form of cannabis that contains the psychoactive compound THC at least once in the past year, and 12% use it on a monthly basis.

Dr. Barbara Krantz, medical director of Older Adults Program, Withdrawal Management and Chronic Pain for Caron Treatment Centers in Florida, said her practice has seen a “significant uptick” in the use of cannabis by individuals over the age of 50. 

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“In our patient population at Caron, nearly all patients in our Older Adult Program have admitted to trying cannabis in some form,” she told Fox News Digital. “So, it is very common.”

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A recent poll by the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that among people 50 years of age and older, around 21% said they have used cannabis within the past year, and 12% use it on a monthly basis. (iStock)

Why seniors turn to cannabis

Among the older adults who use cannabis, their primary reasons were to improve sleep (68%), to reduce pain (63%), to alleviate mental health issues (53%), and to relax or feel good (81%), according to the Michigan poll.

12% of adults over 50 use cannabis on a monthly basis.

“Most of the seniors we see report using cannabis products to manage issues such as sleep, pain, anxiety or depression, or a medical issue they’ve been struggling with,” Krantz said.

Today’s older adults are also the generation that grew up in the 60s and 70s, she noted, which means many of them may have earlier life experience with marijuana and may be more open to using it.

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10 risks cannabis poses for older adults

While many older adults may assume they are familiar with the effects of marijuana, that false sense of comfort could be dangerous, Krantz warned.

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“We’re finding that the marijuana or cannabis they remember is very different from what’s available today,” she said.

“Today’s marijuana is more potent, and their bodies are less able to process it.”

In some states, such as California, Oregon and Colorado, recreational cannabis use is legal. “This means seniors do not need a prescription and can purchase cannabis if they want it from a dispensary,” a legal expert said. (iStock)

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Krantz outlined the following 10 potential dangers associated with cannabis use for older adults.

  • Increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, increased hypertension and tachycardia
  • Interaction with other medications, which can increase their toxicity or decrease their effectiveness
  • Worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Accidental poisoning from ingestion
  • Balance issues that can lead to falls and breaks
  • Delayed reaction times that impair driving and cause accidents
  • Increased confusion or cognitive impairment
  • Psychosis
  • Increased anxiety, depression or anger
  • Surgery-related risks, including complications due to anesthesia and delays in healing

“Most of the seniors we see report using cannabis products to manage issues such as sleep, pain, anxiety or depression, or a medical issue they’ve been struggling with,” said a cannabis expert. (iStock)

“Seniors should talk to their health care provider and their pharmacist before using any marijuana or cannabis product, because there are very real and specific dangers for older adults when using these substances,” Krantz said.

Interactions with other medications can be particularly dangerous, warned Shari B. Kaplan, a licensed clinical social worker and plant medicine formulator at Cannectd Wellness in Boca Raton, Florida.

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“Cannabis needs to be taken with caution with certain medications,” she told Fox News Digital. 

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“Blood thinners or blood pressure medications are two types of medications you’ll need to manage carefully, working closely with a medical cannabis physician.”

Reducing pain is one of the common reasons that older adults may use cannabis, a poll found. (iStock)

Older patients could also face risks if they take too much cannabis for sleeping, Kaplan warned.

“If an elderly patient takes a high dose of THC in the evening to sleep, they need to be mindful of their balance if they wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom,” she said.

“Educating patients about taking their time when sitting up in bed and slowly standing with support is important for fall prevention.”

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Legalities of cannabis use

Laws regarding cannabis use vary by state, according to Russel Morgan, a principal at Morgan Legal Group in New York City.

In some states, such as California, Oregon and Colorado, recreational cannabis use is legal. 

Interactions with other medications can be particularly dangerous, experts warn. (iStock)

“This means seniors do not need a prescription and can purchase cannabis if they want it from a dispensary,” Morgan told Fox News Digital. 

“They are only required to show ID as proof of age, similar to purchasing alcohol.”

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In the majority of other states, cannabis is allowed for medical purposes. 

      

“Seniors who suffer from ailments such as chronic pain, arthritis or other qualifying conditions can get a doctor’s recommendation or medical marijuana card,” Morgan said.

In a handful of states, such as South Carolina and Nebraska, cannabis use is still illegal, the attorney noted. 

“We do not actually know the best mode of delivery, device or dose that may provide a benefit medically for a specific condition, because what’s currently available at your dispensary hasn’t been through a clinical trial,” a doctor said. (iStock)

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“It is important to note that on a federal level, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance and is considered illegal,” he added.

Krantz pointed out that a medical marijuana card is not actually a prescription, because marijuana and cannabis products are not FDA-approved. 

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“We do not actually know the best mode of delivery, device or dose that may provide a benefit medically for a specific condition, because what’s currently available at your dispensary hasn’t been through a clinical trial,” she said.

What seniors should know before taking cannabis

Regardless of age, it’s important to talk to your health care provider about any cannabis use, experts agree, just as you would about any other supplement.

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Dr. Robin Fowler, M.D., founder of Botanical Sciences, a Georgia medical cannabis provider, recommends that seniors start with a low dose and gradually increase it, especially if they are new to cannabis. 

Regardless of age, it’s important to talk to your health care provider about any cannabis use, experts agree, just as you would about any other supplement. (iStock)

“Understanding the difference between a few of the primary cannabinoids — THC, CBD and others — is essential to ensuring they achieve the desired effects without discomfort,” he told Fox News Digital.

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“Education is key — knowing the right strain, delivery method and dosage is vital for safe and effective use,” the expert continued.

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“It’s also essential for seniors to source their cannabis products from licensed, reputable dispensaries to ensure product quality and safety.”

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Katie Couric couldn’t remember the year or the president during frightening brain episode

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Katie Couric couldn’t remember the year or the president during frightening brain episode

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Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27.

In a post on Substack titled “The Day I’ll Never Remember,” she detailed a sudden episode that left her unable to recall the current month, year and president.

“I thought it was 2024. And I believed Joe Biden was president,” she wrote.

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The event occurred while Couric was attending the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado, during which she participated in two public panels — one on AI and one on journalism — both of which she cannot remember at all.

“I have no idea what we talked about, or of what occurred when the panels ended,” she said.

Journalist Katie Couric is sharing a scary medical episode that she experienced on June 27. (Getty Images)

John Molner — Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels — also shared his account.

After the event, someone told Molner that Katie wasn’t feeling well. When he reached her, an EMT and a doctor were tending to her. “I could tell something was off,” he wrote. “It could have been altitude sickness, but Katie was definitely not all there.”

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At the hospital, when Couric struggled to recall the year, the president and her grandchildren’s names, doctors began checking for a stroke.

An MRI revealed no signs of stroke, which was a relief, but “Katie’s ‘fog’ became a lot more apparent,” Molner wrote.

John Molner, Couric’s husband, who was in attendance at the festival and the two panels, also shared his account. (Getty Images)

“She repeatedly asked me the same questions: ‘What was I doing before we got to the hospital?’ ‘Why am I at the hospital?’”

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Couric was ultimately diagnosed with transient global amnesia, a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that prevents a person from forming new memories and may also erase some recent memories, according to Mayo Clinic.

“The cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself.”

It is not caused by a stroke, seizure or head injury, and it usually resolves completely within 24 hours.

“[It’s] just a very weird neural episode that’s pretty uncommon and, at least in most cases, is a ‘one and done’ experience,” Molner said.

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Couric said she finally began feeling “like herself” again around 9 p.m. and went to sleep at 2 a.m.

As TGA leaves a “permanent gap in memory” for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a “big, black hole.”

As TGA leaves a “permanent gap in memory” for the duration of the episode and for hours beforehand, Couric said that from around noon on that day until at least 7 p.m. will remain a “big, black hole.” (Getty Images)

Data shows that approximately three to eight people per 100,000 will have an episode of transient global amnesia, with people 50 years of age and older at higher risk.

The specific cause of TGA is not known, but some experts believe it stems from a “temporary dysfunction in the brain’s hippocampus — the area responsible for creating new memories,” Couric shared.

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“Doctors believe this is driven by brief interruptions in blood or oxygen flow, or microscopic spasm in the blood vessels.”

Episodes could potentially be triggered by intense physical exertion, emotional distress, extreme temperature changes or migraines, experts say.

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Approximately 15% of patients will have a recurrence 10 years later.

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“Why did this happen to me? Was the altitude an issue? Was I dehydrated? Tired? Stressed? The literature doesn’t seem to indicate that these are contributing factors, but the cause seems to be as mysterious as the brain itself,” Couric wrote.

Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise. (iStock)

“All I know is that those hours will be forever lost. Someone described it as my brain failing to hit the ‘record button.’”

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“While this was a freaky occurrence, it could have been much more serious. So ultimately, I’m relieved — even though several hours of a Saturday in June will always be missing for me.”

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Anyone who experiences sudden memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, numbness, vision changes, severe headache or other stroke-like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention or call 911, doctors advise.

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One walking habit could signal a healthier brain after 80, scientists say

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One walking habit could signal a healthier brain after 80, scientists say

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Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers.

That’s according to a recent study led by Stony Brook Medicine in New York, which evaluated the cognitive function of 4,000 adults 80 and over who participated in multiple aging and longevity studies over several years.

Among this group, 6% to 10% were classified as super movers, which means they walk at a much faster pace than others of the same age and gender — at speeds comparable to people three decades younger.

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The super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed.

The findings were published in the journal Neurology on June 16.

Older adults identified as “super movers” are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers. (iStock)

“The study reinforces that mobility and brain health are closely connected,” lead study author Dr. Joe Verghese, MD, neurologist at Stony Brook Medicine, told Fox News Digital. “This suggests that preserving mobility may be an important marker of healthy brain aging and resilience.”

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The most intriguing finding, according to Verghese, was that super movers maintained cognitive function despite having similar dementia-related brain changes as their peers.

In postmortem brain analysis, there was no difference in dementia-related pathologies between the super movers and the slower walkers, the study stated.

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“This suggests they may possess resilience mechanisms that help preserve brain function even in the presence of age-related changes,” he said. “Understanding these resilience factors could lead to new strategies for promoting healthy brain aging.”

As the study was observational, there were some limitations, and it does not prove that walking faster prevents dementia, the researchers noted.

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Super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed. (iStock)

“Other factors, such as cardiovascular health, physical fitness or genetics, may also contribute to both faster walking and better cognitive outcomes,” Verghese said.

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This study adds to growing evidence that what’s good for the heart and muscles also benefits the brain, he noted, adding that “staying physically active remains one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support healthy aging.”

“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment.”

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“The broader message is that physical activity is important at any age,” Verghese said. “Walking is an easy step-up point because you don’t need any special equipment. You can do it inside or outdoors, and you can do it on a regular basis. You can walk with a dog, you can walk with a friend.”

Any activity is beneficial if it’s done regularly and with the right intensity, he added.

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Rather than just trying to walk faster, the neurologist recommends that seniors focus on maintaining mobility through regular physical activity, strength training, balance exercises and good cardiovascular health.

“Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment,” Verghese noted.

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Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking.

Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking. (iStock)

This can be achieved by walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or about 20 to 25 minutes most days. Another option is to engage in shorter sessions that add up over the day.

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“You have to do it within your health limitations and medical conditions,” Verghese advised. “So if there are any medical concerns, I would get your physician to clear you before starting exercise.” The good thing about walking, he added, is that you can start at a slow pace and then gradually build up to a brisker pace.

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“And then adding on strength and balance training, whatever age you are, I think is also important.”

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I Tried the Viral Gelatin Weight-Loss Recipe—Here’s My Honest Take

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I Tried the Viral Gelatin Weight-Loss Recipe—Here’s My Honest Take


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I Tried the Viral Gelatin Weight-Loss Recipe: Does It Really Work?




















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