The UK is home to around 12 million people over the age of 65, amounting to 18% of the total UK population. As a demographic, they are disproportionately at risk of a wide range of health issues, including chronic pain, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s. New research from Mamedica, the nation’s leading medical cannabis clinic, has shown that a staggering 70% of over 65’s have normalised their experience of chronic pain, however, 15% are avoiding their GP to not be prescribed strong pain meds. As a result, many are turning to CBD to remedy their discomfort.

In light of this, Jon Robson, CEO/Founder of Mamedica is available to commenton the benefits that cannabis-based medications can provide to older age patients. A case study is also available upon request.

A growing body of research has found that cannabidiol (CBD), may have the potential to treat a wide spectrum of common health conditions experienced by older people. For example, chronic pain is common in those over 65 as bone density decreases with age causing many to develop conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. Due to CBD’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, early research into the use of CBD as a treatment for acute and chronic pain is promising with various studies showing positive improvements. Additionally, CBD has been known as an effective supplement for decreasing the risk of heart disease, aiding in sleep and mood, and treating neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as anxiety and depression.

CBD is beneficial to older patients due to its ease of accessibility. The most common is CBD oil which can be taken orally or sublingually, which means it is dissolved beneath the tongue, as well as topical and transdermal products which provide targeted pain relief in specific areas by applying creams, ointments or patches to the skin.

Typically, doctors are encouraged to offer other therapies to patients such as exercise and yoga, cognitive behavioural therapy and acupuncture. However, due to the financial cost, the treatment is less widely available.

Mamedica’s consultants and specialists are offering Britons solutions for their chronic pain as well as check-up consultations to ensure that the patient’s symptoms are improving and their prescriptions are working well with their endocannabinoid system. Mamedica is able to prescribe for a widened number of conditions across pain, psychiatry, cancer-related illness, gastroenterological conditions and neurology.

Meet Andy Lowe, who has been with Mamedica for several months to receive help for multiple sclerosis (MS):

Just five years ago 57-year-old Andy Lowe from Dagenham felt as though he “was on death’s door”, however, after becoming a patient at Mamedica and using medicinal cannabis to treat his MS symptoms, Mr Lowe explains he has got his life back again. The strains he is prescribed – which are tailored to treat this specific condition – have helped with a number of areas including improved sleep and appetite, whilst also drastically reducing the debilitating pain and spasms.

Jon Robson, CEO and founder of Mamedica says:

“CBD can be ingested in various ways – through an oil or CBD-infused liquids, a vaporiser or orally. A specialist would be able to determine the most suitable method depending on the strength, how it’s administered and personal health factors.

“Specialist doctors at MAMEDICA prescribe CBD in the form of vaporisable flower or sublingual oil, especially for patients in psychiatry. Alternatively, CBD is widely available without prescription in various forms such as vape cartridges, gel capsules, gummies, lotions/creams and balms.

“All products released to be prescribed in the UK have to undergo rigorous testing. Within that testing process, you are able to identify exactly what’s in that particular cannabis strain or a particular vape cartridge, in terms of THC, CBD and terpenes.

“Our service offers unrestricted access to the widest range of cannabis-based prescription medicines available in the UK, and our healthcare model has been designed to deliver the fastest speed of service, from initial consultation to the patient receiving their prescription.”