Milkshakes, nasal sprays, coffee, toothpicks, topical creams, hamburgers and suppositories -- with the current CBD trend, there seems to be no product off-limits. Cannabidiol is taking the health world by storm and is touted as an ailment panacea. This legal, nonpsychoactive cousin of the controlled compound THC is found both in cannabis plants and less controversial hemp plants. Research has shown that CBD is safe to use and suitable for all age groups. Until recently, the CBD movement has mainly been embraced by the younger generation. But as more and more seniors look toward CBD for relief, it is important to highlight what we know, what we don't know and how CBD may fit into a health plan for the elderly.

Although CBD has been reported to cure cancer and reduce or reverse countless bodily ailments, we can only rely on what science actually supports through measured, peer-reviewed and repeatable clinical trials. According to a 2018 article by Dr. Peter Grinspoon for the Harvard Health Blog, due to CBD being largely unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration, there are only a handful of worthy CBD studies. They support several uses for CBD including treatment of insomnia, anxiety and chronic pain. Let's dig into these findings and the health and wellness possibilities for older adults.

Sleep problems are fairly common among seniors, and CBD has been hailed as a solution for catching more z's. In a 2019 interview with CNN World Sport's Don Riddell, two-time PGA Masters champion Bubba Watson claimed he uses CBD to help him stay calm and drift off to sleep. But is there any evidence to Watson's -- and a growing body of thousands of CBD users' -- endorsement? The New York Times' Dawn MacKeen interviewed Dr. Scott Shannon, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado, Denver and the lead author of a clinical study on CBD's potential for improving sleep quality. While no significant improvements in sleep quality showed for the 72 psychiatric patients treated with CBD, many did experience a reduction in anxiety, which helped them get to sleep. Given that falling asleep is often half the battle, CBD could lead to more restful nights.

Seniors may experience stress from physical ailments, loneliness or loss of loved ones. CBD is widely reported as an anxiety treatment: A 5,000 participant survey conducted by the cannabis market research firm Brightfield Group, for example, showed that more than 60% of CBD users take it for anxiety. CBD even seems to work effectively as an antidepressant, oftentimes working faster than conventional prescriptions. The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation reports that 10% to 20% of seniors experience anxiety, and it is often undiagnosed. If you or your loved ones are having a difficult time falling asleep or getting through the day due to mental health stressors, CBD is on the horizon as an option for caging the monkey mind.

Chronic pain and neurological disorders are widespread in the elderly populace, and many are turning to CBD in hope of relief. One million Americans suffer from Parkinson's, and 400,000 suffer from multiple sclerosis, says the Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center. Fifty percent of people ages 65 and older surveyed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experience symptoms of arthritis. Although there is a need for more high-quality evidence on CBD doses and treatment for chronic pain, several studies now support this use. A 2016 study published in the European Journal of Pain found significant evidence that topical CBD application could be an effective treatment for arthritic pain. A 2012 study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine showed that CBD oil was effective in suppressing inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Although these studies are few and far between, many CBD users report strong improvements in pain management with both topical and oral application.

All in all, we still don't know a lot about CBD or its long-term effects. But science is discovering new uses for CBD every year as well as continual support for use as a relatively low-risk supplemental health treatment that improves quality of life. Talk to your doctor to see whether cannabidiol is worth a try.