Seniors finding better sleep with a solution from nature

Nothing like a good night’s sleep.

Yet, for many older adults, the aging process often brings a host of sleep issues and disturbances. Beyond just annoying or inconvenient, this sleep deprivation can cause a host of medical issues for seniors—everything from an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and falls to higher rates of dementia.

The problem is not only rampant across age groups but is also growing worse, with more than half of U.S. residents reporting their sleep declined in the past two years, and 76% admitting to purchasing some type of sleep aid to help the problem.

Not all sleeping aids are appropriate for seniors, however.

The risks of sleep medications for older adults

Older adults must approach any medicine with caution, and prescription sleeping pills are no exception. These sleep-inducing drugs may dangerously increase a senior’s risk of a fall during the night and may cause additional confusion for those older adults who already live with some level of cognitive impairment.

Even OTC medicines carry their own risks: The antihistamine known as diphenhydramine found in many options may cause constipation and even confusion in some seniors. Even regular use of melatonin has been recently linked to a higher risk of “incident dementia and early mortality,” according to one recent study.

Yet, sleep issues persist among older adults. A recent poll from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation found that among adults aged 65 to 80, 32% had trouble falling asleep one to two nights during a typical week, and 15% had trouble on three or more nights.

A natural solution for sleep

Many older adults have instead turned to products containing cannabidiol (CBD), one of the active ingredients in cannabis (marijuana). CBD is derived from the hemp plant, which is a cousin to the marijuana plant and does not cause a “high.” Instead, CBD has been recognized by many consumers as an effective way to relieve symptoms from a variety of ailments—everything from stress and joint discomfort to pain after exercise.   

And, yes, occasional sleeplessness as well.

Two new innovative products from global wellness company Elixinol were created to allow CBD to support sleep the natural way.

“We are especially excited about these new innovations, particularly at a time when consumers are recognizing that a restful night of sleep is paramount to overall health and vitality,” said Rob Hasselman, Elixinol president. “It was important to us to expand this important sleep category and bring innovative options to the market. These products are a testament to Elixinol’s dedication to science and technology as the basis for product development.”

Both new products are melatonin-free and designed to support optimal sleep. The Sleep Rapid Rest Liposome uses microscopic bubbles to carry the CBD, allowing your body to easily absorb all its benefits. Try several pumps of the liquid stirred into a cool glass of water before bedtime. Offered in a sweet vanilla bean flavor, the liposome is a custom formulation of CBD, CBN (cannabinol, another natural cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant), lemon balm and chamomile. Sleep Rapid Rest is available in 300 mg bottles for $59.99 and 1,000 mg bottles for $149.99.

The second product is a blueberry-flavored sleep gummy, featuring broad-spectrum hemp extract with 15 mg of CBD and 2 mg of CBN. Offered in jars of 30, these vegan gummies have a reputation for helping to promote relaxation and calm before bedtime, and sell for $29.99.

The company offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee for anyone who isn’t completely satisfied. In addition to rigorous third-party testing and quality control, Elixinol also provides detailed certificates of analysis (COAs) for all its products.

That commitment to excellence has served as a cornerstone of the company’s philosophy since its founding in 2014, Hasselman said.

“Elixinol has been, and continues to be, committed to delivering the best-quality CBD products for people seeking effective wellness solutions.”