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Cannabis in the Geriatric Population

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Cannabis in Psychiatric Practice

Part of the book series: Psychiatry Update ((PU,volume 3))

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Abstract

The elderly, those 65 years of age and older, are increasingly using cannabis-derived products. These geriatric individuals are at increased risk of psychiatric and other medical adverse effects and events due to their decreased physical and cognitive reserve and changes in their physicality. Recreational use of cannabis in this population has not been well studied, but medical marijuana use has been investigated more frequently. Many elderly individuals use marijuana for medical purposes, especially to treat sleep disturbances, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. The physiology of the elderly is different from younger individuals and this impacts the way in which marijuana is processed, experienced, and eliminated. Drug–cannabis interactions have hardly been studied and may be considerable in this population, increasing the risk of polypharmacy sequelae. Cannabis may increase falls and fractures in the elderly due to changes in cognition and motor coordination. These cognitive and motor changes also have implications for the elderly and driving. Marijuana impairs cognition acutely but its long-term effects are largely unknown. It has been studied with regard to treating the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and studies are mixed. Overall the current evidence is insufficient to recommend cannabis for this indication. Its usage to treat chronic pain is more established. When evaluating an elderly individual, inquire about use of cannabis or marijuana substances. Be nuanced in your interview and realize that elderly people may not consider medical marijuana a substance of abuse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Helena Winston

  2. Denver Health, Denver, CO, USA

    Helena Winston

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Correspondence to Helena Winston .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Paula Riggs

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Thida Thant

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Winston, H. (2022). Cannabis in the Geriatric Population. In: Riggs, P., Thant, T. (eds) Cannabis in Psychiatric Practice. Psychiatry Update, vol 3. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04874-6_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04874-6_16

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-04873-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-04874-6

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