New research finds that people over age 60 use cannabis primarily to manage pain and sleep, often relying on word of mouth over medical advice.

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RT’s Three Key Takeaways:

1. Primary Motivations: Older adults are increasingly using cannabis edibles to address chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and mental health concerns to improve their overall quality of life.
2. Social Influence: Decisions regarding cannabis use and product selection among the 60-plus demographic are heavily influenced by word of mouth and anecdotes from social circles rather than clinical consultation.
3. Provider Communication: A significant gap exists in communication between patients and healthcare providers, suggesting a need for better clinical resources and informational tools to support informed decision-making.

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Cannabis use is increasing faster among adults over 60 than in any other demographic, yet research is only beginning to understand the motivations behind this trend. A new study by researchers from University of Utah Health and University of Colorado Boulder revealed that many older adults start using cannabis to manage sleep disturbances, chronic pain, or mental health concerns, according to data published in JAMA Network Open.

The researchers interviewed 169 adults over 60 who were preparing to purchase cannabis for the first time to identify their primary motivations. The study found that most participants were not interested in the psychoactive effects of the products but were seeking symptomatic relief.

“Overall, they really wanted better quality of life, reducing their pain, getting better sleep, and being able to enjoy time with family and friends a little bit more,” said Rebecca Delaney, PhD, assistant professor of population health sciences at University of Utah Health and first author on the study, in a news release.

The study also highlighted that many participants based their decisions on feedback from friends or family members rather than professional medical advice.

“For the most part, we found that these folks aren’t really interested in getting high. They just want to feel better,” said Angela Bryan, PhD, professor of psychology and neuroscience at University of Colorado Boulder and senior author on the study, in a news release.

Product Selection and Decision-Making

Older adults also faced decisions regarding which specific products to use. Edible cannabis products may contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or a combination of both. While many perceived CBD-only products as therapeutically beneficial and THC as a way to improve mood, most participants chose combination products. These were often viewed as a “Goldilocks option” that provided the perceived benefits of both components.

The research suggested that word of mouth has a significant impact on how these products are perceived and selected. Discussions with healthcare providers were rarely a part of the decision-making process, suggesting that better informational materials for patients and providers could be needed to drive conversations.

Improving Clinical Support

The study was conducted in Colorado, where recreational cannabis is legal. While the decision-making process might differ in states where only medical use is permitted, researchers noted that core motivations likely remain the same across different legal environments.

The findings provide a foundation for developing better informational tools and clinical support for both patients and physicians.

“The ultimate goal is to develop resources to help people make decisions and find products that meet their needs, and to figure out how we can distill information to patients and physicians,” said Delaney, in a news release. “We would really love to see more of these conversations happening between physicians and patients to make sure that people feel supported and informed when seeking alternative ways to address their pain.”