OAPs hospitalised for cannabis in UK at record high.
A record number of senior Brits were hospitalised after smoking cannabis in 2024 amid an upsurge in 'silver smokers', according to new figures.
Over 2,700 adults aged 65 or older, including 9 adults over 90, were admitted to hospital in England between April 2023 and March 2024 suffering from adverse reactions to cannabis. This is a rise of 56% on pre-pandemic levels and 650% on a decade ago.
Patients admitted to the hospital reported suffering from hallucinations and withdrawal symptoms. In the UK, laws concerning the medical use of cannabis were changed six years ago. This has permitted doctors to prescribe cannabis products to patients with conditions such as epilepsy, cancer-related vomiting and multiple sclerosis symptoms.
NHS figures, acquired by The Sun show that admissions among the older generation comprised 1,100 patients in their 70s, 110 in the 80s bracket and nine patients in their 90s.
Specialists have partly linked the rise to older people attempting to self-medicate. Some experts have speculated that some older adults may be oblivious to the drug's strength.
What are the Symptoms of Ingesting too much Cannabis?
Typical symptoms of ingesting too much cannabis include paranoia, hallucinations and numbness in your limbs.Figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate that cannabis is still the most popular drug among 16 to 59-year-olds in England and Wales.
Use was at its highest among the 20 to 24 age bracket last year, figures show. Just over 25% of all young adults questioned between April 2023 and March 2024 admitted to smoking weed in their lifetime.
THC stimulates regions of the brain implicated in mood, attention, and memory while activating the release of the hormone dopamine, which is accountable for reward and pleasure feelings.
Studies have found that small, irregular doses have a nominal long-term impact. However, some studies have also revealed that regular cannabis use can raise the risk of severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, as well as insomnia, social anxiety and other mental health disorders.
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Liz Filmer
