Knowledges and Use of Cannabidiol in Older Adults Aged 65 Years and Over in France

Cannabidiol may be used by patients because it may have beneficial pharmacological effects (including anxiolytic, analgesic, anti-inflammatories or antioxidant effects). Older adults aged 65 years and over, are more frequently at risk of multimorbidity and loss of autonomy, and may present with several symptoms like pain, anxiety, sleep disturbances, that may potentially respond to CBD. The molecule is often marketed as devoid of adverse effects. Nevertheless, with ageing, reduction in liver and kidney function, may have an impact on the metabolism and elimination of CBD and increase the risk of side-effect. As well, the risk of interaction with drugs frequently prescribed in older adults such as CYP3A4 inhibitors (verapamil, ketoconazole …), CYP3A4 inducers (phenytoin, carbamazepine, …) or CY92C19 inhibitors or inducers (fluoxetine …), may increase the risk of side effects. Our hypothesis is that the use of CBD has increased last years in older adults, but that they are insufficiently informed about this molecule. There is a need to assess the prevalence of CBD use in older adults in France, to assess the knowledges of CBD users about this substance, and to better characterize CBD users.