CBD for High Blood Pressure
What You Should Know
CBD Oil is a natural remedy for high blood pressure. It lowers stress levels and reduces inflammation, which can help prevent the onset of heart disease or stroke.
Hypertension can lead to eye damage or blindness, heart attack or stroke, kidney disease, aneurysm
This article will explore what you need to know about CBD Oil’s impacts on high blood pressure and how it may be used as treatment.
What is CBD?
However, unlike THC, CBD does not produce euphoric effects or cognitive impairment when administered to humans or animals.
Relevant animal studies have revealed that CBD help to manage high blood pressure.
So it might ideal for those who need to maintain their mental focus or drive. CBD is also popular for its medicinal benefits and has been found to be an effective treatment option for hypertension.
CBD products have the potential to become a substitute for high blood pressure medication.
But the benefits of CBD oil are not limited to cardiovascular issues, it can also help treat pain and several conditions like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and cancer-related symptoms.
How CBD works?
The ECS is responsible for sending messages to different parts of the body such as the brain, muscles, or organs throughout our entire body.
This complex system works by retaining cannabinoids from outside sources and releasing them in a controlled manner, which is why CBD has been found to be effective for treating high blood pressure.
Understanding hypertension
High Blood Pressure (hypertension) is a condition in which the blood pressure within your arteries becomes too high due to the heart pumping blood at a faster rate than normal.
The heart has to work harder when this occurs and signals an organ or tissue that is not getting enough oxygen, which can lead to damage or failure of the organ/tissue.
Hypertension affects about one-third of adults aged 18 years and the main causes can be:
- A family history of high blood pressure
- Unhealthy diet (excessive sodium intake, lack of fiber)
- Lack of physical activity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Obesity
- Smoking (nicotine)
- Stress and anxiety
High blood pressure symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness or fainting
- Chronic pain
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing (hyperventilation)
- Rapid heartbeat and pulse rate
- Cold sweats
- Nausea, throwing up, stomach bloating, or cramps.
All these symptoms are caused by the organs or tissues not getting enough oxygen and the heart and blood vessels trying to compensate.
It has been found that cannabidiol reduces blood pressure and can be an effective treatment for different cardiovascular disorders.
CBD oil is a natural remedy that has been found to lower stress levels, reduce inflammation and prevent the onset of heart disease.
CBD for high blood pressure
CBD also reduces inflammation, which is another factor that contributes to high blood pressure in adults.
This is because CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system by binding to cannabinoid receptors, which are found throughout our bodies.
CBD also goes to work on our hypothalamus, which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. By balancing out this system and reducing inflammation CBD can help lower blood pressure levels.
Blood pressure reading
Diastolic pressure and systolic blood pressure are the two types that define higher or lower blood pressure.
The first number is the systolic blood pressure, which measures how much pressure your body’s arteries have when your heart beats.
The second figure shows diastolic blood pressure – a measure of arterial tension between heartbeats at rest.
In this condition, your diastolic and systolic readings should be over 60mmHg in order for you to qualify as someone with normal levels of high blood pressure.
If they are below 50mmHg, then it’s considered a potential sign of hypotension or low blood pressure.
If your diastolic level is higher than 130, this is considered high blood pressure.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been found to be a powerful regulator of many physiologic processes such as pain perception and blood flow.
Animal studies have shown that CBD doesn’t work in just one way that could potentially lower high blood pressure levels. In fact, CBD works by having two functions:
1) It leads to an increase of nitric oxide production which results in better circulation throughout your body.
This can keep you feeling calm since many people who experience anxiety often have slow or even stopped breathing because their heart rate is up so much
2) Cannabinoids like cannabidiol interact directly with receptors called CB 1 (which are a type of cannabinoid receptor).
These interactions regulate neurotransmitter release from neurons and lower blood pressure
What the experts say
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD is a safe and non-intoxicating compound with potential medical benefits for various conditions including hypertension.
Research has found that CBD produces a significant reduction in blood pressure by leading to the opening of blood vessels.
According to a study from 2015 published on Cardiovascular Research, “Cannabidiol causes endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of human mesenteric arteries via CB1 activation”, which means that CBD can cause the inside of blood vessels to relax.
This helps stabilize blood pressure levels by opening up the artery and letting more oxygen flow through.
Blood pressure response to CBD
A 2017 study made by the Royal Derby Hospital Centre determined that a single drop of CBD can reduce high blood pressure in nine healthy volunteers.
This study proves that CBD helps to keep calm under different stress tests. The healthy volunteers who took a single dose of 600 mg of CBD had lower spikes in blood pressure than the group taking nothing at all.
CBD oil reduces resting blood pressure and the increase in heart rate brought on by stress. The increased hemodynamics of this substance should be taken into account for anyone taking it as a supplement.
Even though there have been several animal studies and human body tests, additional research must still be conducted to determine whether or not CBD is an effective treatment option for reducing blood pressure and other cardiovascular disorders.
CBD dosage for high blood pressure
Clinical data suggest that a single dose of around 150 to 600 mg of CBD is the ideal dose to reduce stress and make a difference in blood pressure readings
A recent study by Brazilian researchers found that CBD oil concentrations had a significant effect on people’s anxiety levels.
The team was curious if there was an optimal dose-the sweet spot for reducing public speaking jitters without having any side effects like drowsiness or dizziness.
The results showed that while all three doses of CBD reduced stress, 300 mg and 600 mg of CBD were better than a single dose of 150mg in relieving symptoms of social anxiety disorder.
How is CBD oil made?
CBD oil is made by extracting the beneficial compounds of hemp plants.
It can be extracted from either cannabis or industrial hemp, which are the same plants, but cannabis has higher levels of THC and industrial hemp does not.
CBD is usually combined with a carrier oil like coconut oil, almond oil, or another type of carrier to increase its absorption rate into the body.
There are different CBD products as CBD oil tinctures, CBD oil capsules, CBD edibles, balms, among others.
Types of CBD oil
Before taking CBD, you should know there’s 3 different types of CBD oils:
- Full-spectrum CBD: this type of CBD is derived from plants or flowers and contains a range of cannabinoids including THC, CBD, terpenes and other compounds that are produced by the same plant.
- Broad-spectrum CBD: It contains several cannabinoids but less than 0.03% of THC, so it will not make you high.
- CBD isolate: this oil has been stripped away of all other compounds found in cannabis so it only contains pure Cannabidiol (CBD).
Most people choose broad-spectrum CBD oil for high blood pressure since it is the most versatile and it will not interfere with your daily routine.
CBD Oil Health Benefits
Besides being effective for lowering blood pressure, CBD products can also help with:
- Cholesterol levels
- Pain relief
- Multiple sclerosis
- Emotional disorders and mood, like anxiety or depression.
- Post traumatic stress disorder
A study made in 2010 showed that CBD products can also help with epilepsy. Subjects in the experimental group experienced lower blood pressure, increased heart rate, and decreased stroke volume.
Safety and Side Effects
According to the Food and Drug Administration, there might be some risks for those who take CBD products, including:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Low blood pressure
- Dizzyness
- Loss of appetite
- Liver malfunctioning
Consuming CBD oil with other blood pressure prescription medicines or might produce toxic reactions in the liver.
If you’re taking prescription medications, you should know that CBD oil can interfere with the effectiveness of those medications.
This is because cannabinoids like cannabidiol are metabolized by CYP450 enzymes, which is the same enzyme that makes medications less potent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBD legal?
Just as hemp seed oil, CBD is a legal product, and it does not produce any psychoactive effects. However, CBD products derived from marijuana plants with high levels of THC are illegal in some states due to the presence of THC.
Can I drive after taking CBD?
If you’re using CBD oil-derived from industrial hemp without the presence of other harmful substances as THC.
How do I take CBD?
Some people prefer taking it orally with capsules or CBD oil for high blood pressure, while others choose topical treatments like balms or even edibles.
Where can you find high-quality CBD oil?
CBD products are usually sold in specialized stores or on the internet.
It’s recommended to buy CBD oil from a company that has been around for a while and is willing to show certificates of analysis, which can prove that they sell a pure product with no THC content (0%).
Does CBD help reduce blood pressure?
Research has shown that cbd can treat high blood pressure. Several studies have monitored the cardiovascular parameters in volunteers before and after taking CBD.
These studies have shown that CBD is able to stabilize the blood pressure level in highly stressful situations. Improving the blood flow in your body just as high blood pressure medications would do.
What are the health benefits of CBD?
Besides being effective for lowering blood pressure, CBD products can also help with:
- Cholesterol levels
- Pain relief
- Emotional disorders and mood, like anxiety or depression.
Can I give CBD to my child?
CBD is not recommended for children unless they are epileptic.
Researchers have yet to show whether CBD oil can be a substitute for long-term drug treatments or the use of prescription medications.
It’s always best to consult your doctor before taking any new product.
Can I take CBD with other medication?
Consuming CBD oil with other blood pressure prescription medicines or might produce toxic reactions in the liver.
If you’re taking prescription medications, you should know that CBD can interfere with their effectiveness.
This is because cannabinoids like cannabidiol are metabolized by CYP450 enzymes, which is the same enzyme that makes medications less potent.
What are the risks of taking CBD?
There are some risks for those who take CBD products: diarrhea, fatigue, low blood pressure, dizziness etc.
Does CBD work for hypertension?
CBD is a natural solution and it has been proven to be effective for lowering blood pressure. Studies have shown that CBD decreases the heart rate, increasing arterial stiffness.
Can I take CBD if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding then you need to make sure that none of these components-including cbd oil is present in your diet.
There is not enough research on CBD oil and pregnancy to determine whether it is safe.
Can CBD help with stress?
CBD can be an effective treatment for chronic stress, and not just because it produces a calming effect.
It has been shown to reduce anxiety by acting on the endocannabinoid system in our body, which is responsible for regulating moods, emotional responses-and of course pain perception.
Studies have also found that CBD can help people with depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to its ability to increase serotonin levels and produce feelings of calmness through increased activity in GABA receptors.
Bottomline:
In general, CBD oil seems like a promising treatment option for those who suffer from chronic conditions associated with high blood pressure such as angina pectoris or migraine headaches.
In addition to being effective for reducing symptoms related to these illnesses; CBD oil may be able to provide relief to those suffering from chronic stress or anxiety.
However, it is recommended not to use CBD oil without consulting a doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and take other medication for blood pressure.