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CBD for high blood pressure: Dosage, products, and how it works
Categories: CBD Hypertension 
Published: June 11, 2021
Author: Kristina Galea
Medical News Today
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CBD For High Blood Pressure: Dosage, Products, And How It Works

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound that may help reduce some factors in high blood pressure, such as stress, anxiety, and poor sleep quality.

This article explores whether or not CBD can help with high blood pressure, or hypertension, any potential health benefits and risks, which products are available, and some alternatives to CBD.

Is CBD legal? Hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are legal federally but still illegal under some state laws. Cannabis-derived CBD products, on the other hand, are illegal federally but legal under some state laws. Check local legislation, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved nonprescription CBD products, which may be inaccurately labeled.

CBD and hypertension

Cannabis sativa, which people may refer to as marijuana or hemp, contains two main active ingredients.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has psychoactive properties, so people may experience euphoria. CBD, the other ingredient in marijuana, comes from hemp. CBD may contain small amounts of THC.

Blood pressure is the pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries. Arteries carry blood so that it can travel from the heart to other parts of the body.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source state that it is normal for blood pressure to rise and fall throughout the day. However, if an individual’s blood pressure levels are consistently high, they may have hypertension.

A person may not know that they have hypertension because those who have it do not typically experience any symptoms. As a result, healthcare professionals may recommend regularly checking blood pressure.

If a person does not receive diagnosis and treatment, hypertension may lead to other health conditions, such as:

heart attack

stroke

chest pain

Can CBD lower blood pressure?

There is some evidence to suggest that CBD may help lower blood pressure.

Doctors may prescribe medications for people with high blood pressure. If an individual is taking blood pressure medications and uses CBD products, it is important for them to inform a doctor.

What does the research say?

Some research studies indicate that products containing CBD may help with lowering blood pressure.

A 2020 study found that CBD may have vasodilatory effects in human and rat arteries. The authors suggest that CBD may improve a person’s blood flow, as it widens their blood vessels.

Additionally, a 2017 study looked at the effects of a single dose of CBD oil in healthy participants. The authors found that it lowered blood pressure in individuals who were at rest and those under stress.

According to the American Institute of Stress, stress may cause blood pressure to rise. This is due to the heart pumping faster and stress hormones constricting the blood vessels.

However, researchers need to conduct more studies to determine the effect of CBD on cardiovascular conditions.

Risks of CBD

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that there may be some potential risks when using CBD products. These may include:

interactions with other medications

drowsiness or sedation, if the individual is taking medications that treat anxiety, stress, or sleep disorders

an increased risk of diarrhea and loss of appetite

mood changes, such as irritability and agitation

liver injury

low blood pressure

A 2017 research study found that taking CBD with antihypertensive medications may change the blood concentration of either substance. If an individual uses CBD and blood pressure medications, it is important for them to inform a doctor.

CBD and pregnancy

The FDA does not recommend using CBD products during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

There is not enough research into how CBD may affect a developing fetus. There is some evidence, however, to suggest that high doses of CBD in pregnant test animals may affect a male fetus’s reproductive system.

That said, one 2021 study investigating the effects of CBD in pregnant mice found that daily doses of CBD were unlikely to accumulate in the mice and their fetuses.

There needs to be more research to investigate the potential risks of CBD use during pregnancy.

CBD products for blood pressure

CBD products that may suit people with hypertension come in oils, gummies, tinctures or drops, and capsules. They can either be full-spectrum or broad-spectrum.

Full-spectrum products consist of naturally occurring cannabis plant extracts and up to 0.3% THC. Broad-spectrum CBD products have several cannabis plant compounds, but they are free of THC. However, sometimes, these may still contain traces of THC.

It is important to check a product’s label before making a purchase. Some products may contain up to 0.3% THC.

When to contact a doctor

People with hypertension do not usually have any symptoms, so those with a higher risk of it may need regular screening.

Healthcare professionals can suggest a treatment plan to help prevent or treat hypertension. For example, they may prescribe medications to help treat hypertension.

A person should consult a doctor before taking any products containing CBD, as the interaction between these products and certain medications can cause serious side effects.

People who experience side effects from CBD products should cease use and seek medical help immediately.

Summary

Hypertension does not usually cause any symptoms. A person might not know that they have it unless they receive a diagnosis of it.

There are various medical treatments available. There is also evidence to suggest that products containing CBD may help.

A person who uses blood pressure medications should consult a doctor before using any CBD products.


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