There are several conditions for which researchers have extolled the efficacy of Cannabidiol (CBD). But what do they have to say about CBD and Hypertension? Can CBD lower blood pressure?
High blood pressure, medically known as Hypertension is a risk factor in heart attack, stroke and type-2 diabetes. Although there are several remedies for the condition, new evidence suggests that CBD can help lower blood pressure and reverse the risk factors associated with hypertension.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a prevalent condition that affects adults and some younger people as well. The condition can best be described as an unusual high systolic and diastolic pressure reading of the blood pressure of a healthy individual.
Consider this, when blood is pumped through the blood vessels and veins, it exerts considerable force on the walls of these vessels, veins and arteries, and if the pressure exceeds the normal, the spike can cause damage to the walls of your blood vessels, and in some cases, rupture the veins and/or arteries. In cardiology, a systolic pressure of 140, and/or a diastolic pressure of 90, is considered the boundary between normal and high blood pressure.
Usually blood pressure readings are described by two numbers, say 135/80.
The first number refers to the systolic pressure, the pressure exerted when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries, and the second is the diastolic pressure, measured when the heart muscle relaxes between beats. People who suffer from high blood pressure run the risk of cardiovascular complications such as heart disease, heart attack, stroke, aneurysm and heart failure.
Lifestyle choices top the list of several factors that can cause high blood pressure. Other factors include stress, anxiety, inflammation, high cholesterol levels, insomnia, a consistent diet with too much salt, and alcohol/tobacco use.
Lowering High Blood Pressure: CBD and Blood Pressure
Prescription medications for high blood pressure have been noted to cause several side effects including; headaches, dizziness, constipation and swollen ankles, and this has naturally raised interest in more natural ways to deal with the problem.
High blood pressure can be naturally lowered by reducing stress, salt intake, and consumption of alcohol and tobacco. You can also lower your risk of hypertension by exercising regularly, eating more fruits and vegetables. However, scientific evidence suggests that CBD can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure before and after a stressful situation.
In the study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), British doctor and scientist Khalid Jadoon administered a single dose of 600 mg of CBD oil or a placebo to nine healthy volunteers. The resulting data showed that acute administration of CBD reduced resting blood pressure compared to placebo dosing.
In the switch phase, the patients were subjected to a series of stress tests to increase heart rate. Those who had been given 600 mg of CBD had lower stress-induced blood pressure spikes than the control group.
Although the sample size of the study was small, the results are quite impressive. A single dose of cannabidiol lowered the blood pressure of patients, whether they were resting or under stress.
In another placebo-controlled study involving 11 participants, researchers suggested that CBD can decrease blood pressure by decreasing cortisol levels. Recall that high level of the cortisol hormone has been linked to increased emotional or physical stress and in turn a higher blood pressure.
The study recorded a significant reduction in cortisol production with participants given 300 mg and 600 mg of CBD compared to the placebo control. Quite impressive!
Even as further research is required to establish whether CBD has a role in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, the above results have shown that CBD has a good promise as a veritable intervention medication.
Some distinct qualities that scientist suggest plays a role in CBD’s efficacy as a treatment medication for hypertension are its ability to help with anxiety, inflammation, its analgesic properties and its ability to help with sleep disorders.
Anti-Anxiety: Stress and anxiety are some of the leading causes of increased heart rate. Rapid heart rates and palpitations are potential risk factors in high blood pressure and heart diseases.
Scientific evidences abound shows that CBD oil can reduce anxiety and the symptoms that accompany anxiety, like high blood pressure and rapid heart rate.
Anti-inflammatory: Inflammation is central to developing hypertension. One of the signs of failing blood vessels and veins is inflammation in and around the vessels and veins. Research suggests that CBD can function as a vaso-relaxant, reducing inflammation in and around the veins in the head, heart and other parts of the body.
By allowing the free flow of blood through your heart, arteries and veins, CBD can help to reduce the risk of developing hypertension.
Analgesic Properties: According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acute pain can lead to high blood pressure. Because CBD acts on the pain receptors in the brain, the pain-relieving properties of CBD could lead to decreased blood pressure.
CBD Improves Sleep: As CBD reduces stress, you may see an increase in your quality of sleep and general wellness. The more sleep and relaxation you enjoy, the better your body becomes at managing stress and some of the associated risk factors for hypertension. Rest is good for the body, helping to restore your body to a state of balance.
Choosing CBD for High Blood Pressure
There are no prescriptions for how CBD can work to help you reduce hypertension. However, some forms of CBD are better at getting the job done than others.
CBD oils and vapes are good candidates for using CBD for hypertension. You can mirror the dosing used in the research studies above and work your way up or down depending on the reactions you obtain.
Because the use of CBD is largely unregulated, it is best to get CBD only from reputable and reliably qualified manufacturers and vendors. High-quality CBD oil, capsules, topicals, juice for vaping, or edibles will always produce a better result, so it’s best to do a little research to find reputable vendors who create effective products.
After finding the perfect source, the next concern is whether you would feel better with full-spectrum CBD, Broad-spectrum or CBD Isolates.
While all would do just right, most individuals who do not favor THC would feel better with CBD isolates. Isolates are pure crystalline powder that offers all the benefits of CBD without the risk of intoxication or failing a drug screen.
However, if you favor getting all the benefits that cannabis plant has to offer, then your best choice would be the full-spectrum CBD. Hempingus has in stock top of the range, organically manufactured CBD oils, delta-8 CBD products, vape juices, edibles, topicals and capsules that meets all your CBD needs.
Conclusion
The cited studies have shown great promise and as we have seen above, CBD can help in decreasing blood pressure and reverse the effects of the risk factors of hypertension. While there is still room for more research, it is safe to say that a regular dose of CBD can significantly reduce your risk of developing hypertension.
