CBD and blood pressure

What is hypertension?
Symptoms of high blood pressure
What causes high blood pressure?
Does CBD lower blood pressure?
Studies on the effect of CBD oil on blood pressure
Different species, different tissue types, different results?
Can CBD oil increase blood pressure?
Choosing the best CBD oil for high blood pressure

What is hypertension?

Before we look at the possible effects of CBD, let’s briefly introduce hypertension, its symptoms, and causes.

The term “blood pressure” refers to the force exerted by blood on blood vessels as it flows through them. It is measured in units called millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Blood pressure can be further classified as systolic or diastolic.

Systolic pressure measures the force exerted on the blood vessels when the heart muscle contracts. Diastolic blood pressure measures the force exerted by the heart muscle when it relaxes.

In hypertension (high blood pressure), the pressure of blood on the blood vessels is higher than normal. This increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Some people also use the term “elevated blood pressure.” This means that blood pressure is higher, but not significantly so.

People with elevated blood pressure can keep their condition under control by adopting a healthy lifestyle. People with stage 1 or 2 hypertension usually need medication.

The table below shows what constitutes normal, elevated, and high blood pressure:

Classification	Systolic (mmHg)	and/or	Diastolic (mmHg)
Normal	less than 120	and	less than 80
Elevated	120–129	and	less than 80
Hypertension Stage 1	130–139	or	80–89
Hypertension Stage 2	above 140	or	above 90

Symptoms of high blood pressure

Some people refer to hypertension as a “silent killer” because it usually does not cause any symptoms until serious problems arise. Therefore, regular blood pressure checks are essential, especially for people at increased risk (see below).

In severe cases, a condition known as hypertensive crisis may occur. This is a sudden and dramatic increase in blood pressure, which is very dangerous. This condition can cause various symptoms, including:

headache
dizziness
confusion
shortness of breath
chest pain
decreased urination
vomiting
vision changes, such as blurred vision

Anyone experiencing these symptoms of high blood pressure should seek medical attention immediately.

The doctor checks whether the patient has hypertension (high blood pressure)

What causes high blood pressure?

Blood pressure can naturally increase with age because the walls of the arteries become less elastic. However, several other risk factors can contribute to the development of hypertension:

Ethnicity (people of African American or Hispanic descent are at higher risk).
family history
diabetes or metabolic disorder
kidney disease
certain types of tumors
sleep apnea
thyroid dysfunction
overweight or obesity
use of certain medications

Some other possible causes of high blood pressure are related to lifestyle, such as:

a diet high in salt
low potassium intake
excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol
lack of exercise
lack of sleep
smoking
use of certain illegal substances, including cocaine or methamphetamine

Does CBD lower blood pressure?

CBD is a cannabinoid and one of many active substances produced by cannabis plants. Until recently, it lived in the shadow of its psychoactive cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The latest research shows that CBD has great potential in combating various diseases. So what about CBD and high blood pressure? Many people know that THC can lower blood pressure. This is why some cannabis users experience dizziness as a side effect. However, we know much less about CBD and its effects on the body. Nevertheless, it appears that both chemicals may have a similar effect by relaxing the blood vessels.

This reaction is likely caused by how cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a complex network of cell receptors (CB1 and CB2) and chemicals called endocannabinoids. When they bind to each other, they regulate a wide range of physiological processes that help maintain balance in the body.

THC and CBD can both influence this system. THC binds directly to CB1 receptors, mimicking the activity of an endocannabinoid called anandamide. Anandamide has many functions, including relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.

CBD, however, works differently. Scientists are still trying to figure out its exact mechanism, but so far it appears to work in several ways. Instead of binding directly to CB receptors, it appears to indirectly increase anandamide levels. Therefore, CBD has many of the same effects as THC, but without the psychoactive ones. It acts gently on the body rather than overstimulating it. Unfortunately, however, this compound is still very under-researched.

The doctor prescribes medical cannabis

Studies on the effect of CBD oil on blood pressure

There are several studies on the effect of CBD on blood pressure. However, their results are very contradictory. It seems that everything depends on the type, testing methods, and whether the subjects are healthy or suffer from hypertension.

For example, a 2017 study on nine healthy male volunteers had promising results. It examined the effect of a single 600 mg dose of CBD under normal and stressful conditions. The researchers found that CBD reduced resting systolic blood pressure by an average of 6 mmHg. It had no effect on diastolic pressure. However, when participants were exposed to psychological or exercise- or cold-induced stress, the effects were more pronounced. In these experiments, CBD appeared to affect both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Unfortunately, this study had several shortcomings. First, the study participants were healthy, did not have hypertension, and were young, with an average age of 23. Furthermore, the researchers only tested the effects of a single large dose of CBD. Therefore, while these results are interesting, they do not represent real life.

Some of these issues were addressed in a 2020 study that used hypertensive test subjects and administered CBD to them daily for two weeks. However, the subjects were rats, not humans. It was found that CBD did not lower blood pressure or heart rate. However, it did provide potentially beneficial antioxidant effects.

Blood pressure monitor and cannabis leaves

Different species, different tissue types, different results?

Another study from 2020 suggested that CBD may have different effects on rats and humans. Its authors claimed that while this compound interacts with CB1 receptors in rats, this may not be the case in humans. They showed that this mechanism is much more complex in humans and involves several other types of receptors. However, they tested different types of cells in each species, using pulmonary artery cells in humans and abdominal artery cells in rats.

Interestingly, an earlier study from 2015 tested CBD on the same type of human abdominal artery cells. It found that in this case, the cannabinoid actually affects CB1 receptors as well as other types. Is it possible that CBD could affect different species and tissue types differently? Further research will reveal this. It is clear that much more study is needed to fully understand the relationship between blood pressure and CBD.

Can CBD oil increase blood pressure?

Another legitimate question might be: “Can CBD increase blood pressure?” However, there is even less research on this topic. A 2017 systematic review found that CBD does not affect blood pressure or heart rate under normal conditions. However, it was found that the cannabinoid significantly reduces these values under stressful circumstances. It also looked at the long-term effects of CBD use, examining clinical studies on epilepsy, Huntington’s disease, and schizophrenia. None of these studies found any changes in blood pressure.

Only one study on intraocular pressure (IOP) found that CBD temporarily increased IOP related to blood pressure. These effects occurred after a single 40mg dose. People with already elevated IOP should therefore be cautious and consult a doctor before using CBD.

Choosing the best CBD oil for high blood pressure

When it comes to choosing an effective CBD oil, there are several considerations.

First and foremost, users should be aware that the current market is not well regulated. Products can therefore vary greatly in terms of quality. Look for a reputable brand that publishes lab test results on its website. These will state exactly how much CBD is in each item and whether it contains any contaminants.

Second, check whether the product is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate. Full-spectrum CBD oils contain a range of other cannabinoids and terpenes, including traces of THC. Since THC can help lower blood pressure, this option may be more suitable.

Finally, consider the overall quality of the product. This can depend on where the cannabis was grown, whether it is organic, the extraction process, and other details. Online reviews are a fantastic way to learn about the pros and cons of different companies’ products from previous customers.

We hope you found this article helpful. If you are interested in trying CBD oil for high blood pressure or other conditions, we recommend consulting with a medical professional.

Author: Elena Moreau

Photo: Shutterstock

“All information provided on this website, as well as information provided through this website, is for educational purposes only. None of the information contained herein is intended to be a substitute for a medical diagnosis and should not be considered medical advice or recommended treatment. This website does not endorse, condones or advocate the licit or illicit use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or the commission of any other illegal activity. For more information, please see our Disclaimer .”