Can I consume cannabis if I suffer from high blood pressure?
You realize you suffer from it once it causes damage to the body. It can be hereditary or caused by bad habits. It is the silent pandemic. This is how some people describe high blood pressure, a condition that is one of the main causes of death in developed countries. Many times it has been related to cannabis, both positively and not so much. Have you ever wondered if you can consume cannabis with high blood pressure?
This issue has been controversial on many occasions. There are those who claim that it can treat this disease successfully, others who say the opposite. To find an answer we must look in depth at how this condition behaves, and also the way in which cannabis does it.
In this article we will go through the myths and realities behind the use of medical marijuana in the treatment of hypertension. What does science say about the disease and this potential treatment? Could marijuana be a medication of choice for this condition in the future? Let’s find out!
What is cannabis and how does it act in the body?
Cannabis, with all its variants, is a plant considered sacred by many cultures. It has been used for medicinal, spiritual and even construction purposes by various civilizations throughout history. Throughout the Asian continent it has been cultivated and used for various tasks since mankind began to write records. Ropes, paper and clothing made from cannabis fibers have been found. There are also ancient herbaria describing its medicinal properties and effects on the body.
In this entry, we are especially interested in its medicinal potential. This is due to its components, among which THC and CBD stand out. The former is well known for being the psychoactive effect of the plant. Nowadays, it is highly valued for its recreational use. However, what many do not know is that although it makes you high, it also has great healing value. CBD, or cannabidiol, has no psychoactive effects and all its properties are purely medicinal.
CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant, it has anxiolytic and de-stressing properties. THC, on the other hand, apart from its psychoactive qualities, fights insomnia, is a muscle and mental relaxant and increases appetite in those who consume it. Both substances might seem to be a good choice when it comes to treating hypertension. However, there are several things to take into account before opting for one of them.
What is blood pressure and what elements alter it?
Blood pressure, also known as arterial pressure, is the pressure with which the blood points to the walls of the blood vessels as it moves through them. It is thanks to blood pressure that it is possible for the blood to transport nutrients and oxygen to all parts of our body. This, in turn, is a consequence of the pumping work performed by the heart.
Pressure levels are altered by a variety of factors. The simple fact of lying in bed, just resting, causes our blood pressure to drop. Restlessness, whatever its cause, will have the opposite effect. It is enough to go jogging for five or ten minutes to feel our heart beating faster. Why does this happen? Because the body needs the transport of oxygen and nutrients to be faster when it is agitated than when it is at rest.
However, there can also be some dangerous alterations in blood pressure that occur without apparent cause. These conditions are known as hypotension or hypertension, the latter being the most common and risky. Hypertension is a sudden increase in blood pressure that can cause serious cardiovascular problems. It is usually caused by poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyles or excessive alcohol consumption. It is also one of the main causes of death in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Spain.
Another related condition is glaucoma, which is well known for increasing blood pressure in the eye and causing pain and chronic eye problems. This significant increase in eye pressure causes the optic nerve to eventually become damaged, necessitating treatment consisting of eye drops and, in many cases, surgery.
How does marijuana affect hypertension?
Cannabis can raise or lower blood pressure. Our body has its own endocannabinoid system (ECS) and when we consume any cannabis compound, blood pressure is involved. That’s because the SEC is involved in blood pressure regulation. Technically speaking, cannabis alters blood pressure, it can both raise and lower it, depending on the type of plant, the method of consumption and the consumer’s own metabolism.
This study concluded that endocannabinoids suppress the abrupt contractions of the heart produced by patients with hypertension. In addition, it is claimed that the endocannabinoid CB1 receptor is directly involved in vasodilation, so that stimulating it in the right way could lead to an improvement in blood pressure levels.
In another study in rats, it was found that, when THC was injected into these animals, a significant reduction in blood pressure levels was seen. This discovery encouraged a second procedure that reaffirmed the initial results. Although there are no human studies yet, the positive results revealed by the practices in other mammals are quite encouraging.
So, if I consume cannabis, will my blood pressure go up or down?
Actually, it all depends on the cannabis compound you consume. It is well known among THC users that, at the beginning, during the first week of consumption, it is common to feel a slight increase in blood pressure.
However, it should be noted that this increase, which lasts about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the person, is similar to that obtained during sexual practice. On the other hand, CBD could generate opposite effects, which would end up in the regulation of tension while the body rests, but research is still incipient in this matter.
It should be taken into account that the prolonged and excessive use of THC could cause chronic hypotension. That is why we always advise to be responsible with the use of this or any other recreational substance. With respect to CBD, there are no records of any side effects from its use.
What does high blood pressure and CBD have to do with each other?
CBD would have no major effect on raising blood pressure in the body. The changes that this cannabinoid would produce are very positive in improving blood pressure levels when the body is at rest. For this reason, it can be considered positive in the case that it is used when the patient goes to sleep or after a stressful activity, such as a day of hard work or a long day of exercise. In this case, CBD would act as a regulator of the organism, benefiting the stability of blood pressure.
Will consuming any type of cannabis affect my blood pressure?
Any type of cannabis will affect blood pressure. This should come as no surprise to you. Whether you like it or not, most of the natural products we consume affect blood pressure in some way. The key, really, is to know how much your blood pressure is affected to know if, in fact, your body is being harmed.
Depending on the level of THC, the effect on blood pressure will be greater or lesser. For low concentrations of less than 3%, the changes will not be abrupt at all, so there is little to fear and cannabis consumption can be done with relative confidence. This also includes presentations of hemp, which is a variant of cannabis that does not generate psychoactive effects due to its composition.
On the other hand, for high concentrations of more than 3% THC, the change will be much more intense. Again, it is important to know that scientific research is not abundant, but that everything seems to indicate that CBD can have a detrimental effect on stress imbalance. On the other hand, for the CBD-rich variants, or products made solely based on this component of cannabis, there is no cardiovascular risk of any kind, so that anyone can consume it with peace of mind.
Does Cannabis Oil Help High Blood Pressure?
Cannabis oil is the most common way in which CBD is consumed, and throughout this article, we have emphasized that CBD is the most beneficial thing in the cannabis world for high blood pressure. You can mix this oil into other foods, place a few drops under your tongue, or find another snack that contains CBD. The best thing to do is to consult your doctor so that he/she can recommend the right dosage for you.
If I am hypertensive, can I consume cannabis?
We recommend, in the first instance, not to consume cannabis products rich in THC if you are hypertensive. There is a lot of information you should know and it may not apply to all cases. This psychoactive component is capable of altering blood pressure levels, so, in principle, it is contraindicated, unless your doctor says otherwise. For this reason, it is important that in case you have this condition, you speak honestly to your doctor and he will tell you the possible steps to follow.
What you can do is to use CBD as a stabilizer and relaxant, especially at night before going to sleep or when you are going to take a break during the day. Remember that, according to the few studies carried out on the subject, this substance will only be effective while your body is at rest. In principle, CBD is not capable of altering your blood pressure, but it is also advisable to consume it in moderation until you know the possible reaction it will have on your own body.
Is it better to ask my doctor?
Of course it is! Always, in all circumstances, it is always advisable to ask your doctor, especially if he or she is familiar with the composition of cannabis and is not prejudiced on the matter. Blood pressure is a very delicate issue, since we are talking about the quality of blood transport in your body. If you suffer from any blood pressure-related condition, be sure to consult not only with your trusted physician, but also with a cardiovascular specialist. He or she may have the exact information about your case and can tell you how and in what way to consume cannabis in case you suffer from hypertension.
In case you just want to improve your habits to prevent cardiovascular diseases, you can buy CBD products legally in more and more places around the world. CBD has very few side effects and it seems that blood pressure is not affected by them. You can try it in moderation and see how it goes, always remembering that CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, and therefore your body will feel much more relaxed after consumption, but not stoned.
There is a direct relationship between the endocannabinoid system and blood pressure regulation. However, there are not enough studies to support the use of cannabis as a potential treatment for any of the conditions resulting from blood pressure disorders.
Cannabis is an amazing plant that can be used for a multitude of tasks, including medicinal ones. However, it is not all-powerful and there are things for which it is better to leave it aside, at least until you have enough information on the matter. If you are a hypertensive patient, the ideal in your case is to follow the traditional medication, since, if you exceed the doses, or your body does not tolerate THC correctly, it can become very dangerous. A question to your doctor will always be the best option in this regard.
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