Using cannabidiol (CBD) or full strength cannabis has been shown to reduce blood pressure and provide lasting benefits for hours after administration.
There are even lasting benefits throughout the day by using cannabis. Now of course depending on the method of administration the range of benefits may vary. Smoking marijuana or anything else for that matter can cause an initial constriction of the blood vessels, a brief rise in heart rate … then the blood vessels will respond to the heart rate increase and dilate again. This of course is a temporary response and the blood pressure as well as heart rate tend to drop further than prior to administration within an hour.
For anyone with known heart problems, it is highly encouraged to choose a method of administration that will promote the benefits of cannabis without the physiological response to smoking. Inhalation is a quick method to get the medicine into the system but for those with heart issues it can cause an unnecessary constriction then dilation with an elevation of the heart rate. So while the blood pressure may increase immediately following smoking, the benefits of cannabis will provide a lasting benefit of dilation and balance for the system.
Using CBD or Marijuana oil sublingually has shown to be incredibly beneficial and effective in lowering blood pressure. Research shows cannabis administration will lower blood pressure by an average of 5 mmHg systolic (top number) and 4 mmHg diastolic (bottom number). With the most profound reduction in blood pressure being 2 hours after administration during the daytime and 3 hours after administration at night. Some people showed a drop in systolic pressure over 10mmHg, which is incredible for those dealing with elevated pressures.
There are many things we can do to help support our blood vessels, heart and blood pressure.
For example, hydration is one of the main overlooked aspects of blood pressure. If you don’t have as much volume in the system the vessels constrict more often and so their ability to expand and contract will decline over time. Another major factor is nutrition and the vitamins and minerals important for blood vessel health.
The main one I’m going to talk about is Magnesium.
Calcium and magnesium have an important ratio in the body and a delicate role on the blood vessels as well as heart health. The heart muscle needs calcium to contract… so of course we want that heart beating. Excess calcium can cause the heart to throw off extra beats and even agitate the heart.
Since the body is so smart it will try to get that extra calcium away from the heart. Where does it go? Well … calcium deposits can be found in many areas and unfortunately it isn’t always going to our bones. It is often put in the blood vessels creating hardening of the vessels and atherosclerosis… this will make it even harder for blood vessels to expand and contract which will raise blood pressure.
For some of you, you know all too well where calcium can go… most kidney stones are calcium oxalate stones. Anyone that has ever experienced a kidney stone, I’m sorry, that is horribly painful. So it’s not just about hydration either when discussing kidney stones; it is nutrient and mineral balance in the body.
So if calcium is really high, magnesium lost that battle. Magnesium is very important in many physiological processes including processing cannabis through the body. The main area we look at with magnesium is the nervous system and relaxing the muscles right…so it only makes sense that if magnesium is going to help relax muscle and blood vessels while calcium is going to help the muscles contract that they would have to have an incredibly important balance.
Ideally a 4:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium will promote balance. This is highly dependent upon the foods we eat and the supplements we take.
So if you are smoking weed, not drinking enough water and not eating enough mg rich foods…you may have higher blood pressure in general, however the properties of cannabis still have the ability to help maintain and lower blood pressure.
It’s about stability, cannabis doesn’t drop your blood pressure to an unhealthy level in those without cardiovascular disease.
There are cases of patients with pacemakers or other heart issues, taking too large of a “hit” of a joint (smoking weed) and immediately having a syncopal episode. A large man face planting into a glass table is no fun for anyone around … so please know your body and your medicine, as well as choose an appropriate method of administering said medication.
If you have Cardiovascular disease, I highly encourage CBD and cannabis usage sublingually instead of smoking.
Another major aspect to consider with cannabis lowering blood pressure is the aspect that pain increases blood pressure, so if the blood pressure rise is associated with pain levels then we know for sure that cannabis can help to lower that person’s blood pressure with its known analgesic effects.
There are many natural ways to address blood pressure.
Hydration, nutrition and cannabis can all be part of that regimen. I urge anyone considering changing their regimen to speak with a knowledgeable healthcare professional. We can help, CCC and CCMP can help guide you through this process and help you obtain the right information and licensing to use cannabis.
Overall the answer is yes, cannabis can and will help to lower blood pressure and help the body maintain its normal functioning, these benefits can be lasting for hours after administration and have the best benefits showing up after 3 months of usage.
So you tried some cannabis with a friend and it helped but you haven’t gone and gotten your medical card yet … if you want those benefits to continue and allow your body to balance the endocannabinoid system, come see us, call today at 888-316-9085 and get scheduled for your medical marijuana card. We can help you: take the first step and call!
Dr. Jennifer Hawks
Naturopathic Medicine
