Latest Scientific Findings: Does CBD Oil Have the Capacity to Reduce High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, which is officially called hypertension, is a common condition. According to the NHS, around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many may not realise it! Many factors can cause high blood pressure, which is when the pressure of blood in a person’s arteries is too high, with lifestyle choices such as a poor diet and lack of exercise being common culprits.
Persistent high blood pressure puts people at risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening conditions including heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and vascular dementia.
With the popularity of CBD and increasing use among the general public, plus the availability of medical cannabis in the UK for a very limited number of conditions, many wonder if the various forms of CBD products, including those such as Guardian Athletic’s hemp extract, may be beneficial in treating this condition.
Find out more about high blood pressure and the impact of CBD below.
Different Types of High Blood Pressure
In most cases, there is no clear cause for high blood pressure, and it will usually be a combination of genetics and poor lifestyle choices, as already mentioned. This is called primary or essential hypertension.
Secondary hypertension is, conversely, directly caused by another medical condition or conditions.
While most medical professionals will prescribe blood pressure medicine for these conditions, some people would prefer a more natural option and believe CBD products may be a more natural and safer method of reducing a person’s blood pressure.
The Effect of High Blood Pressure on the Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body is still not fully understood. However, experts are now realising just how important of a role it plays in a person’s overall health and well-being. The ECS is made up of several receptors that are found in virtually every part of a person’s body and impact the biochemicals that play a role in several bodily functions include pain sensations, mood, immunity, and others.
Although cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis, ECS exists in your body even if you have never used cannabis.
The job of the endocannabinoid system is to help bring balance to the other systems. For example, if the immune system responds to an infection by activating an inflammatory response, the ECS will release anti-inflammatories to help keep the inflammation from getting out of hand.
In a similar manner, the chemicals that are released by the endocannabinoid system will play a similar role in the body’s cardiovascular system. Anandamide is released by the ECS, which is a chemical produced by the body to relax the blood vessels, and that helps reduce blood pressure. Unfortunately, blood pressure may increase so much that the ECS is unable to keep up, causing hypertension.
How CBD Can Help Regulate the Endocannabinoid System for Individuals with High Blood Pressure
Researchers have been studying the role of the endocannabinoid system since the 1970s and the role it has in regulating a person’s blood pressure. Even then, it was hypothesized that the use of cannabinoid therapy may be effective at treating hypertension. Cannabinoid therapy is the process of using cannabinoids that are found in marijuana for treating various medical conditions.
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the most well-recognized of all cannabinoids because of the psychoactive side effects and its dominant presence in the plant. However, CBD, which is the other most prominent compound found in marijuana, has been gaining more and more attention because of all the health-related benefits and because it does not cause users to get high. Today, there are many cannabinoid products that are available for purchase with a high concentration of the CBD extract.
Cannabinoids that are derived from marijuana, particularly CBD, can be used with medicine to treat an array of medical conditions. They will bind to the endocannabinoid receptors in the body the same way as the naturally produced cannabinoids. This allows them to treat an array of disorders, including hypertension.
While some research has proven that CBD may initially increase blood pressure, after a short period of time blood pressure normally stabilises. After some repeated use, the initial spike in a person’s blood pressure may no longer occur. While more research is needed to understand how CBD can be used for reducing blood pressure, these findings are a positive step forward with those who suffer from hypertension.
Types of CBD for Patients Who Have High Blood Pressure
There are some medicines in the pharmaceutical world that help individuals manage their blood pressure levels. However, a doctor is going to prescribe a medication based on the type of hypertension a person has. Some of the options used include calcium channel blockers, alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, diuretics, and others. However, all these have possible side effects that can lead to other issues.
CBD, even though it is derived from the marijuana plant is a non-psychoactive substance. It is natural and safe and has few side effects that only a few people usually experience. There are several types of CBD treatments available on the market today designed for a person’s ingestion preferences. These options include topicals, edibles, tinctures, capsules, and vaporizers.
The Best CBD Options for Patients Who Have High Blood Pressure
It is essential that a person considers what method of consumption is best for them before taking any type of CBD product. Some doctors may even be able to recommend the right option, and if that is the case, a person can work with them to find the right delivery method. However, there are several things to consider before you try CBD products for high blood pressure.
Vaping and smoking are not the best options for individuals with high blood pressure because they may exacerbate their condition. Topicals are not always the most effective either, because these are designed for external problems.
If someone wants to use CBD for high blood pressure, they should consider a tincture, which is applied under the tongue or a capsule that contains CBD oil. This will ensure better absorption into the bloodstream.
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