Animal trials, clinical studies, reviews of studies, and anecdotal evidence say that CBD, a non-psychoactive constituent of hemp and cannabis, can lower blood pressure. Hypertension is a condition that, as of 2021, affects 1 in every 2 Americans, some of whom are unaware if they have it. majority of the over 116 million people who have  hypertension, developed the condition because of lifestyle choices.

If you can hear your heartbeat behind your ears, your nose bleeds for no reason, or if you have vision problems. Below is what you need to know about CBD, hypertension, and hypotension.

Quick take: Can CBD cure or prevent hypertension?

• Avoid taking CBD if you are blood thinners or have low blood pressure.
• The FDA and WHO claim that CBD does not cause adverse side effects nor does it create the risk of addiction.
• Anecdotal evidence and clinical trials say that CBD can reduce and regulate blood pressure.

Does CBD Mess with your Blood Pressure?

CBD can help lower blood pressure, that is according to multiple studies and clinical trials. A few studies say that it does not work, but the chemical has antioxidant effects. What evidence should you trust?

The number of studies that have concluded that CBD can lower blood pressure outweighs the neigh-Sayers. According to ‘A systematic review and meta-analysis of the hemodynamic effect of Cannabidiol,’ quote:

“The positive effects induced by CBD include maintaining the fall in BP after global hypoxia, reducing the increase in MBP and HR post-stress, and increasing BF in ischemia-reperfusion models. It is possible that beneficial effects of CBD on haemodynamics occurs when the cardiovascular system is abnormally altered, suggesting that CBD may be used as a treatment for various cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke.”

That is a fancy way of saying that CBD can lower blood pressure. But I should mention that the findings above are based on animal studies.

The question is:

What causes hypertension, and Does CBD raise or lower your blood pressure?

For most Americans, the main cause of hypertension is -lifestyle. Are you guilty of eating unhealthy meals? Do you suffer from long bouts of stress and anxiety? Do you find it difficult to sleep?

We all do at some point.

The issue is failure to eat a balanced diet, and work or relationship-related stress and anxiety can contribute to hypertension. The same is true for persons who live a sedentary lifestyle. The mechanism through which high blood pressure develops remains unknown. However, what we do know is. The following conditions and illnesses increase the risk of developing hypertension.

• Genetics. If it “runs in the family” you are at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
• Aging. As you get older, your body changes and some changes may trigger hypertension.
• Alcoholism. Alcohol is great, but too much of it will cause a lot of problems, including hypertension.
• Stress, anxiety, depression. Long-term depression will affect every facet of your existence, including heart health.
• Excessive salt consumption.
• Smoking. Bad for your lungs and heart.
• Being overweight.
• Sleep apnea
• Chronic kidney disease
• Pregnancy.

Signs that you have high blood pressure include irregular heartbeat, blood in urine, chest pain, vision problems, fatigue, and confusion. There are other symptoms, but what is important to remember is that if your blood pressure is anywhere near or above 180/120mm HG, you should seek medical assistance immediately, especially if it is accompanied by shortness of breath, vision problems, and chest pain.

If hypertension is lifestyle-related, it may benefit you to:

• Get more exercise.
• Avoid drinking too much coffee or alcohol.
• Limit daily salt intake.

How does hypertension work?

As the name suggests, the issue is pressure related -that is-your blood pushes against vessel walls. The consequence is your heart works faster triggering the symptoms above.

Above all, the point is. Before you start thinking about curing hypertension, you should identify the cause. It could even be the medications you are on.

How safe is it to use CBD for high blood pressure?

Safety-wise, you should know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the WHO, hold the position that CBD has a good safety profile and zero risk of dependence or abuse. That means the chemical in its pure form is safe to consume, and there is no risk of addiction.

However, the FDA has not approved CBD as a medicine for hypertension. The reason for that is because of cannabis’s long-held classification as a schedule 1 substance, which limited research. But with the ongoing legalization and relaxation of cannabis laws worldwide, we expect their position to change. Why?

Because overwhelming evidence tells us that CBD can lower blood pressure, and the side effects are mild.

If you consume too much of it, the side effects you may experience include.

• Changes in weight or appetite. CBD is a mild appetite suppressant, meaning, it can help you in your weight loss journey. And speaking of that, you may find out how to use CBD to reduce weight here.
• Diarrhea. Could also be a side effect of the carrier oil used. Tip. Consuming too much coconut oil will cause diarrhea.
• Fatigue.

CBD is biphasic

Biphasic means the dose determines the experience. At low doses, the chemical has stimulant effects, and at high doses sedative effects. However, CBD will not increase blood pressure beyond tolerable limits.

What Type of CBD Should I use to Relieve High Blood Pressure

CBD is available in the form of pills, gummies, consumables, and oils. If you are prone to allergies, only take pure CBD oil -as some carrier oils may cause allergic reactions.

The best way to take CBD for hypertension is sublingual placement. Smoking or vaping is problematic in that it can cause that which you are trying to alleviate.

What to remember

• CBD oils have higher bioavailability.
• Contaminants can cause allergic reactions and future problems. So, avoid back alley products or CBD products with questionable origins.

Can CBD help reduce the cardiovascular stress response?

When stressed, your body’s natural reaction is to release adrenaline. Adrenaline is the stuff that causes your blood pressure to rise. Keeping your body under stress for extended periods may trigger chronic stress, a condition that will manifest itself as:

• Unexplained aches and pains.
•  Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Cloudy or unfocused thinking
• Increased use of drugs and alcohol.

So, if you feel that you need a coping mechanism, it could be a sign that you are experiencing chronic stress.

What you need to remember is chronic stress will trigger anxiety, and anxiety will trigger depression, and depression is the main cause of high blood pressure.

CBD can help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression

The good news is human studies show that CBD can prevent and cure stress, anxiety, and depression. According to one study published in the National Library of Medicine, quote:

“Preclinical evidence conclusively demonstrates CBD’s efficacy in reducing anxiety behaviors relevant to multiple disorders, including PTSD, GAD, PD, OCD, and SAD, with a notable lack of anxiogenic effects.”

CBD and hypotension: Does cannabidiol reduce blood pressure?

Hypotension is the opposite of hypertension, if you suffer from it, it means that your blood pressure is lower than it should be. There are four types of hypotension.

• Neurally mediated hypotension is what happens if you stand for too long. The condition mostly affects children and young adults.
• You may experience postprandial hypotension a few hours after a meal if you are older.
• Orthostatic hypotension is triggered by nervous system disorders.

The risk factor includes:

Taking CBD oil. CBD oil will not cause low blood pressure, but if you have hypotension, taking CBD may worsen the problem.

Hypotension triggers include:

• Pregnancy. The FDA cautions pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers against consuming CBD.
• Heart disease. Heart failure and heart attack can lower blood pressure.
• Dehydration. Stay hydrated.
• Blood loss or donation. Do not give more blood than you should.
• Severe infection.
• Disease, medication, or allergic reaction.

Can cannabis affect your blood pressure?

Smoking cannabis can indeed increase blood pressure and cause harmful cardiovascular effects. Consequently, if you suffer from a heart condition, you should limit or avoid smoking.

Also, if you are taking CBD for hypertension, or other illness, check the quality of the product.

We recommend only buying from trustworthy vendors.

Overall, CBD is safe for persons who have high blood pressure. But if you have an underlying condition, are on medication, especially blood thinners. It is in your best interest to consult with a physician before consuming CBD or other supplements.