4

Can CBD Oil Help Against High Blood Pressure?

21 July 2021

High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that affects many people. But could CBD Oil help control blood pressure in a natural way? Your heart pumps blood throughout your body, allowing oxygen and crucial nutrients to reach your cells. Blood pressure is measured in arteries. Maintaining the right blood pressure is important for your health: you don’t want it to get too high or too low. High blood pressure can be particularly hazardous. If you have this condition, you risk damaging your vascular system, your heart, and other vital organs. High blood pressure is usually treated with medication. Research now suggests, however, that CBD Oil may be an effective means to lower high blood pressure, too.

The Signs Of High Blood Pressure

All day long, your heart beats its regular rhythm of about 60 beats per minute. It circulates your blood (at about 7,000 litres a day), which helps to keep pressure in the vascular system at a constant level. Blood pressure should normally be around 120/80 (systolic/ diastolic pressure). Blood pressure can vary depending on body movement, age, diet, and other factors.

In case of high blood pressure, also called hypertension, the pressure in the blood vessels is too high. Unfortunately, this condition of high blood pressure often causes damage to the body before it is detected by the physical symptoms it causes. That explains why people often call high blood pressure a hidden killer.

We can distinguish two types of high blood pressure:

Primary Hypertension

This is the most common type of hypertension; 90 to 95% of all high blood pressure patients are diagnosed with primary hypertension. This kind of high blood pressure often runs in the family, and although its exact causes are still obscure, genetic disposition is likely to be part of the problem. Generally speaking, other causes for this condition are very difficult to pinpoint.

Secondary Hypertension

Whenever an underlying cause of high blood pressure can be identified, we call the condition secondary hypertension. Such causes can either be medical conditions, or other factors such as alcohol and substance abuse.

Some of the potential causes of secondary hypertension include:

• Thyroid issues;
• Apnoea;
• Kidney disease;
• Adrenal problems;
• Alcohol abuse;
• Renal artery abnormalities;
• Substance abuse or medication side-effects (notably painkillers).

As mentioned, most people do not notice the signs of high blood pressure at first. That is problematic, as it allows high blood pressure to inflict serious health damage before it is detected. Hypertension symptoms include headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, blurred vision, and fatigue. A sense of restlessness is also a common sign.

Some of the more serious health issues caused by high blood pressure are:

• Cardiac arrest;
• Stroke;
• Chronic heart failure;
• Kidney disease.

Treatments For High Blood Pressure

Good options for treating high blood pressure are available, as long as the condition is diagnosed early enough. The usual approach involves drugs called beta blockers. These are intended to relieve some of the heart’s workload, by lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Other commonly used types of medication include drugs that dilate the blood vessels, or conversely, medication that block vasoconstrictive agents.

Many different types of medication are available. Of course, it is good to know that these drugs can be effective. These high blood pressure treatment options usually come with considerable side-effects, however. These include gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, dizzy spells, and more; plenty of reason for many people to consider alternative options. On top of that, many people prefer natural remedies these days; preferably the ones that can prevent high blood pressure in addition to merely reducing hypertension symptoms. Prevention using natural supplements has many benefits over post-symptom treatment with synthetic drugs. That explains why CBD Oil is becoming increasingly popular as an option for controlling high blood pressure.

The Influence Of CBD Oil On High Blood Pressure

The human body is a complex, dynamic whole. It is governed by an interplay of many different processes that need to run smoothly, and must remain mutually attuned to each other. The human endocannabinoid system (ECS) performs a regulatory function, making sure that the whole body remains in a state of balance. Its sphere of influence covers the immune system, our memory, blood pressure, and much more besides. Crucially, the ECS uses cannabinoids such as CBD to retain a state of homeostasis (internal equilibrium). So can CBD Oil help return balance to a (too) high blood pressure level? Several studies do seem to indicate that it can.

Scientific Research Into CBD Oil And High Blood Pressure

But what exactly is the influence of CBD Oil on high blood pressure? This question was studied by Dr. Khalid Jadoon, by administering either 600mg of CBD (cannabidiol) or a placebo to a selected group of nine healthy male volunteers. It turned out that CBD managed to lower systolic  blood pressure by -6mm HG. Interestingly, however, a slight increase in heart rate was observed at the same time, by 10 bpm in total. Nonetheless, CBD turned out to decrease blood pressure in resting state as well as stress-elevated blood pressure levels.

A more recent study conducted in 2020 demonstrated that CBD is capable of widening blood vessels, allowing the blood to circulate more freely. This can be an important factor in reducing or even preventing symptoms of high blood pressure.

 

CBD can contribute to healthy rather than high blood pressure in other ways, though. Indirect factors such as anxiety, stress, lack of sleep, and chronic fatigue can also contribute to high blood pressure. CBD has soothing properties that can help us calm down and make it easier to relax. In other words, being less affected by anxiety, stress, and tensions, and improving our quality of sleep can have a positive effect on overall blood pressure levels.

Using CBD Oil For High Blood Pressure

We have a growing body of evidence supporting the hypothesis that CBD may have positive effects on hypertension. If you are interested in trying CBD Oil for lowering your own high blood pressure, make sure to do so under the guidance of your own doctor. It is always advisable as well as helpful to discuss your personal health and CBD with your trusted physician. CBD has very few side-effects, but it can influence the effectiveness of certain types of medication. That is why you should always make sure you are professionally informed on whether this cannabinoid is safe for use in your personal situation.

In our web store, you will find our complete range of high quality CBD supplements. Besides our Full Spectrum CBD Oil and CBG Oil, you can choose CBD Tablets or delicious CBD Gummies. You may also want to try our CBD skincare range including CBD Argan Cream or CBD Salve with added vitamins, to experience what cannabidiol can do for healthy, vibrant skin and much more besides!