It’s estimated that roughly one out of every three adults have high blood pressure and 90% may develop it between the ages of 55 to 65. Some people are completely unaware their blood pressure is elevated because it is mostly symptomless. Left undiagnosed or untreated, high blood pressure or hypertension can lead to a number of severe health conditions including heart failure and stroke. While exercise, eating a heart-healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and taking prescribed antihypertensive medications can be helpful, researchers are examining the effects of CBD on high blood pressure.
What is Considered Normal Blood Pressure?
For most adults, normal blood pressure is a systolic pressure less than 120 and a diastolic pressure under 80. Systolic pressure (top number) is caused by the heart contracting and pushing out blood and diastolic (bottom number) pressure occurs as the heart relaxes and fills with blood. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is lower than 90 over 60 or lower and high blood pressure is defined as 130 over 80 or higher. Many medical experts agree that a normal blood pressure for adults 70 and over is roughly 134 over 87.
Lowering High Blood Pressure
While blood pressure increases naturally with advanced age, it can be modified through life-style habits and overall health status. For instance, losing weight – especially around the waistline, limiting fats and sodium, limiting processed foods, reducing stress, not smoking, and regular exercise are generally associated with better heart health. It’s also recommended to limit alcohol, get restful sleep, and monitor blood pressure routinely. Some research shows that taking pre- and probiotics is associated with healthier blood pressure.
What Some Research Shows About CBD and Blood Pressure
First and foremost, not all research examining the impact of CBD’s ability to reduce blood pressure aligns. Yet, one new study based out of Croatia found that CBD lowered blood pressure in individuals who either had treated or untreated high blood pressure. The research team points out that there are many studies that are finding that CBD has “distinct effects on cardiovascular regulation”, meaning that it seems to affect blood vessel tone, cardiac contractility, blood pressure and vascular inflammation. How this takes place is through a complex interaction with endocannabinoid receptors and those of other systems.
Other studies report:
- CBD may reduce blood pressure and heart rate during stressful situations while increasing blood flow
- CBD reduces arterial stiffness while improving flow-mediated dilation
- CBD reduces systolic blood pressure in response to exercise stress
- CBD may reduce blood pressure by interacting with two endogenous cannabinoids: AEA and 2-AG, as well as serotonin, dopamine and adenosine
How CBD Works to Reduce Blood Pressure
CBD exerts antihypertensive effects through its interaction with the sympatho-chromaffin system, which regulates blood pressure, heart rate, energy and metabolism. Specifically, serum catestatin, a neuroendocrine peptide, is involved in blood pressure regulation and the pathophysiology of hypertension. It appears that CBD lowers serum catestatin concentrations, thereby reducing blood pressure.
Final Thoughts on CBD Reducing Blood Pressure
Hypertension or high blood pressure is common in the United States and over 62 million Americans take prescribed antihypertensive medications, which may come with several side effects including headache, nausea, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues. Although the science is not all in on whether CBD can effectively reduce blood pressure and better regulate heart rate, studies so far have produced fairly good results.
Source
Kumric, Marko et al. CBD supplementation reduces arterial blood pressure via modulation of the sympatho-chromaffin system: A study from the HYPER-H21-4 trial. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 160 (2023) 114387.