Marijuana is a popular recreational drug that has been used for centuries. In recent years, more research has been done to explore the potential medical benefits of marijuana use. One area of interest is the effects of marijuana use on blood pressure. In this article, we will discuss the possible link between marijuana use and lowered blood pressure, as well as the potential health benefits of using marijuana for this purpose. We will also discuss the potential risks associated with marijuana use, and why it is important to be aware of these risks before choosing to use marijuana as a way to lower blood pressure.
Is there an association between using marijuana and changes in blood pressure?
Yes, there is an association between using marijuana and changes in blood pressure. Studies have shown that marijuana use can lead to an increase in systolic blood pressure, as well as an increase in diastolic blood pressure. Additionally, marijuana use has been linked to a higher risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
What potential health benefits, if any, are associated with using CBD to manage blood pressure?
Using CBD to manage blood pressure may have potential health benefits. Studies have shown that CBD may be able to reduce inflammation and relax the blood vessels, which could lower blood pressure. In addition, CBD may help reduce anxiety and stress, both of which can also contribute to high blood pressure. More research is needed to confirm the potential health benefits of CBD for managing blood pressure.
Are there any potential risks associated with using marijuana and changes in blood pressure?
Yes, there are potential risks associated with using marijuana and changes in blood pressure. Marijuana use can cause an acute increase in blood pressure, which can pose a risk for those with existing cardiovascular problems. Additionally, long-term use of marijuana has been linked to increased risk of hypertension, which can lead to more serious health issues.
Since smoking a joint can lead to a relaxing high, you might wonder about cannabis use and its effect on blood pressure. We know that weed can make your eyes red , but does it also raise or lower blood pressure, or does it not have any effect at all? If you have high blood pressure, is marijuana safe to consume? Here well address how smoking weed, including medical marijuana, could factor into your blood pressure levels. To answer this question, we should focus on two of the primary cannabinoids present in cannabis cannabidiol CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol THC. Both may exert an influence on blood pressure levels. Healthy volunteers that took THC had an increase in heart rate and decrease in blood pressure. In studies where people used THC while lying down, they had elevated blood pressure. When they stood up, their blood pressure dropped and they experienced low blood pressure. These sudden drops in blood pressure, also known as white outs or green outs, may indeed be linked to cannabis use. Melanie Bone, a board-certified OB-GYN and cannabis specialist who practices in West Palm Beach, Florida, told Weedmaps that cannabis may cause a drop in blood pressure on standing known as postural hypotension. So, when we talk about lowering blood pressure, we do not necessarily consider that effect beneficial to health. And how does CBD affect blood pressure? The consensus is that CBD tends to relax the blood vessels and decrease anxiety, which ultimately leads to a lowering of blood pressure. This type of blood pressure reduction is more favorable, as it is associated with decreased levels of anxiety. However, based on available research, neither CBD nor THC should be considered a medical treatment for high blood pressure. Another frequently asked question about cannabis and cardiovascular health is can weed cause a heart attack? Various studies have indicated that THC may have detrimental effects on cardiovascular health, whereas CBD could be helpful to the heart. Goldstein added, CBD does not appear to have the same risks for the heart as THC and in fact, appears to be somewhat cardioprotective. Most notably, CBD could reduce inflammation, a condition that can ultimately damage the blood vessels, arteries, and vital organs. So, if you apply CBD oil to your skin or swallow a few tablespoons, the impact could differ greatly than if you smoked a blunt. To this point, there is some research that suggests smoking THC could directly or indirectly lead to a heart attack. Bone, however, argued, On careful study, many of the patients also smoked cigarettes and were obese, making it hard to draw absolute conclusions. Also, the observations were made on cannabis of unknown origin, not cannabis from a dispensary. The bottom line is that there have been studies demonstrating a questionable association between smoking weed and having a heart attack, and more research is necessary. You might also be wondering, what if youre smoking weed while taking blood pressure medication? Will there be an adverse reaction? If you are smoking THC-rich cannabis and taking medication for high blood pressure, the answer is that there could be. Goldstein explained, Smoking cannabis can be harmful for those with heart disease or hypertension since the smoke contains carbon monoxide. This gas binds to the hemoglobin in red blood cells, displacing oxygen off of the red blood cells which results in less oxygen going to the bodys tissues, including the heart. People with heart disease or high blood pressure should avoid smoking. Instead, Goldstein recommends other methods of cannabis use, such as sublingual tinctures or edibles, which she says are safe to use if someone is on blood pressure medication. Further, Bone stressed that people who use cannabis and are on blood pressure medications need to be mindful of the possibility of an interaction with other prescription medications. This means monitoring blood pressure and reporting any dizziness to your doctor, who can adjust your dosages accordingly. In line with Bones advice, researchers concluded that patient lab work should be monitored closely. While it is possible for warfarin and other medications to interact with cannabis, there are no guarantees, and the study focused on patients with epilepsy rather than on the general population. As Dr. There may be other effects of marijuana on blood pressure that health practitioners have yet to discover. All potential effects depend on the individuals existing health problems, especially co-morbid conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Can people without these conditions safely indulge in marijuana? A healthy individuals body may appear as a well-oiled machine, but Bone disputes that analogy, pointing out that, Unlike a car, where we replace the brakes or tires, the heart never gets a vacation and the blood vessels need to keep working forever. Moderation, then, may be key in integrating a cannabis regimen into your healthcare plan.
