With the rising use of cannabidiol, many people are exploring it as a remedy for many health conditions, from anxiety disorders and depression to inflammatory infections and pain. The medical sector has even embraced the potential benefits of cannabis in managing chronic illnesses such as arthritis, cancer, and chronic pain.
Today, research shows that CBD oil also helps in lowering blood pressure. People can use CBD oil as an alternative to their medications with the right direction from the physician. But is CBD more effective than traditional pharmaceutical treatments? Let us explore the interactions of CBD oil on high blood pressure and if it is an effective treatment plan than prescription medications.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Before we delve into CBD use nuances, it is imperative to understand the meaning of high blood pressure problems. This health condition affects the arteries; it is also known as hypertension and is among the leading causes of premature death across the globe. It is normal when your blood pressure rises and falls during the day when you are up and about. But if the levels remain consistently high, you should start taking action.
Hypertension is usually categorized under two types:
- Primary. This kind of hypertension is quite common among many people since it is subtle and gradual. It might be due to genes, excess weight, or other physical body changes.
- Secondary. This type of hypertension is fatal and develops quickly. It could result from underlying conditions like kidney failure, heart disease, alcohol consumption, or strong medications.
As a rule, high blood pressure is a chronic condition that doesn’t show symptoms immediately until it is too late. Some of the common symptoms that patients report are nosebleeds, headaches, chest pain, dizziness, difficulties in breathing, blurry vision, or blood-stained urine. People experiencing these symptoms should consult a medical expert immediately.
Definition of CBD
CBD is the short form of cannabidiol, a major compound in the cannabis plant. It is extracted from the hemp variant of cannabis and comes with anti-inflammatory, soothing, and analgesic properties. After researchers validated its therapeutic effects, CBD has become widely applied in treating numerous illnesses. Unlike the THC compound, it doesn’t produce the intoxicating effect that makes people high.
CBD is widely known for managing stress, anxiety, depression, seizures, and other pain-related conditions. People with chronic insomnia also use CBD-infused products to improve their sleep patterns.
CBD Typology
Before buying or using any CBD product, you must understand the spectrum formulas. This will assist you in identifying the right one that aligns with your CBD needs. Here are three types of CBD with different chemical compositions:
- Full-spectrum. It contains all the cannabinoid compounds derived from the cannabis plant, including terpenes and THC (not more the 0.3%).
- Broad-spectrum. It has all the cannabinoids apart from the THC element.
- CBD isolate. These products are made from pure CBD without all other cannabinoids.
Some CBD products include oils, tinctures, edibles, capsules, topicals, and vape juices.
CBD Oil and Blood Pressure
If you’re wondering, “Does CBD oil lower blood pressure?” https://askgrowers.com/blog/how-does-cbd-oil-affect-blood-pressure will be a good starting point to clarify this issue. Many people don’t know that CBD is also an effective solution to lower blood pressure and alleviate other health conditions.
There is evidence that CBD can be an alternative medicine that can help lower blood pressure. In 2017, researchers conducted a study on nine healthy males and discovered that one CBD dose reduced the blood pressure of those who were stressed and those who were relaxed. Another study in mice showed that CBD reduces blood pressure and heart rate after inducing stress, and the antioxidant effects were present.
Therefore, there is an increasing body of research confirming that CBD oil has potential benefits for people with heart disorders. It indeed lowers the blood pressure of patients experiencing stress or depressive episodes. However, more research should be conducted to comprehend its contributions and side effects fully.
So, what makes CBD unique? It can influence factors that trigger high blood pressure, like anxiety, stress, and chronic insomnia. In addition, traditional medications usually have adverse side effects like headaches, vomiting, or dizziness. In contrast, CBD-infused products are gentle and have mild to minimal side effects. Besides, its legalization in many states is a plus in the medical sector since it creates more room for research and analysis of CBD’s effects on hypertension.
How CBD Oil Works to Lower Blood Pressure
CBD oil has analgesic effects that alleviate symptoms causing high blood pressure. Unlike the regular medications given to patients, CBD has potent effects that reduce stress and anxiety.
Worrying situations often raise one’s high blood pressure, and the cortisol hormone is released when a person is stressed. Blood pressure also rises when cortisol is consistently high in the human organism.
Apart from lowering cortisol levels, CBD oil also exhibits other therapeutic properties. Let us explore other ways that CBD oil comes in handy to alleviate your hypertension and other conditions.
Alleviating Anxiety
Many research journals and medical articles recognize that anxiety is a leading cause of hypertension and increased heart rate. If you don’t manage your anxiety effectively and sustain it over a prolonged period, you may be at risk of suffering from heart disorders. Fortunately, recommended doses of CBD can help reduce anxiety levels and lower the risks of cardiovascular illnesses.
Inflammatory Effects
CBD oil has healing properties that help reduce inflammation within the body system. People with underlying conditions can use CBD products as directed by their physician, and the blood will flow freely in the vascular system without irregularities. So, CBD is a medicinal compound that manages any swelling inside the body.
Healthy Sleep
Chronic insomnia affects many people, especially in the fast-paced modern world. If you lack sleep for several nights, you might trigger hypertension due to stress and anxiety. But if you incorporate a daily dose of CBD into your daily routine, you will enjoy quality sleep for long hours, directly influencing your general wellness. Keep in mind that better sleep means your blood pressure will remain at normal levels.
Antioxidant Effects
Another reason why the medical sector advocates for CBD use is its antioxidant effects that release calming sensations in the users. Thus, products infused with this oil are great for the vascular system. Users enjoy potent bodily and cerebral relaxation that balances their physical and mental state, which regulates their blood pressure.
Weight Loss
According to research, CBD also plays a great role in weight loss. It alters your snacking habits and pushes you to attain your desired weight without breaking your back. You can read some of the CBD weight loss success stories and weigh the scientific evidence of CBD’s value for healthy weight regulation. Remember, excessive weight is a trigger to hypertension. Once you lose weight, your blood pressure automatically goes down to the recommended levels.
Conclusion
Cannabis legalization has helped the medical sector advance research on CBD oil. Many physicians already use it to manage chronic conditions and report positive feedback. With mounting evidence that CBD products alleviate stress and anxiety disorders, it is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment for lowering blood pressure.
However, it is vital to consult a medical expert before adding CBD to your treatment plan. Your physician should guide you on the right dose and frequency to avoid adverse effects. In addition, ensure you go for frequent checkups to understand whether your hypertension is within manageable limits or at a severe stage.
Remember that hypertension is a subtle killer, and you must alter your lifestyle while using the right medications. So, you can include CBD as part of your daily regimen since it is an effective alternative to regular medications without forgetting about additional blood pressure control measures.
Tia Moskalenko prepared this article to educate readers about the potential benefits of cannabis for various medical conditions, including hypertension management. Tia is a full-time author at AskGrowers with a passion for research and cannabis industry advocacy. So, she shares her findings and product picks to make people’s lives easier and more enjoyable with cannabis.