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Diabetes is a condition characterised by high blood sugar or glucose levels in the human body. It can have a profound effect on one’s life and often comes with debilitating side effects. While it’s true that it can be managed effectively, anyone suffering from diabetes must take the right steps to reduce any chances of complications. Diabetes develops when the pancreas fails to produce adequate insulin, or the body has trouble responding to insulin in the right manner, also known as insulin resistance. Insufficient insulin means the body cannot manage blood sugar levels effectively. Insulin resistance, on the other hand, prevents glucose from entering cells and results in a glucose build-up in the bloodstream.&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align: left" id="the-role-of-glucose-and-insulin">The Role of Glucose and Insulin</h2>Glucose, derived primarily from carbohydrates in our food and drinks, is the body’s main source of energy. Insulin works like a key, opening the doors to our cells and allowing glucose to enter. Most cells in the human body utilise this glucose, along with amino acids and fats, for energy. Considering glucose uptake in a cell is dictated by insulin, insufficient insulin production or improper insulin utilisation leads to an accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream, triggering hyperglycemia (a term used to refer to high blood sugar levels).&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align: left" id="types-of-diabetes">Types of Diabetes</h2>There are primarily 2 types of diabetes:<ul class="list-disc mx-5"><li>Type 1 Diabetes</li><li>Type 2 DiabetesType 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in your pancreas for unknown reasons. Type 2 Diabetes is characterised by insufficient insulin production or improper responses to insulin by cells in your body. This is the most common type of diabetes and affects primarily adults, though children might be afflicted as well. Prediabetes is the condition before the onset of Type 2 Diabetes, and is characterised by higher than normal blood glucose levels, but below the threshold of disease. Gestational diabetes only develops in some cases of pregnancy and usually dissipates after birth. Someone who has suffered from gestational diabetes, however, has a higher chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life.</li></ul><img height="400" width="1200" class="" src="https://media.savikalpa.com/storage/v1/object/public/media/1749645474009_typesofdiabetesbloginfographic.jpg" alt="cmbrxqojq06mukzze49oih0ge"><h2 style="text-align: left" id="a-deeper-look-into-the-causes-of-diabetes">A Deeper Look into the Causes of Diabetes</h2>Insulin resistance is the leading cause of Type 2 Diabetes. When cells in muscles, fat and the liver stop responding to insulin properly, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of being used by cells. This means cells are starved of their energy source, causing disease.A range of factors contribute to the development of Type 2 Diabetes, including:&nbsp;<ol class="list-decimal mx-5"><li>Obesity: Higher amounts of non-esterified fatty acids, among other things, that contribute to insulin resistance are released.&nbsp;</li><li>Lack of physical activity: Exercise counteracts the effect of insulin resistance, encouraging the pancreas to produce less insulin.</li><li>Diet: Certain foods can increase blood sugar levels, in turn increasing insulin production. Over time, the body might develop a resistance to insulin.</li><li>Hormonal imbalances: Various hormonal disorders and imbalances could lead to insulin resistance, like Cushing’s syndrome.&nbsp;</li><li>Genetics: Family history of insulin resistance is strongly correlated with diabetes.</li><li>Certain medications: Some medicine consumption might result in insulin resistance as a side effect, causing cells to reject the hormone.&nbsp;</li></ol>Conversely, Type 1 Diabetes is most often caused by autoimmune diseases. This occurs when the immune system recognises crucial insulin-producing cells in the pancreas as a threat. The immune system then attacks these cells, resulting in significantly lower insulin production and higher blood glucose levels. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also affect insulin levels. The placenta produces hormones that can induce insulin resistance, potentially leading to gestational diabetes if the pancreas cannot compensate by producing sufficient insulin.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="symptoms-of-diabetes">Symptoms of Diabetes</h2>&nbsp;Diabetes has a wide range of symptoms that can interfere with day-to-day activities. Early symptoms include polydipsia, or increased thirst, and dry mouth. People may also urinate more frequently in an attempt to get rid of extra glucose from the bloodstream. Another common symptom is fatigue, resulting from an inability to use glucose efficiently. Even with regular eating habits, there is a chance of sudden weight loss and developing hazy vision. Further, diabetes-related nerve degeneration can result in tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. Cuts and sores take a long time to heal because high blood sugar inhibits the body&apos;s natural healing mechanisms. Regular yeast infections of the skin and vagina are also common, which is indicative of the weakened immune system linked to diabetes.&nbsp;Luckily, there are many ways to keep the symptoms of diabetes in check. From lifestyle modifications to herbal formulations, numerous ways exist to manage high blood sugar levels. Cannabinoid medication, like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata/products/shunyata-pain-for-neuropathic-pain">Shunyata Pain</a>, has been found to be effective in managing diabetes and endocrine dysfunction generally.<img height="400" width="1200" class="" src="https://media.savikalpa.com/storage/v1/object/public/media/1749645528074_symptomsofdiabetesbloginfographic.jpg" alt="cmbrxrubq06n3kzzel7tn2zmo">Also Read:<ul class="list-disc mx-5"><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/blog/can-cannabis-help-with-diabetes">Cannabis as a Medicine for Diabetes Management</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/blog/can-cannabis-help-type-2-diabetes">The Benefits of Cannabis for Type 2 Diabetes</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://savikalpa.com/blog/how-cannabis-affects-your-blood-pressure">Cannabis as Medication for High Blood Pressure</a></li></ul>

Diabetes is a condition characterised by high blood sugar or glucose levels in the human body. It can have a profound effect on one’s life and often comes with debilitating side effects. While it’s true that it can be managed effectively, anyone suffering from diabetes must take the right steps to reduce any chances of complications. Diabetes develops when the pancreas fails to produce adequate insulin, or the body has trouble responding to insulin in the right manner, also known as insulin resistance. Insufficient insulin means the body cannot manage blood sugar levels effectively. Insulin resistance, on the other hand, prevents glucose from entering cells and results in a glucose build-up in the bloodstream. 

Glucose, derived primarily from carbohydrates in our food and drinks, is the body’s main source of energy. Insulin works like a key, opening the doors to our cells and allowing glucose to enter. Most cells in the human body utilise this glucose, along with amino acids and fats, for energy. Considering glucose uptake in a cell is dictated by insulin, insufficient insulin production or improper insulin utilisation leads to an accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream, triggering hyperglycemia (a term used to refer to high blood sugar levels). 

A Deeper Look into the Causes of Diabetes

Insulin resistance is the leading cause of Type 2 Diabetes. When cells in muscles, fat and the liver stop responding to insulin properly, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of being used by cells. This means cells are starved of their energy source, causing disease.

A range of factors contribute to the development of Type 2 Diabetes, including: 

Conversely, Type 1 Diabetes is most often caused by autoimmune diseases. This occurs when the immune system recognises crucial insulin-producing cells in the pancreas as a threat. The immune system then attacks these cells, resulting in significantly lower insulin production and higher blood glucose levels. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also affect insulin levels. The placenta produces hormones that can induce insulin resistance, potentially leading to gestational diabetes if the pancreas cannot compensate by producing sufficient insulin.

Diabetes has a wide range of symptoms that can interfere with day-to-day activities. Early symptoms include polydipsia, or increased thirst, and dry mouth. People may also urinate more frequently in an attempt to get rid of extra glucose from the bloodstream. Another common symptom is fatigue, resulting from an inability to use glucose efficiently. Even with regular eating habits, there is a chance of sudden weight loss and developing hazy vision. Further, diabetes-related nerve degeneration can result in tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. Cuts and sores take a long time to heal because high blood sugar inhibits the body's natural healing mechanisms. Regular yeast infections of the skin and vagina are also common, which is indicative of the weakened immune system linked to diabetes. 

Luckily, there are many ways to keep the symptoms of diabetes in check. From lifestyle modifications to herbal formulations, numerous ways exist to manage high blood sugar levels. Cannabinoid medication, like 

, has been found to be effective in managing diabetes and endocrine dysfunction generally.

What is Diabetes? Symptoms, Causes and Types

Image of injection and sugar 

Despite conflicting research, there is evidence supporting cannabis' protective action against diabetes management with cannabis oil. Read on to learn about the current guidelines from medical organizations for diabetes prevention with CBD and other cannabinoids.

It is always important to discuss one’s full medical history with your healthcare provider before beginning any new form of medical treatment or procedure, including the benefits of cannabis for diabetes. This allows your doctor to screen for any potential risk factors, complications, or side effects that are commonly linked to certain conditions.

In the case of diabetes, it is currently not common for healthcare providers specializing in the potential benefits of cannabis for diabetes to screen for diabetes in the way they would commonly screen and/or caution patients regarding risk factors such as a history of schizophrenia or heart disease.

The relationship between cannabis medicine and diabetes is an area that still requires extensive research. However, there have been some clinical studies on the subject to go along with a significant level of anecdotal evidence for diabetes prevention with CBD or other cannabinoids. While some of the existing data is contradictory, clinical research has been able to identify a number of potential benefits as well as reasons for diabetic patients to take extra precautions when consuming cannabis medicine products.

Despite the lack of a robust body of research regarding cannabis and diabetes, current anecdotal and clinical evidence suggests that the benefits of cannabis for diabetes may have either a positive or neutral effect when consumed by patients with diabetes.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in how the body regulates food intake and body weight. Studies have shown that individuals who consume cannabis have lower rates of obesity than those who have never consumed cannabis, as well as lower rates of diabetes. Research has also shown an association between cannabis consumption and smaller waists circumferences, lower fasting insulin levels, and lower HOMA-IR for diabetes management with cannabis oil.

Cannabis medicine that is cannabidiol (CBD) dominant can also potentially help prevent and/or treat arterial inflammation, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and gastrointestinal pain/cramping.

In jurisdictions where patients have easy access to cannabis and hemp products for diabetes prevention with CBD or other cannabinoids, it has become common for diabetic patients (relying largely on anecdotal evidence) to self-medicate using cannabinoid medicine for:

Studies suggest that a variety of cannabinoids found in cannabis medicine, including diabetes prevention with CBD, can potentially offer differing benefits and/or treatment options for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Significantly more clinical research is still needed to properly establish any potential benefits of diabetes management with cannabis oil. However, there is enough evidence to suggest the possibility that cannabis medicine could prove to be more effective in managing diabetes than current medication commonly used for treating diabetes.

Apart from the benefits of cannabis for diabetes, studies have identified several risk factors regarding cannabis use for diabetes. However, these factors are most commonly associated with the recreational use of cannabis products impairing a patients’ ability for effective self-management of diabetes. Those consuming a high dosage of THC resulting in feelings of euphoria or being ‘high’, may also experience an impaired ability to consistently make good choices for diabetes management with cannabis oil.

This potential for impaired self-management for diabetes management with cannabis has been shown to double the likelihood of type 1 diabetes patients experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is the result of excess ketone production in the body causing one’s blood to become acidic. Individuals consuming recreational cannabis and/or a regular high dosage of THC-dominant cannabis products should discuss the risks of DKA with their healthcare provider, and increase the frequency of checking blood sugar and ketone levels.

An additional risk factor for DKA in type 1 diabetes patients is the potential for experiencing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). While CHS is a rare condition linked to daily long-term consumption of high dose cannabis products, it can cause severe bouts of vomiting resulting in dehydration and increased ketone levels, affecting diabetes management with cannabis oil. Failure to properly treat DKA can result in severe dehydration, brain swelling, and even death, emphasizing the benefits of cannabis for diabetes.

Beyond the potential impacts of impairment on self-management behaviours, research has also indicated a potential increased risk for:

Additionally, the regular consumption of cannabis in young adults, despite the benefits of cannabis for diabetes, is linked to an increased risk of prediabetes later in life, however, this is not currently linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Organizations such as Diabetes Canada have prepared some basic guidance based on the evidence available in order to assist doctors, educators, and social safety awareness advocates in their goals of better educating and cautioning those living with diabetes, including the potential for diabetes management with cannabis oil and other cannabis medicines.

For patients with type 2 diabetes who are able to maintain their target glucose levels and who currently practice healthy behaviors (eating right, checking levels/taking medications regularly), the primary concern is to ensure that when using cannabis products, patients are able to continue to practice good behaviors, taking only the benefits of cannabis for diabetes. While there is evidence that cannabis use can help in stabilizing blood sugar levels, recreational use of cannabis has been linked to diabetic patients overeating and forgetting to check their levels and/or take their medications, impacting effective diabetes management with cannabis oil or other cannabis medicines. Thus, it is prudent to caution and educate patients on maintaining healthy habits, even if they are unlikely to experience euphoria or feel ‘high’ when using a proper dosage of a cannabis medicine product.

Diabetes Canada also recommends that recreational cannabis users with type 1 diabetes should be made aware of all potential risk factors and advised to check their blood sugar and ketone levels more frequently than usual to ensure the best for diabetes prevention with CBD or other cannabinoids.

To begin your cannabis medicine journey today, book an appointment now with the 

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We pride ourselves on being one of India’s most qualified sources of fast, friendly, and professional access to ayurvedic medicine online!

Interested in learning more? Send us your questions (eclinic@savikalpa.com). It is our mission to educate patients in any way we can, and we would be delighted to hear from you.

Research regarding cannabis and Diabetes:

DISCLAIMER – All individuals accessing this site undertake full responsibility for their own assessment of the accuracy/relevance of any and all content found herein. The content found on this site is not intended to serve as a substitute for medical advice/diagnosis/treatment from a qualified and licensed health care provider. This information should also in no way be misconstrued as professional legal advice regarding legislative, regulatory or any other matters. Individuals should always seek guidance of fully qualified professionals.

Cannabis as a Medicine for Diabetes Management

Human heart model

<h2 style="text-align: left" id="why-tachycardia-awareness-matters">Why Tachycardia Awareness Matters?</h2>One of the most common unwanted side effects of cannabis, a spike in heart rate (cannabis-induced tachycardia), also happens to be one of the most troublesome and can even turn new users off from the plant.“If you don’t explain that it’s possible that you can have a little acceleration of the heart for maybe 5 or 10 minutes and that it’s nothing to worry about,” said Janosch Kratz, MD, on The Cannabis Enigma podcast, “he gets nervous and says, ‘oh God, why did I take this drug.&apos;”For a healthy individual cannabis-induced tachycardia is usually harmless, and knowing more about what cannabis is doing to your body can make you feel better about the unpleasant feeling.So what are the cardiovascular effects of cannabis and why can cannabis raise your heart rate? Is it dangerous? And what can you do about it? Let’s find out.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="how-cannabis-affects-your-heart-in-general">How cannabis affects your heart in general?</h2>Cannabis has a number of common side effects, ranging from mild ones such asCannabis has a number of common side effects, ranging from mild ones such as red eyes, dry mouth, or the munchies, to potentially more unpleasant effects such as anxiety, paranoia, short-term memory difficulties and rapid heartbeat from cannabis use.These side effects, like how cannabis affects the cardiovascular system or cannabis and elevated heart rate, are related to how it modulates what is known as the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system affects a wide range of bodily functions including hunger, pain, sleep, and energy, to name a few.The major active chemicals in cannabis — cannabinoids — are able to trigger receptors that control the endocannabinoid system, modifying the function of those receptors and the connected systems, including the cardiovascular system (rapid heartbeat from cannabis use).“The interactions of the endocannabinoid system with the autonomic nervous system seem to be the driving force behind the reported cardiovascular adverse events [from cannabis],” wrote a group of researchers who recently reviewed years of cannabis studies.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="why-cannabis-makes-your-heart-race">Why cannabis makes your heart race?</h2><img height="600x600" width="1200" class="" src="https://media.savikalpa.com/storage/v1/object/public/media/1740865313178_WhatsApp_Image_2021-09-26_at_5.44.03_PM_600x600.jpg?v=1632659099" alt="cm7qq9cqe0047ulnwjyjvs717">An increased or irregular heart rate, also known as cannabis-induced tachycardia, can be a side effect of cannabis use. In fact, smoking cannabis can lead to a 20-100% increase in heart rate for a couple hours or more after consumption, causing a rapid heartbeat from cannabis use. This is believed to be due to a widening of the blood vessels, which is also responsible for those red eyes people get after using cannabis.In higher doses cannabis can also lead to a drop in blood pressure, resulting in dizziness and lightheadedness.The main culprit for these effects of cannabis, like cannabis and elevated heart rates, is widely considered to be tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid also responsible for the high of marijuana.One of the more oft-cited, albeit dated reports states that inhaling cannabis smoke and ingesting THC reliably increases the heart rate by 20-50% over baseline, highlighting the cardiovascular effects of cannabis. A lab study carried out on rodents in 1985 further showed that THC significantly alters the levels of catecholamine — hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands and are responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response — in the bloodstream.Research has also shown that as one’s tolerance to cannabis increases, the severity of side effects often decreases. This means that side effects commonly seen with inhaled cannabis, including cannabis-induced tachycardia and reduced blood pressure, is not as common in regular users.It should be noted that almost all <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2985210/">studies</a> on the risks of cannabis use are based on people who inhaled marijuana smoke, and that with more and more people now preferring other methods and types of cannabis, these risk assessments should be updated to reflect the true cardiovascular effects of cannabis. In other words, like with some other cannabis side effects, the effect on heart rate can be partly attributed to the act of smoking itself.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="could-lower-thc-strains-affect-your-heart-rate-less">Could lower THC strains affect your heart rate less?</h2>Since THC is often cited as being responsible for the increased heart rate after cannabis use, one might logically conclude that choosing lower-THC strains — or lower doses in general — would help mitigate it. It would also follow that eating edibles high in THC could produce the same side effects.Dr. Deepak Cyril D’Souza, a professor of psychiatry at the Yale University of Medicine <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/marijuana-can-be-harmful-heart-patients-improves-some-risk-factors-n1246850">told NBC news</a> in November, 2020 that he has spent 25 years studying the effects of marijuana and THC and that “in our studies on THC, we found a very robust increase in heart rate and an effect on blood pressure that can be quite profound.”A 1988 trial found that women given very low-THC (1.8%) joints showed “statically significant increases in pulse rate,” and this increase was more pronounced and lasted longer for participants with a past history of intermittent marijuana use5. The trial did not include a control population given a lower dose of THC however.The most well-known and common strains (more correctly referred to as “chemovars”), high in THC and low in cannabidiol (CBD) and often bred for a strong high and medicinal benefits, are increasingly referred to as Type I cannabis. Type II chemovars have more of a balance between <a target="_blank" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">CBD and THC</a>, while Type III chemovars are CBD dominant with little-to-no THC.All types of cannabis can be used therapeutically, but types II and III tend to allow for better control of THC doses and are often preferred by healthcare professionals due to the reduced risk of side effects. Type III cannabis, despite containing small amounts of THC, is generally considered non-intoxicating.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="the-effect-of-cbd-on-the-heart">The Effect of CBD on the Heart</h2>It is increasingly accepted that CBD, which doesn’t cause an intoxicating effect, can counteract some of the effects of THC6. This happens because CBD can actually modify THC binding with certain receptors of the endocannabinoid system.In other words, using a strain that has less THC or more of a CBD-dominant profile, should — by virtue of containing less THC — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.labroots.com/trending/cannabis-sciences/8647/cbd-negate-thc-high">produce a less powerful high</a>, and may reduce the anxiety that can commonly accompany a THC high.As far as the effects CBD itself has on the heart, a 2017 trial found that a single dose of CBD reduced resting blood pressure and helped mitigate stress-induced blood pressure and heart-rate increases7.A 2013 comprehensive published in Frontiers in Psychology looked at CBD’s ability to offset the “adverse psychological effects of THC,” and concluded that “the few studies that exist on the effects of CBD show that this cannabinoid can counteract some of the negative effects of THC.”<h2 style="text-align: left" id="is-sativa-or-indica-worse-for-your-heart-rate">Is sativa or indica worse for your heart rate?</h2>It’s conventional wisdom in cannabis that sativa strains are upbeat and indica strains are mellow and likely to induce the “couch lock” sensation. Countless cannabis consumers use these characterizations to shape their consumption or purchasing decisionsUnfortunately, there isn’t much scientific evidence to support this notion of indica vs sativa as a method of distinguishing between the effects of different types of cannabis. While there are many factors at play in determining why a cannabis chemovar produces certain effects, calling them indica or sativa is not one.What does matter is the cannabinoid profile of the chemovar (how much THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids) and its terpene makeup. The various terpenes in cannabis not only determine its flavor and aroma, but may also have a big impact on its effects, including how energetic or sedative the high is.Also, it’s worth keeping in mind that this can be very individualistic. The right dose for one individual can be very different than the right dose for another person, and a strain that makes one person very upbeat and giggly could induce a couch-lock sensation for someone else. And while a specific strain may be very relaxing to one person, another user could experience anxiety or paranoia, but this would not indicate that this is a universally-experienced effect of the cannabis variety in question. The same could be true for increased heart rate.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="is-cannabis-dangerous-for-the-heart">Is cannabis dangerous for the heart?</h2>&nbsp;If you are a young, healthy person with no history of cardiac illness, then you probably should not be overly concerned about the cardiovascular side effects of cannabis use.A 2018 review of existing research into marijuana use and cardiovascular risk factors found that there is “insufficient” evidence about how marijuana affects cardiovascular risk factors including stroke and heart attack8. The researchers stated that the current literature on the matter is limited by “recall bias, inadequate exposure assessment, minimal marijuana exposure, and a predominance of low-risk cohorts.”That doesn’t mean that there may not be cause for concern. In fact, there is a substantial amount of data to suggest cannabis may increase the risk of cardiac diseaseResearchers in 2014 examined the reporting of cardiovascular complications related to cannabis use and found that they “indicate cannabis as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease in young adults.”9 More recently, a 2017 review discussed “harmful effects of cannabis use including fatal cardiovascular events that could be related to cannabis use,” including but not limited to increased heart rate and blood pressure and a heightened risk of acute coronary events10.Cardiac-related mortality data from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System for 1990-2014 and showed a statistically significant increase of 2.4% in the rate of cardiac death among men following the passage of medical cannabis programs, as well as 1.3% increase among women11.Other research has found that cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of cardiac dysrhythmia12, as well as non-fatal stroke, transient ischemic attack13, and acute myocardial infarction14. Importantly, cannabis users are more likely to be using tobacco products than non-cannabis users, which may contribute to these negative cardiac outcomes.In general, if you are considering using cannabis, you may want to speak to your physician about the possible side effects, especially if you have a history of cardiovascular issues.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="can-you-do-anything-about-increased-heart-rate-from-cannabis">Can you do anything about increased heart rate from cannabis?</h2>When it comes to cardiovascular health and cannabis, many of the same healthy lifestyle principles apply: Try to limit or cut out smoking as an intake method, exercise regularly, eat healthy, and try to get a full night’s sleep as often as possible.If you find that you often get anxiety or your mind (along with your heart) races when you get high, then consider trying a lower-THC variety, or one that has more of an even balance between THC and CBD. This will help keep your THC dose lower and reduce the likelihood of a racing heart and racing mind.And when those intense feelings strike, use some tried and true ways to bring your high down a little bit. First off, don’t panic. Remember that the high will wear off before too long, and this isn’t a permanent condition. Try to focus on your breathing, taking deep breaths to help you relax and bring your anxiety down. You can also try to find something funny on the TV, put on an album you love listening to, and when in doubt, raid the cupboard for snacks.You can further explore <a target="_blank" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">plant based medicine here</a>.&nbsp;Sources<ol class="list-decimal mx-5"><li>Latif, Z., &amp; Garg, N. (2020). The Impact of Marijuana on the Cardiovascular System: A Review of the Most Common Cardiovascular Events Associated with Marijuana Use. Journal of clinical medicine, 9(6), 1925. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9061925</li><li>Goyal, H., Awad, H. H., &amp; Ghali, J. K. (2017). Role of cannabis in cardiovascular disorders. Journal of thoracic disease, 9(7), 2079–2092. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2017.06.104</li><li>Jones R. T. (2002). Cardiovascular system effects of marijuana. Journal of clinical pharmacology, 42(S1), 58S–63S. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1552-4604.2002.tb06004.x</li><li>Subramaniam, V. N., Menezes, A. R., DeSchutter, A., &amp; Lavie, C. J. (2019). The Cardiovascular Effects of Marijuana: Are the Potential Adverse Effects Worth the High?. Missouri medicine, 116(2), 146–153.</li><li>Lex, B. W., Mendelson, J. H., Bavli, S., Harvey, K., &amp; Mello, N. K. (1984). Effects of acute marijuana smoking on pulse rate and mood states in women. Psychopharmacology, 84(2), 178–187. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00427443</li><li>Laprairie, R. B., Bagher, A. M., Kelly, M. E., &amp; Denovan-Wright, E. M. (2015). Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. British journal of pharmacology, 172(20), 4790–4805. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.13250</li><li>Jadoon, K. A., Tan, G. D., &amp; O’Sullivan, S. E. (2017). A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. JCI insight, 2(12), e93760. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.93760</li><li>Ravi, D., Ghasemiesfe, M., Korenstein, D., Cascino, T., &amp; Keyhani, S. (2018). Associations Between Marijuana Use and Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Annals of internal medicine, 168(3), 187–194. https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-1548</li><li>Jouanjus, E., Lapeyre-Mestre, M., Micallef, J., &amp; French Association of the Regional Abuse and Dependence Monitoring Centres (CEIP-A) Working Group on Cannabis Complications* (2014). Cannabis use: signal of increasing risk of serious cardiovascular disorders. Journal of the American Heart Association, 3(2), e000638. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.113.000638</li><li>Goyal, H., Awad, H. H., &amp; Ghali, J. K. (2017). Role of cannabis in cardiovascular disorders. Journal of thoracic disease, 9(7), 2079–2092. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2017.06.104</li><li>Latif, Z., &amp; Garg, N. (2020). The Impact of Marijuana on the Cardiovascular System: A Review of the Most Common Cardiovascular Events Associated with Marijuana Use. Journal of clinical medicine, 9(6), 1925. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9061925</li><li>Hemachandra, D., McKetin, R., Cherbuin, N., &amp; Anstey, K. J. (2016). Heavy cannabis users at elevated risk of stroke: evidence from a general population survey. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 40(3), 226–230. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12477</li><li>Hemachandra, D., McKetin, R., Cherbuin, N., &amp; Anstey, K. J. (2016). Heavy cannabis users at elevated risk of stroke: evidence from a general population survey. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 40(3), 226–230. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12477</li><li>Mittleman, M. A., Lewis, R. A., Maclure, M., Sherwood, J. B., &amp; Muller, J. E. (2001). Triggering myocardial infarction by marijuana. Circulation, 103(23), 2805–2809. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.103.23.2805</li></ol>&nbsp;This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

One of the most common unwanted side effects of cannabis, a spike in heart rate (cannabis-induced tachycardia), also happens to be one of the most troublesome and can even turn new users off from the plant.

“If you don’t explain that it’s possible that you can have a little acceleration of the heart for maybe 5 or 10 minutes and that it’s nothing to worry about,” said Janosch Kratz, MD, on The Cannabis Enigma podcast, “he gets nervous and says, ‘oh God, why did I take this drug.'”

For a healthy individual cannabis-induced tachycardia is usually harmless, and knowing more about what cannabis is doing to your body can make you feel better about the unpleasant feeling.

So what are the cardiovascular effects of cannabis and why can cannabis raise your heart rate? Is it dangerous? And what can you do about it? Let’s find out.

How cannabis affects your heart in general?

Cannabis has a number of common side effects, ranging from mild ones such as

Cannabis has a number of common side effects, ranging from mild ones such as red eyes, dry mouth, or the munchies, to potentially more unpleasant effects such as anxiety, paranoia, short-term memory difficulties and rapid heartbeat from cannabis use.

These side effects, like how cannabis affects the cardiovascular system or cannabis and elevated heart rate, are related to how it modulates what is known as the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system affects a wide range of bodily functions including hunger, pain, sleep, and energy, to name a few.

The major active chemicals in cannabis — cannabinoids — are able to trigger receptors that control the endocannabinoid system, modifying the function of those receptors and the connected systems, including the cardiovascular system (rapid heartbeat from cannabis use).

“The interactions of the endocannabinoid system with the autonomic nervous system seem to be the driving force behind the reported cardiovascular adverse events [from cannabis],” wrote a group of researchers who recently reviewed years of cannabis studies.

An increased or irregular heart rate, also known as cannabis-induced tachycardia, can be a side effect of cannabis use. In fact, smoking cannabis can lead to a 20-100% increase in heart rate for a couple hours or more after consumption, causing a rapid heartbeat from cannabis use. This is believed to be due to a widening of the blood vessels, which is also responsible for those red eyes people get after using cannabis.

In higher doses cannabis can also lead to a drop in blood pressure, resulting in dizziness and lightheadedness.

The main culprit for these effects of cannabis, like cannabis and elevated heart rates, is widely considered to be tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid also responsible for the high of marijuana.

One of the more oft-cited, albeit dated reports states that inhaling cannabis smoke and ingesting THC reliably increases the heart rate by 20-50% over baseline, highlighting the cardiovascular effects of cannabis. A lab study carried out on rodents in 1985 further showed that THC significantly alters the levels of catecholamine — hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands and are responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response — in the bloodstream.

Research has also shown that as one’s tolerance to cannabis increases, the severity of side effects often decreases. This means that side effects commonly seen with inhaled cannabis, including cannabis-induced tachycardia and reduced blood pressure, is not as common in regular users.

 on the risks of cannabis use are based on people who inhaled marijuana smoke, and that with more and more people now preferring other methods and types of cannabis, these risk assessments should be updated to reflect the true cardiovascular effects of cannabis. In other words, like with some other cannabis side effects, the effect on heart rate can be partly attributed to the act of smoking itself.

Could lower THC strains affect your heart rate less?

Since THC is often cited as being responsible for the increased heart rate after cannabis use, one might logically conclude that choosing lower-THC strains — or lower doses in general — would help mitigate it. It would also follow that eating edibles high in THC could produce the same side effects.

Dr. Deepak Cyril D’Souza, a professor of psychiatry at the Yale University of Medicine 

 in November, 2020 that he has spent 25 years studying the effects of marijuana and THC and that “in our studies on THC, we found a very robust increase in heart rate and an effect on blood pressure that can be quite profound.”

A 1988 trial found that women given very low-THC (1.8%) joints showed “statically significant increases in pulse rate,” and this increase was more pronounced and lasted longer for participants with a past history of intermittent marijuana use5. The trial did not include a control population given a lower dose of THC however.

The most well-known and common strains (more correctly referred to as “chemovars”), high in THC and low in cannabidiol (CBD) and often bred for a strong high and medicinal benefits, are increasingly referred to as Type I cannabis. Type II chemovars have more of a balance between 

, while Type III chemovars are CBD dominant with little-to-no THC.

All types of cannabis can be used therapeutically, but types II and III tend to allow for better control of THC doses and are often preferred by healthcare professionals due to the reduced risk of side effects. Type III cannabis, despite containing small amounts of THC, is generally considered non-intoxicating.

It is increasingly accepted that CBD, which doesn’t cause an intoxicating effect, can counteract some of the effects of THC6. This happens because CBD can actually modify THC binding with certain receptors of the endocannabinoid system.

In other words, using a strain that has less THC or more of a CBD-dominant profile, should — by virtue of containing less THC — 

, and may reduce the anxiety that can commonly accompany a THC high.

As far as the effects CBD itself has on the heart, a 2017 trial found that a single dose of CBD reduced resting blood pressure and helped mitigate stress-induced blood pressure and heart-rate increases7.

 looked at CBD’s ability to offset the “adverse psychological effects of THC,” and concluded that “the few studies that exist on the effects of CBD show that this cannabinoid can counteract some of the negative effects of THC.”

Is sativa or indica worse for your heart rate?

It’s conventional wisdom in cannabis that sativa strains are upbeat and indica strains are mellow and likely to induce the “couch lock” sensation. Countless cannabis consumers use these characterizations to shape their consumption or purchasing decisions

Unfortunately, there isn’t much scientific evidence to support this notion of indica vs sativa as a method of distinguishing between the effects of different types of cannabis. While there are many factors at play in determining why a cannabis chemovar produces certain effects, calling them indica or sativa is not one.

What does matter is the cannabinoid profile of the chemovar (how much THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids) and its terpene makeup. The various terpenes in cannabis not only determine its flavor and aroma, but may also have a big impact on its effects, including how energetic or sedative the high is.

Also, it’s worth keeping in mind that this can be very individualistic. The right dose for one individual can be very different than the right dose for another person, and a strain that makes one person very upbeat and giggly could induce a couch-lock sensation for someone else. And while a specific strain may be very relaxing to one person, another user could experience anxiety or paranoia, but this would not indicate that this is a universally-experienced effect of the cannabis variety in question. The same could be true for increased heart rate.

 If you are a young, healthy person with no history of cardiac illness, then you probably should not be overly concerned about the cardiovascular side effects of cannabis use.

A 2018 review of existing research into marijuana use and cardiovascular risk factors found that there is “insufficient” evidence about how marijuana affects cardiovascular risk factors including stroke and heart attack8. The researchers stated that the current literature on the matter is limited by “recall bias, inadequate exposure assessment, minimal marijuana exposure, and a predominance of low-risk cohorts.”

That doesn’t mean that there may not be cause for concern. In fact, there is a substantial amount of data to suggest cannabis may increase the risk of cardiac disease

Researchers in 2014 examined the reporting of cardiovascular complications related to cannabis use and found that they “indicate cannabis as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease in young adults.”9 More recently, a 2017 review discussed “harmful effects of cannabis use including fatal cardiovascular events that could be related to cannabis use,” including but not limited to increased heart rate and blood pressure and a heightened risk of acute coronary events10.

Cardiac-related mortality data from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System for 1990-2014 and showed a statistically significant increase of 2.4% in the rate of cardiac death among men following the passage of medical cannabis programs, as well as 1.3% increase among women11.

Other research has found that cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of cardiac dysrhythmia12, as well as non-fatal stroke, transient ischemic attack13, and acute myocardial infarction14. Importantly, cannabis users are more likely to be using tobacco products than non-cannabis users, which may contribute to these negative cardiac outcomes.

In general, if you are considering using cannabis, you may want to speak to your physician about the possible side effects, especially if you have a history of cardiovascular issues.

Can you do anything about increased heart rate from cannabis?

When it comes to cardiovascular health and cannabis, many of the same healthy lifestyle principles apply: Try to limit or cut out smoking as an intake method, exercise regularly, eat healthy, and try to get a full night’s sleep as often as possible.

If you find that you often get anxiety or your mind (along with your heart) races when you get high, then consider trying a lower-THC variety, or one that has more of an even balance between THC and CBD. This will help keep your THC dose lower and reduce the likelihood of a racing heart and racing mind.

And when those intense feelings strike, use some tried and true ways to bring your high down a little bit. First off, don’t panic. Remember that the high will wear off before too long, and this isn’t a permanent condition. Try to focus on your breathing, taking deep breaths to help you relax and bring your anxiety down. You can also try to find something funny on the TV, put on an album you love listening to, and when in doubt, raid the cupboard for snacks.

This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

How Cannabis Increases Your Heart Rate

Old man with a machine on wrist

<h2 style="text-align: left" id="is-cannabis-good-or-bad-for-hypertension">Is Cannabis Good or Bad for Hypertension?</h2>Research suggests that marijuana can impact blood pressure in humans. Some studies even indicate that cannabis use could be a helpful way to lower blood pressure and treat conditions like hypertension. We&apos;ll get into the effects of cannabis on hypertension shortly. Still, other research shows conflicting results — that it could be a risk factor for increased blood pressure, meaning managing hypertension with cannabis might not always work. While we don’t yet have enough evidence, scientists continue to study whether and how it could be effective.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="how-cannabis-impacts-blood-pressure">How cannabis impacts blood pressure?</h2>Cannabis works primarily by modulating a system in the human body known as the endocannabinoid system. This system includes chemicals naturally produced by the human body called endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, which are activated by endocannabinoids, and enzymes which clear the endocannabinoids from the body. This system is believed to be responsible for maintaining homeostasis or balance in a wide range of bodily functions, including mood, sleep, energy, hunger, and pain response. All cannabinoids are regulated by the endocannabinoid system, meaning it is pivotal for effects like THC and blood pressure regulation for example. The chemicals in cannabis, called cannabinoids, are also able to trigger these cannabinoid receptors, and thus modulate many of the functions that the endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating.Studies have revealed that the endocannabinoid system plays a key role in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11883-017-0663-0">cardiovascular activity</a>. In animal studies looking at these cardiac factors, researchers have noted that activation of this system can cause <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.14168">significant changes</a> in heart rate, blood vessel constriction, inflammation, oxidation, and blood pressure — both increasing and decreasing blood pressure in different contexts.In cardiovascular disease states we generally see an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11883-017-0663-0">upregulation of the endocannabinoid system</a>, so researchers believe that the body’s endocannabinoids play a role in the progression of cardiovascular disease.In cardiovascular disease states, we generally see an upregulation of the endocannabinoid system, so researchers believe that the body’s endocannabinoids play a role in the progression of cardiovascular disease.In particular, there are studies that show an association between an overactive endocannabinoid system and maladies like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.14168">arterial, pulmonary and portal hypertension</a>,&nbsp;showing evidence that managing hypertension with cannabis might be a viable option.&nbsp;Still, researchers aren’t sure whether these elevated endocannabinoid levels are causing these problems with heart health, or if they are being deployed by the body as a counteractive measure to balance out the problems.Still, researchers aren’t sure whether these elevated endocannabinoid levels are causing these problems with heart health, or if they are being deployed by the body as a counteractive measure to balance out the problems.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="the-evidence-cannabis-lowers-blood-pressure">The evidence cannabis lowers blood pressure</h2>Given what we know about how the endocannabinoid system and how it impacts blood pressure, it’s likely that the cannabinoids present in cannabis will also have some effects, like THC and blood pressure regulation or CBD and its effects on hypertension. Because of this, there is great interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabis for modulating blood pressure, perhaps even managing hypertension with cannabis.Anecdotally, many medical cannabis users report that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6064852/">cannabis has increased their cardiovascular health and well-being</a>. Unfortunately, the actual research on this is somewhat limited and conflicted.Some studies suggest that cannabis use can lower blood pressure and reduce risk of hypertension. For example, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18426501/">animal studies</a> on rodents&nbsp;with high blood pressure found that activating the endocannabinoid system by adding cannabinoids reduced blood pressure, while blocking cannabinoid receptors increased blood pressure.In one <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2228270/">review</a> of the literature, researchers reported that cannabis doesn’t have an immediate impact, but can lead to longer term lowering of blood pressure. In these studies, while they found increased heart rate with use, they didn’t see immediate changes in blood pressure. Still, this review found that chronic cannabis use was tied to lower blood pressure and heart rate overall.In another <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3045206/">study</a>, researchers found that cannabis withdrawal could lead to spikes in blood pressure. Researchers observed and monitored heavy cannabis users before and after a period of cannabis abstinence. While the cannabis users had normal blood pressure before going cold turkey, abruptly stopping caused some participants’ blood pressure to spike — actually hitting hypertensive ranges.Since this only impacted 31% of the participants, researchers on this study hypothesised that cannabis might be offering protection from high blood pressure and, when that protection was removed, these patients stopped benefiting from cannabis’ blood pressure lowering effects. For those with heart problems who are already using cannabis, the authors of this study suggest that stopping should only be done under doctor supervision to ensure that blood pressure levels stay in a safe range.While we might assume that these studies reflect impacts from THC, the primary cannabinoid in cannabis, it’s also important to note that cannabis contains many different compounds. It’s possible some of the research is conflicted because different types of cannabis may have different effects.For example, research looking at the cannabinoid CBD, while limited, suggests that it can both <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5470879/">lower blood pressure</a> directly and reduce stress that can cause increases in blood pressure. Some researchers even suggest CBD may be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21238581">helpful for treating hypertension</a>. Another <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18426501/">study</a> found that blocking endocannabinoid receptor activity reduced blood pressure for obese patients with hypertension. Still this research is in early phases and more needs to be investigated before we can make any firm conclusions.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="the-evidence-cannabis-raises-blood-pressure">The evidence cannabis raises blood pressure</h2>The studies above indicate that cannabis may be a helpful treatment for those suffering from high blood pressure. Still, other research suggests the opposite, with findings suggesting that cannabis can actually increase blood pressure. For example, one <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1477-7517-9-7">study</a> on six individuals found that recent cannabis use temporarily increased blood pressure within an hour of taking the medicine.A <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11883-017-0663-0">review</a> of the literature on cannabis and heart health didn’t find any links between cannabis use and hypertension, but it did find some evidence that suggested cannabis use leads to an increased risk of ischemic stroke — another condition associated with high blood pressure.Survey based studies have added to this confusing state of affairs. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28789567">One study</a> looked at the correlation between blood pressure and cannabis and reported that those who had ever used cannabis (even just once) were more than three times more likely to die from high blood pressure, indicating quite the contrary to the studies on THC and blood pressure referenced earlier. Still, this survey was limited because it did not look at dosing, frequency of use, or chemical profile, and it is unclear whether those surveyed may have used other illicit drugs, and if so, whether those were a factor.In a later survey <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5237375/">study</a>, researchers found no relationship between ongoing cannabis use and high blood pressure. They did find that recent cannabis use led to increased systolic blood pressure, but chronic cannabis use did not seem to impact blood pressure in any way. Even for those who regularly used cannabis throughout their life, there was no association with increased blood pressure.These studies on cannabis and blood pressure certainly present a confusing picture. And researchers continue to investigate to try to find a way to clarify the role these cannabinoids play.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="risk-factors-for-cannabis-and-blood-pressure">Risk factors for cannabis and blood pressure</h2>Cannabis and its effects on the cardiovascular system remain unclear, including managing hypertension with cannabis. Findings support both an increasing as well as a lowering effect on blood pressure. Randomized prospective trials are needed to answer many questions surrounding the therapeutic use of cannabis and the effects of cannabis on hypertension.Those who are already using cannabis should also exercise caution in stopping the medication, as a sudden withdrawal from cannabis use could trigger increased blood pressure in some.Because of these serious risk factors, anyone considering cannabis — particularly anyone who already has issues with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions — should be cautious and always check with their doctor before starting any cannabis regimen.Explore<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata"> plant based medicines here</a>.This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

Is Cannabis Good or Bad for Hypertension?

Research suggests that marijuana can impact blood pressure in humans. Some studies even indicate that cannabis use could be a helpful way to lower blood pressure and treat conditions like hypertension. We'll get into the effects of cannabis on hypertension shortly. Still, other research shows conflicting results — that it could be a risk factor for increased blood pressure, meaning managing hypertension with cannabis might not always work. While we don’t yet have enough evidence, scientists continue to study whether and how it could be effective.

Cannabis works primarily by modulating a system in the human body known as the endocannabinoid system. This system includes chemicals naturally produced by the human body called endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, which are activated by endocannabinoids, and enzymes which clear the endocannabinoids from the body. This system is believed to be responsible for maintaining homeostasis or balance in a wide range of bodily functions, including mood, sleep, energy, hunger, and pain response. All cannabinoids are regulated by the endocannabinoid system, meaning it is pivotal for effects like THC and blood pressure regulation for example. The chemicals in cannabis, called cannabinoids, are also able to trigger these cannabinoid receptors, and thus modulate many of the functions that the endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating.

Studies have revealed that the endocannabinoid system plays a key role in 

. In animal studies looking at these cardiac factors, researchers have noted that activation of this system can cause 

 in heart rate, blood vessel constriction, inflammation, oxidation, and blood pressure — both increasing and decreasing blood pressure in different contexts.

In cardiovascular disease states we generally see an 

upregulation of the endocannabinoid system

, so researchers believe that the body’s endocannabinoids play a role in the progression of cardiovascular disease.

In cardiovascular disease states, we generally see an upregulation of the endocannabinoid system, so researchers believe that the body’s endocannabinoids play a role in the progression of cardiovascular disease.

In particular, there are studies that show an association between an overactive endocannabinoid system and maladies like 

arterial, pulmonary and portal hypertension

, showing evidence that managing hypertension with cannabis might be a viable option. 

Still, researchers aren’t sure whether these elevated endocannabinoid levels are causing these problems with heart health, or if they are being deployed by the body as a counteractive measure to balance out the problems.

The evidence cannabis lowers blood pressure

Given what we know about how the endocannabinoid system and how it impacts blood pressure, it’s likely that the cannabinoids present in cannabis will also have some effects, like THC and blood pressure regulation or CBD and its effects on hypertension. Because of this, there is great interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabis for modulating blood pressure, perhaps even managing hypertension with cannabis.

Anecdotally, many medical cannabis users report that 

cannabis has increased their cardiovascular health and well-being

. Unfortunately, the actual research on this is somewhat limited and conflicted.

Some studies suggest that cannabis use can lower blood pressure and reduce risk of hypertension. For example, 

 on rodents with high blood pressure found that activating the endocannabinoid system by adding cannabinoids reduced blood pressure, while blocking cannabinoid receptors increased blood pressure.

 of the literature, researchers reported that cannabis doesn’t have an immediate impact, but can lead to longer term lowering of blood pressure. In these studies, while they found increased heart rate with use, they didn’t see immediate changes in blood pressure. Still, this review found that chronic cannabis use was tied to lower blood pressure and heart rate overall.

, researchers found that cannabis withdrawal could lead to spikes in blood pressure. Researchers observed and monitored heavy cannabis users before and after a period of cannabis abstinence. While the cannabis users had normal blood pressure before going cold turkey, abruptly stopping caused some participants’ blood pressure to spike — actually hitting hypertensive ranges.

Since this only impacted 31% of the participants, researchers on this study hypothesised that cannabis might be offering protection from high blood pressure and, when that protection was removed, these patients stopped benefiting from cannabis’ blood pressure lowering effects. For those with heart problems who are already using cannabis, the authors of this study suggest that stopping should only be done under doctor supervision to ensure that blood pressure levels stay in a safe range.

While we might assume that these studies reflect impacts from THC, the primary cannabinoid in cannabis, it’s also important to note that cannabis contains many different compounds. It’s possible some of the research is conflicted because different types of cannabis may have different effects.

For example, research looking at the cannabinoid CBD, while limited, suggests that it can both 

 directly and reduce stress that can cause increases in blood pressure. Some researchers even suggest CBD may be 

 found that blocking endocannabinoid receptor activity reduced blood pressure for obese patients with hypertension. Still this research is in early phases and more needs to be investigated before we can make any firm conclusions.

The evidence cannabis raises blood pressure

The studies above indicate that cannabis may be a helpful treatment for those suffering from high blood pressure. Still, other research suggests the opposite, with findings suggesting that cannabis can actually increase blood pressure. For example, one 

 on six individuals found that recent cannabis use temporarily increased blood pressure within an hour of taking the medicine.

 of the literature on cannabis and heart health didn’t find any links between cannabis use and hypertension, but it did find some evidence that suggested cannabis use leads to an increased risk of ischemic stroke — another condition associated with high blood pressure.

Survey based studies have added to this confusing state of affairs. 

 looked at the correlation between blood pressure and cannabis and reported that those who had ever used cannabis (even just once) were more than three times more likely to die from high blood pressure, indicating quite the contrary to the studies on THC and blood pressure referenced earlier. Still, this survey was limited because it did not look at dosing, frequency of use, or chemical profile, and it is unclear whether those surveyed may have used other illicit drugs, and if so, whether those were a factor.

, researchers found no relationship between ongoing cannabis use and high blood pressure. They did find that recent cannabis use led to increased systolic blood pressure, but chronic cannabis use did not seem to impact blood pressure in any way. Even for those who regularly used cannabis throughout their life, there was no association with increased blood pressure.

These studies on cannabis and blood pressure certainly present a confusing picture. And researchers continue to investigate to try to find a way to clarify the role these cannabinoids play.

Risk factors for cannabis and blood pressure

Cannabis and its effects on the cardiovascular system remain unclear, including managing hypertension with cannabis. Findings support both an increasing as well as a lowering effect on blood pressure. Randomized prospective trials are needed to answer many questions surrounding the therapeutic use of cannabis and the effects of cannabis on hypertension.

Those who are already using cannabis should also exercise caution in stopping the medication, as a sudden withdrawal from cannabis use could trigger increased blood pressure in some.

Because of these serious risk factors, anyone considering cannabis — particularly anyone who already has issues with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions — should be cautious and always check with their doctor before starting any cannabis regimen.

Cannabis as Medication for High Blood Pressure

Stock room of a hospital

<h2 style="text-align: left" id="what-we-know-about-cannabis-and-the-liver">What we Know About Cannabis &amp; the Liver</h2>There isn’t a great deal of research on the effects of cannabis on the liver. From the research that does exist, we know the relationship between the two is somewhat complicated and varies depending on condition.For most healthy individuals, cannabis use shouldn’t cause cannabis-induced liver diseases. It may even potentially play a protective role against developing alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Anyone with a severe liver condition or taking other medications should ensure they are helping and not hurting the liver.Although medicine still has many questions on cannabis and liver inflammation, here is what science can tell us.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="how-marijuana-interacts-with-the-liver">How marijuana interacts with the liver</h2>&nbsp;To understand the effects of cannabis on the liver, let’s start with an explanation of how the endocannabinoid system (ECS) affects the liver. The ECS modulates many of the human body’s most crucial functions — like sleep, energy, memory, hunger, inflammation, and mood, to name just a few — and helps keep them in homeostasis or internal balance.Common cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant — like THC and CBD — can activate the endocannabinoid system. Our body also produces its own cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) — and they also activate the ECS.Studies show that activation of certain endocannabinoid receptors <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6023500/">may worsen cirrhosis</a>,enhancing factors like fibrogenesis, fibrosis, ascites, and steatosis, giving merit to the awareness of the hepatotoxicity of cannabis.&nbsp; Activating a different endocannabinoid receptor seems to have the opposite effect. It can counteract fibrosis, steatosis, collagen deposition, and inflammation — promoting a healthy liver.Endocannabinoids have also been shown to impact cirrhosis of the liver. Some of the effects of cannabis on the liver can even act against fibrogenesis, improving liver health. So researchers are looking to further explore endocannabinoids as a potential target for the treatment of liver disease with the relationship between cannabis and liver inflammation.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="the-benefits-of-cannabis-for-liver-health">The benefits of cannabis for liver health</h2>Existing research shows that activating ECS receptors with endocannabinoids may have a big impact on the liver — either helping or harming. So how does cannabis, a plant that activates these same receptors, impact the liver?The effects of cannabis on the liver have mostly been studied in populations with liver disease — not healthy livers. That said, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2018.1482031">one small study</a> did look at the influence of chronic cannabis use on liver function in general, including cannabis and liver inflammation.In this study, researchers found no significant differences in liver function for those with higher levels of THC markers in their blood. But they did find slightly better liver function for those with higher THC-OH levels. This research was limited due to a small sample size but suggests that chronic medical marijuana use doesn’t negatively impact liver health for healthy individuals, proving well for the hepatotoxicity of cannabis.Other research looks at the effects of cannabis on the liver relative to specific conditions or symptoms. For example, researchers investigated cannabis’s effects on alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Heavy, long term alcohol use causes ALD and cannabis may serve a protective role for this disease.One very broad study found that those with the highest levels of medical marijuana use had significantly lower levels of ALD at all stages of the disease. These heavy cannabis users saw a 45% reduction in steatosis, or alcoholic fatty liver disease, a 40% reduction in steatohepatitis, or alcoholic hepatitis, a 55% reduction in alcoholic cirrhosis and fibrosis, and an impressive 75% reduction in hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver cancer, showing the relationship between cannabis and liver inflammation.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24398069">Another study</a>, which tied lower levels of ALD to CBD use, seems to suggest that cannabis use (or even just CBD) may actually be protective against the deadly long term effects of alcohol use.Cannabis may help more than just alcohol-induced liver disease. Marijuana may also protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,&nbsp;meaning cannabis-induced effects on liver diseases shows extreme potential.&nbsp;One study tied <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5648282/">cannabis use to lower levels</a> of this condition, in addition to ALD. So medical marijuana may be protective for our livers in general, not just as a protection against drinking, pointing towards the lower hepatotoxicity of cannabis. Cannabis may also play a protective role in other specific conditions, showing a positive relationship between cannabis and liver inflammation.One study found that the effects of cannabis <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278584619301393">can protect the livers</a> of patients suffering from psychosis — lowering the risk of steatosis.Animal models also show evidence that cannabis use can<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://canlivj.utpjournals.press/doi/full/10.3138/canlivj.2018-0023#"> improve symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy</a>,&nbsp;likely via the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis and liver inflammation. Unfortunately, there have been no human studies on this condition to confirm the results.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="cbd-oil-and-the-liver">CBD oil and the liver</h2>These days, many cannabis users never smoke weed or eat THC edible, instead choosing to consume CBD oil. So how can CBD oil affect the liver?<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/9/1694">In a 2019 study on mice</a>,&nbsp;a high dosage of CBD led to fatalities for some of the mice subjects. Researchers noted elevated liver enzymes and increased liver size in the mice who died and concluded they died from liver issues, suggesting the hepatotoxicity of cannabis should be taken into consideration strongly too.They concluded that “CBD has the potential to cause liver injury,” based on how the highest CBD dose given to the rodents (2460mg/kg) “exhibited clear evidence of hepatotoxicity.” They added that lower doses of (246 mg/kg and 738 mg/kg) increased liver-to-body weight ratios.Or in plain English, the researchers found that when given very high doses of CBD, the mice showed signs of liver toxicity caused by the hepatotoxicity of cannabis, while in lower doses the researchers found liver swelling. It was assumed that the mice were clearly suffering from cannabis-induced liver diseases.The researchers found that CBD doses above the 50 mg/kg minimum effective dose (MED) “were toxic when repetitively delivered,” and that the general toxicity observed included “pan-hepatic cytoplasmic swelling, increases in liver-to-body weight ratios, and elevated ALT, AST, and total bilirubin.”They also cited animal studies that have show increased liver size in monkeys “and elevated liver enzymes in dogs when CBD was administered at doses as low as 2mg/kg of body weight,” as well as recent clinical trials in which 5-20% of human patients treated with CBD exhibited elevated liver enzymes at doses of 20 mg/kg, showing a different side of the effects of cannabis on the liver.The researchers concluded that CBD “poses a risk for cannabis-induced liver diseases,” and that additional studies are needed.Other researchers, however, have pointed out some methodological problematic issues in the study.For one thing, the dose of CBD administered was extremely high — a dose 100 times higher than the maximum recommended dose for Epidiolex, the only FDA approved CBD-based medicine for humans. But more importantly, the CBD was extracted using hexane — a solvent with known neurotoxic properties. It’s unclear whether the hexane was a factor in the mice’s death or if it was the hepatotoxicity of cannabis.Beyond this, the sample size was only six mice, which is too small to have much statistical significance. Researchers on the study reported that 75% of the mice died — which would mean 4.5 mice died. Since this is an impossibility, one might ask what other errors the authors or researchers made about cannabis and liver inflammation. Confirming or discrediting these findings will require more research.Also in 2019, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-15-companies-illegally-selling-various-products-containing-cannabidiol-agency-details">the FDA issued</a> a &nbsp;revised consumer update on CBD and products containing CBD, which stated simply that “CBD can cause liver injury.”<h2 style="text-align: left" id="can-weed-be-bad-for-your-liver-risk-factors">Can weed be bad for your liver? Risk factors</h2>For liver-related conditions other than hepatic encephalopathy, the hepatotoxicity of cannabis use may have more complicated interactions. Cannabis use may worsen chronic hepatitis C virus, for example. Animal studies show the effects of cannabis <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://canlivj.utpjournals.press/doi/full/10.3138/canlivj.2018-0023#">can actually worsen liver fibrosis</a> and steatosis&nbsp;in hepatitis C. Human studies show that marijuana use can lead to suppression of anti-viral immunity in hepatitis C patients. In addition, studies on hepatitis C patients found that steatosis risk was predicted by daily cannabis smoking.On the other hand, other studies have reported positive effects for hepatitis C patients using cannabis. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/cjgh/2018/9430953/">One 2018 study</a> found hepatitis C patients who use cannabis had lower levels of cirrhosis and lower total health costs. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://doi.org/10.1097/01.meg.0000216934.22114.51">Another study</a> found hepatitis C patients who used cannabis better adhered to their antiviral treatments and had better virologic outcomes. So for patients with this condition, cannabis could be helpful or harmful.Another important area of risk management related to cannabis and liver inflammation is drug interactions. Cannabis can interact with drug metabolizing enzymes in the liver. If taken with certain medications, this can cause them to become more or less potent and efficacious. In addition, certain drugs may make cannabis more or less potent.While there has been little research on these drug interactions, we can deduce from what we know about pharmacology that certain drugs are more likely to have these interactions. For example, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, fluconazole, clarithromycin, verapamil, itraconazole, voriconazole, and ketoconazole are all more likely to increase the concentration of THC and CBD in the blood by inhibiting its elimination from the body. In the other direction, rifampin has been reported to reduce THC blood levels by 20-40% and CBD levels by 50-60%.While there is still only a limited amount of research on the effects of cannabis on the liver, there are some interesting studies showing both risks and benefits of cannabis use on the liver. For healthy individuals, cannabis should not have a significant impact on liver function, making cannabis-induced liver diseases rare. It may even serve a protective role against developing alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Still, for those with hepatitis C, or those using certain medications, cannabis use can cause complications.If you do have a liver condition, it’s advisable to work with a cannabinoid specializing physician.You can further explore from a vast set of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">plant based medicine</a> options here.&nbsp;This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

There isn’t a great deal of research on the effects of cannabis on the liver. From the research that does exist, we know the relationship between the two is somewhat complicated and varies depending on condition.

For most healthy individuals, cannabis use shouldn’t cause cannabis-induced liver diseases. It may even potentially play a protective role against developing alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Anyone with a severe liver condition or taking other medications should ensure they are helping and not hurting the liver.

Although medicine still has many questions on cannabis and liver inflammation, here is what science can tell us.

 To understand the effects of cannabis on the liver, let’s start with an explanation of how the endocannabinoid system (ECS) affects the liver. The ECS modulates many of the human body’s most crucial functions — like sleep, energy, memory, hunger, inflammation, and mood, to name just a few — and helps keep them in homeostasis or internal balance.

Common cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant — like THC and CBD — can activate the endocannabinoid system. Our body also produces its own cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) — and they also activate the ECS.

Studies show that activation of certain endocannabinoid receptors 

,enhancing factors like fibrogenesis, fibrosis, ascites, and steatosis, giving merit to the awareness of the hepatotoxicity of cannabis.  Activating a different endocannabinoid receptor seems to have the opposite effect. It can counteract fibrosis, steatosis, collagen deposition, and inflammation — promoting a healthy liver.

Endocannabinoids have also been shown to impact cirrhosis of the liver. Some of the effects of cannabis on the liver can even act against fibrogenesis, improving liver health. So researchers are looking to further explore endocannabinoids as a potential target for the treatment of liver disease with the relationship between cannabis and liver inflammation.

The benefits of cannabis for liver health

Existing research shows that activating ECS receptors with endocannabinoids may have a big impact on the liver — either helping or harming. So how does cannabis, a plant that activates these same receptors, impact the liver?

The effects of cannabis on the liver have mostly been studied in populations with liver disease — not healthy livers. That said, 

 did look at the influence of chronic cannabis use on liver function in general, including cannabis and liver inflammation.

In this study, researchers found no significant differences in liver function for those with higher levels of THC markers in their blood. But they did find slightly better liver function for those with higher THC-OH levels. This research was limited due to a small sample size but suggests that chronic medical marijuana use doesn’t negatively impact liver health for healthy individuals, proving well for the hepatotoxicity of cannabis.

Other research looks at the effects of cannabis on the liver relative to specific conditions or symptoms. For example, researchers investigated cannabis’s effects on alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Heavy, long term alcohol use causes ALD and cannabis may serve a protective role for this disease.

One very broad study found that those with the highest levels of medical marijuana use had significantly lower levels of ALD at all stages of the disease. These heavy cannabis users saw a 45% reduction in steatosis, or alcoholic fatty liver disease, a 40% reduction in steatohepatitis, or alcoholic hepatitis, a 55% reduction in alcoholic cirrhosis and fibrosis, and an impressive 75% reduction in hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver cancer, showing the relationship between cannabis and liver inflammation. 

, which tied lower levels of ALD to CBD use, seems to suggest that cannabis use (or even just CBD) may actually be protective against the deadly long term effects of alcohol use.

Cannabis may help more than just alcohol-induced liver disease. Marijuana may also protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, meaning cannabis-induced effects on liver diseases shows extreme potential. One study tied 

 of this condition, in addition to ALD. So medical marijuana may be protective for our livers in general, not just as a protection against drinking, pointing towards the lower hepatotoxicity of cannabis. Cannabis may also play a protective role in other specific conditions, showing a positive relationship between cannabis and liver inflammation.

One study found that the effects of cannabis 

 of patients suffering from psychosis — lowering the risk of steatosis.

Animal models also show evidence that cannabis use can

 improve symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy

, likely via the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis and liver inflammation. Unfortunately, there have been no human studies on this condition to confirm the results.

These days, many cannabis users never smoke weed or eat THC edible, instead choosing to consume CBD oil. So how can CBD oil affect the liver?

, a high dosage of CBD led to fatalities for some of the mice subjects. Researchers noted elevated liver enzymes and increased liver size in the mice who died and concluded they died from liver issues, suggesting the hepatotoxicity of cannabis should be taken into consideration strongly too.

They concluded that “CBD has the potential to cause liver injury,” based on how the highest CBD dose given to the rodents (2460mg/kg) “exhibited clear evidence of hepatotoxicity.” They added that lower doses of (246 mg/kg and 738 mg/kg) increased liver-to-body weight ratios.

Or in plain English, the researchers found that when given very high doses of CBD, the mice showed signs of liver toxicity caused by the hepatotoxicity of cannabis, while in lower doses the researchers found liver swelling. It was assumed that the mice were clearly suffering from cannabis-induced liver diseases.

The researchers found that CBD doses above the 50 mg/kg minimum effective dose (MED) “were toxic when repetitively delivered,” and that the general toxicity observed included “pan-hepatic cytoplasmic swelling, increases in liver-to-body weight ratios, and elevated ALT, AST, and total bilirubin.”

They also cited animal studies that have show increased liver size in monkeys “and elevated liver enzymes in dogs when CBD was administered at doses as low as 2mg/kg of body weight,” as well as recent clinical trials in which 5-20% of human patients treated with CBD exhibited elevated liver enzymes at doses of 20 mg/kg, showing a different side of the effects of cannabis on the liver.

The researchers concluded that CBD “poses a risk for cannabis-induced liver diseases,” and that additional studies are needed.

Other researchers, however, have pointed out some methodological problematic issues in the study.

For one thing, the dose of CBD administered was extremely high — a dose 100 times higher than the maximum recommended dose for Epidiolex, the only FDA approved CBD-based medicine for humans. But more importantly, the CBD was extracted using hexane — a solvent with known neurotoxic properties. It’s unclear whether the hexane was a factor in the mice’s death or if it was the hepatotoxicity of cannabis.

Beyond this, the sample size was only six mice, which is too small to have much statistical significance. Researchers on the study reported that 75% of the mice died — which would mean 4.5 mice died. Since this is an impossibility, one might ask what other errors the authors or researchers made about cannabis and liver inflammation. Confirming or discrediting these findings will require more research.

 a  revised consumer update on CBD and products containing CBD, which stated simply that “CBD can cause liver injury.”

Can weed be bad for your liver? Risk factors

For liver-related conditions other than hepatic encephalopathy, the hepatotoxicity of cannabis use may have more complicated interactions. Cannabis use may worsen chronic hepatitis C virus, for example. Animal studies show the effects of cannabis 

 and steatosis in hepatitis C. Human studies show that marijuana use can lead to suppression of anti-viral immunity in hepatitis C patients. In addition, studies on hepatitis C patients found that steatosis risk was predicted by daily cannabis smoking.

On the other hand, other studies have reported positive effects for hepatitis C patients using cannabis. 

 found hepatitis C patients who use cannabis had lower levels of cirrhosis and lower total health costs. 

 found hepatitis C patients who used cannabis better adhered to their antiviral treatments and had better virologic outcomes. So for patients with this condition, cannabis could be helpful or harmful.

Another important area of risk management related to cannabis and liver inflammation is drug interactions. Cannabis can interact with drug metabolizing enzymes in the liver. If taken with certain medications, this can cause them to become more or less potent and efficacious. In addition, certain drugs may make cannabis more or less potent.

While there has been little research on these drug interactions, we can deduce from what we know about pharmacology that certain drugs are more likely to have these interactions. For example, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, fluconazole, clarithromycin, verapamil, itraconazole, voriconazole, and ketoconazole are all more likely to increase the concentration of THC and CBD in the blood by inhibiting its elimination from the body. In the other direction, rifampin has been reported to reduce THC blood levels by 20-40% and CBD levels by 50-60%.

While there is still only a limited amount of research on the effects of cannabis on the liver, there are some interesting studies showing both risks and benefits of cannabis use on the liver. For healthy individuals, cannabis should not have a significant impact on liver function, making cannabis-induced liver diseases rare. It may even serve a protective role against developing alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Still, for those with hepatitis C, or those using certain medications, cannabis use can cause complications.

If you do have a liver condition, it’s advisable to work with a cannabinoid specializing physician.

You can further explore from a vast set of 

How Cannabis Might be the Best Medication for Fatty Liver

Doctor checking BP

<h2 style="text-align: left" id="a-study-on-cannabis-and-blood-pressure">A study on cannabis and blood pressure</h2>Using cannabis for several months is associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure among older adults with hypertension, correlating cannabinoids and blood pressure regulation, according to a prospective study published last week.The researchers took readings on 26 patients over the age of 60 both before and three months after starting to use medical cannabis as a natural remedy for high blood pressure, and found that the participants’ overall blood pressure — both systolic and diastolic — went slightly down after three months of cannabis treatment. At least as important, one in five subjects in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(21)00005-4/fulltext">study</a>, which was published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, saw significant improvements in nighttime blood pressure, proving cannabis oil has benefits for hypertension patients.“The mean differences in 24-hours systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 5.0 mmHg and 4.5 mmHg, respectively,” the researchers wrote.That reduction in blood pressure is significant, researcher Dr. Ran Abuhasira told The Cannigma. It’s not enough of a reduction that it might be considered a natural remedy for high blood pressure on its own, he explained, “but rather something to consider as physicians while we review all the medications older adults are taking after prescribing cannabis for them.”Another finding of the study investigating cannabinoids and blood pressure regulation was that the proportion of normal “dippers” — people whose blood pressure falls at night compared to during daytime hours — rose from 27.3% before treatment to 45.5% after treatment.Patients with reduced dipping or whose blood pressure rises at night are at increased risk for cardiovascular complications, Dr. Abuhasira said. “Therefore, an increased percentage of dippers is better, suggesting balanced blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular risk from the standpoint of hypertension,” noting however that those are merely assumptions and extrapolations of cannabis and cannabis oil benefits for hypertension patients.The team of six Israeli researchers set out to assess the medium-term effects of cannabis or cannabinoids and blood pressure regulation on hypertension and blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG), and metabolic parameters.Prior <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11883-017-0663-0">research</a> has shown that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating cardiovascular activity. In animal studies, researchers have noted that activating the endocannabinoid system can cause <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.14168">significant changes</a> in heart rate, blood vessel constriction, inflammation, oxidation, and blood pressure — both increasing and decreasing blood pressure in different contexts.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="no-relationship-between-thc-cbd-levels-and-blood-pressure-change">No relationship between THC, CBD levels and blood pressure change</h2>he current study did not find any evidence of a dose-dependant relationship between either CBD or THC and blood pressure. The researchers also posited that because chronic pain is associated with hypertension, the pain-relieving properties of cannabis could explain the reduction in blood pressure among most participants who seek cannabis oil benefits for hypertension patients.&nbsp;More than 75% of the participants used cannabis oil and only 15% smoked cannabis. The median daily dose of THC and CBD was 21.1mg and 21.3mg, respectively. Roughly one-third of the participants used cannabis once a day as a natural remedy for high blood pressure, another third reported using cannabis twice a day, and another third more than three times a day.The participants were given a baseline evaluation including a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), ECG, blood tests, anthropometric measurements, demographics, and medical history. Three months later, each participant was given a follow-up evaluation that looked at the same measurements.While there was a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, there were no significant changes in blood lipids, HbA1C, fasting insulin, C-reactive protein, kidney function tests, electrolytes, anthropometric measurements, or ECG parameters.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="would-it-work-for-people-not-taking-blood-pressure-meds">Would it work for people not taking blood pressure meds?</h2>The researchers also clarified that because most of the participants were already treating their hypertension, they had normal or near-normal blood pressure values, making it harden to determine the efficacy of cannabis or cannabis oil benefits for hypertension patients. “It is unknown whether this effect of cannabis on blood pressure will be the same with substantially elevated values of blood pressure,” the researchers wrote, or in other words, whether cannabinoids and blood pressure regulation would lower blood pressure to the same extent in a hypertensive patient who wasn’t already on blood pressure medication.The study was limited in other ways as well. There was no control group nor were there measurements of actual levels of THC, CBD, or other substances in the participants using cannabis as a natural remedy for high blood pressure. The sample size of the study may have been inadequate to assess cardiac arrhythmias and changes in metabolic parameters, the researchers noted. Finally, not all participants used the same types, doses, or formulations of cannabis. More research will be necessary to expand upon the findings of this study as well as cannabis or cannabis oil benefits for hypertension patients.<h2 style="text-align: left" id="contradictory-findings-from-different-studies">Contradictory findings from different studies</h2>While some studies have indicated that cannabis use could be a helpful way to lower blood pressure and treat conditions like hypertension, other research came to conflicting results — that it could be a risk factor for higher blood pressure and hypertension.A <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2228270/">2008 review</a> of existing literature found that chronic cannabis use was tied to lower blood pressure and heart rate overall.Research looking specifically at CBD, while limited, suggests that it can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5470879/">lower blood pressure</a> directly and reduce stress that can cause increases in blood pressure in the first place. Some researchers have even suggested that CBD may be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21238581">helpful for treating</a> hypertension.Other studies have come to starkly different conclusions. An alarming — if limited — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28789567/">2017 study</a> found that “marijuana use may increase the risk for hypertension mortality.”A systematic review of research <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1477-7517-9-7">from 2012</a> stated that “increased heart effort, elevated levels of catecholamine and carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, as well as the occurrence of postural hypotension are among the most commonly reported factors of cardiovascular disease associated with intoxication by cannabis.”The study published this past week also cites a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000883">scientific statement</a> put out by the American Health Association in August, 2020, which stated that “many of the concerning health implications of cannabis include cardiovascular diseases,” and that because polypharmacy is more common among older adults, there is a higher potential for drug interactions with cannabis.Explore <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://shop.savikalpa.com/collections/shunyata">a wide range of cannabis medicine </a>here.&nbsp;This article was originally published on The Cannigma, and shared here with permission.

Using cannabis for several months is associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure among older adults with hypertension, correlating cannabinoids and blood pressure regulation, according to a prospective study published last week.

The researchers took readings on 26 patients over the age of 60 both before and three months after starting to use medical cannabis as a natural remedy for high blood pressure, and found that the participants’ overall blood pressure — both systolic and diastolic — went slightly down after three months of cannabis treatment. At least as important, one in five subjects in the 

, which was published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, saw significant improvements in nighttime blood pressure, proving cannabis oil has benefits for hypertension patients.

“The mean differences in 24-hours systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 5.0 mmHg and 4.5 mmHg, respectively,” the researchers wrote.

That reduction in blood pressure is significant, researcher Dr. Ran Abuhasira told The Cannigma. It’s not enough of a reduction that it might be considered a natural remedy for high blood pressure on its own, he explained, “but rather something to consider as physicians while we review all the medications older adults are taking after prescribing cannabis for them.”

Another finding of the study investigating cannabinoids and blood pressure regulation was that the proportion of normal “dippers” — people whose blood pressure falls at night compared to during daytime hours — rose from 27.3% before treatment to 45.5% after treatment.

Patients with reduced dipping or whose blood pressure rises at night are at increased risk for cardiovascular complications, Dr. Abuhasira said. “Therefore, an increased percentage of dippers is better, suggesting balanced blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular risk from the standpoint of hypertension,” noting however that those are merely assumptions and extrapolations of cannabis and cannabis oil benefits for hypertension patients.

The team of six Israeli researchers set out to assess the medium-term effects of cannabis or cannabinoids and blood pressure regulation on hypertension and blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG), and metabolic parameters.

 has shown that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating cardiovascular activity. In animal studies, researchers have noted that activating the endocannabinoid system can cause 

No relationship between THC, CBD levels and blood pressure change

he current study did not find any evidence of a dose-dependant relationship between either CBD or THC and blood pressure. The researchers also posited that because chronic pain is associated with hypertension, the pain-relieving properties of cannabis could explain the reduction in blood pressure among most participants who seek cannabis oil benefits for hypertension patients. 

More than 75% of the participants used cannabis oil and only 15% smoked cannabis. The median daily dose of THC and CBD was 21.1mg and 21.3mg, respectively. Roughly one-third of the participants used cannabis once a day as a natural remedy for high blood pressure, another third reported using cannabis twice a day, and another third more than three times a day.

The participants were given a baseline evaluation including a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), ECG, blood tests, anthropometric measurements, demographics, and medical history. Three months later, each participant was given a follow-up evaluation that looked at the same measurements.

While there was a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, there were no significant changes in blood lipids, HbA1C, fasting insulin, C-reactive protein, kidney function tests, electrolytes, anthropometric measurements, or ECG parameters.

Would it work for people not taking blood pressure meds?

The researchers also clarified that because most of the participants were already treating their hypertension, they had normal or near-normal blood pressure values, making it harden to determine the efficacy of cannabis or cannabis oil benefits for hypertension patients. “It is unknown whether this effect of cannabis on blood pressure will be the same with substantially elevated values of blood pressure,” the researchers wrote, or in other words, whether cannabinoids and blood pressure regulation would lower blood pressure to the same extent in a hypertensive patient who wasn’t already on blood pressure medication.

The study was limited in other ways as well. There was no control group nor were there measurements of actual levels of THC, CBD, or other substances in the participants using cannabis as a natural remedy for high blood pressure. The sample size of the study may have been inadequate to assess cardiac arrhythmias and changes in metabolic parameters, the researchers noted. Finally, not all participants used the same types, doses, or formulations of cannabis. More research will be necessary to expand upon the findings of this study as well as cannabis or cannabis oil benefits for hypertension patients.

Contradictory findings from different studies