When marijuana was first gaining major publicity for its medical benefits, one of the first public proponents was baseball Hall-of-Famer Kirby Puckett, who used it to treat his glaucoma. From there, it was only a matter of time before medical research proved that CBD reduces blood pressure.

In glaucoma, the pressure of fluid within the eyeball increases, putting pressure on the optic nerve. Eventually, the pressure becomes so great that the optic nerve is pinched off and the patient loses his or her sight.

Cannabinoids and Blood Pressure

Until recently, evidence has been (more or less) inconclusive, with findings going both ways. These studies, however, had been investigating cannabis flower with no control for strain, cannabinoid profile, or route of ingestion.

Different cannabinoids have different effects and attenuate the endocannabinoid system in different directions. It’s well known, for example, that THC and CBD have inverse effects to a degree.

Finally, one recent study, which specifically investigated whether CBD reduces blood pressure in human trials, put a rest to the controversy: “Our data show that a single dose of CBD reduces resting blood pressure and the blood pressure response to stress.”

Cannabis and Cardiovascular Disease

These findings build upon previous research that shows CBD is a vasodilator, which means it makes your arteries and blood vessels wider, allowing for greater blood flow with less pressure. There is a growing body of medical research showing that CBD’s neuroprotective effects are beneficial with cardiovascular diseases, especially in recovery from stroke and heart attack.

This study sheds light on one of the stickier areas within medical cannabis research: its effect on the cardiovascular system. Most investigations looking at long-term cannabis smokers find cardiovascular damage and attribute it to cannabis. Because this study utilized ingested CBD, they were able to separate the effects of smoking and the effects of the cannabinoid.

The negative effects, it turned out, were due more to the smoking than the cannabis itself.

How CBD Reduces Blood Pressure

Now, this is still a long way away from CBD being an effective treatment for cardiovascular diseases like hypertension. Serious conditions have many factors at play—lifestyle, diet, genetic, life circumstances, etc.—and taking some CBD oil isn’t necessarily going to make it all better. There are no magic pills to fix these things, despite what your friendly neighborhood pharmaceutical company would like you to believe.

While it may not be a cure for hypertension, cannabis does provide a natural, safe remedy for people to help manage their stress and blood pressure.

According to the abstract from the, “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Cannabidiol (CBD) is a nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid used in multiple sclerosis and intractable epilepsies. Preclinical studies show CBD has numerous cardiovascular benefits, including a reduced blood pressure (BP) response to stress. The aim of this study was to investigate if CBD reduces BP in humans.

Nine healthy male volunteers were given 600 mg of CBD or placebo in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study. Cardiovascular parameters were monitored using a finometer and laser Doppler. The results varied but participants had a decrease of about 6 mm HG.

“Our data show that a single dose of CBD reduces resting blood pressure and the blood pressure response to stress, particularly cold stress, and especially in the post-test periods. This may reflect the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of CBD, as well as any potential direct cardiovascular effects. … Further research is also required to establish whether CBD has any role in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as a hypertension.”

Now Epidemiological studies have shown a positive relationship between long-term stress and the development of cardiovascular disease. Factors like social isolation, low socioeconomic status, depression, stressful family and work life, and anxiety are associated with an increased risk of the development and accelerated progression of existing cardiovascular disease. Current European guidelines on the prevention of cardiovascular disease have emphasized the importance of tackling these factors. Mental stress induces myocardial ischaemia in patients with stable coronary artery disease, and this appears to be mediated by adrenal release of catecholamines.

But what exactly is CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most prevalent chemical compounds in the cannabis plant. Unlike the more famous molecule, tetra-hydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is completely nonpsychoactive. Don’t expect to get “high” off of this organic chemical, however. CBD is all relaxation without intoxication.

While CBD still has an effect on your body, consuming CBD by itself isn’t going to send you on the cerebral adventure associated with THC. For decades, medical professionals and the general public overlooked CBD because psychoactive cannabis took center stage.

Now, the medical potential of CBD has taken cannabis to mainstream audiences. Preclinical trials over the past four decades have found that the cannabinoid shows promise as an anti-hypertensive.

CBD has been studied for these Conditions:

• Cigarette smoking addiction
• Acne
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Crohn’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Insomnia

One of the few side effects of CBD is tiredness, but for many, it’s what they seek out in the natural herb. Since pharmaceuticals for aiding sleep pose risk for addiction and leave you feeling groggy the next day, it’s best to go the safe route with non-habit forming CBD. When searching for strains to combat insomnia, try staying with Indica and CBD-heavy strains to knock you out when you need it most.

Side Effects: 

CBD decreased the activity of T and B cells which may increase the disease progression, tumor growth and metastases, and exacerbate asthma.

CBD can decrease the activity of liver enzymes called cytochrome P450, responsible for metabolizing more than 60% of prescribed drugs. CBD may also cause mild hypotension, dry mouth, lightheadedness, and sedation.

The other thing I want you to be mindful of, again, that it can decrease the metabolizing of medications you are currently taking. If you live in a state where it is legal. Please consult with your healthcare practitioner before using this medicine. Now I know what you must be thinking, “I have got to try this!” Yes and I understand why. In many places CBD is still classified as a “Class 1” drug and is considered illegal. Even in places where it is legal, getting a pure CBD medication can be difficult. Places that had advertised CBD, when it was tested had almost no CBD in the oil, but by trusting the vetted companies you know your CBD is great quality.

Originally found here

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FDA AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT OR CURE ANY DISEASE. ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN B EFORE STARTING A NEW DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM