Arterial hypertension is a pathology characterized by an increase in blood pressure that can become a very serious problem from both the physical and mental point of view, and can damage the heart, kidneys and circulatory system and in turn increase stress and psychological and emotional tension. Although hypertension is more common in older people, it also affects a quarter of the young and adult population.
Here you can discover why CBD represents a very valuable tool against the symptoms of hypertension, helping to lower blood pressure naturally and safely.
What is blood pressure?
The cardiovascular system distributes the blood supply throughout the human body. Its main organ is the heart, which pumps oxygenated blood through the arteries so that it can be distributed to all the organs and tissues and then collected by the veins, which return it to the system to be oxygenated again.
Blood pressure can be broadly defined as the force with which blood is pushed through the arteries by the heart and is divided into systolic pressure, i.e. the maximum point just after contraction, and diastolic pressure, which would be the point of minimum pressure during distension between beats.
Normal blood pressure values
Blood pressure is therefore measured with two parameters: the high or systolic pressure whose value in a normal state is less than 120 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) and the low or diastolic pressure, whose normal value is less than 80 mm Hg.
These values can be altered sporadically without being a problem, but if they are maintained regularly they can represent a danger to the health of the person, as in the case of hypertension and hypotension.
It should be noted that blood pressure increases when the blood vessels contract causing vasoconstriction, while it decreases when they widen causing vasodilation; these mechanisms can be facilitated by different external and internal factors, such as temperature, the use of certain substances, the consumption of certain foods, lack of physical exercise and different psychological factors, for example anxiety and stress.
Endocannabinoid system and hypertension
Receptors of the endocannabinoid system are present in the cardiovascular system, modulating different functions that regulate blood vessel dilation and smooth muscle tone, mainly through CB1 receptors, TRPV and PPARs.
They are also present in the musculature of the heart, helping to regulate the heart rhythm, and therefore may play a key role in reducing the symptoms of high blood pressure.
How can CBD affect hypertension?
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system present in the cardiovascular system favoring the dilation of blood vessels and the relaxation of smooth muscles, thus facilitating a decrease in blood pressure. This hypotensive effect favors physical and mental relaxation, being of great help against symptoms of anxiety and stress, factors that facilitate the onset of hypertension.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder occurs when a person feels intensely and persistently worried about the vast majority of everyday events, experiencing a constant feeling of fear, stress and nervousness. Anxiety favors an increase in blood pressure, so people who suffer from it are more predisposed to develop hypertension. In this aspect, CBD could be very useful thanks to its anxiolytic, relaxing and hypotensive effect, in addition to improving stress management.
Phobias
Phobias occur when an anxious reaction is triggered by specific stimuli that cause extreme fear or dread, can be caused by a traumatic event and cause both psychological and physical symptoms, including increased blood pressure and heart rate. CBD could be helpful for anxiety symptoms due to its hypotensive and anxiolytic effect, as well as representing a tool to work on a psychological level the possible presence of a trauma.
What are the cardiovascular effects of CBD?
CBD is able to modulate the functioning of the cardiovascular system in different ways:
- facilitates a vasodilator effect, with consequent reduction of blood pressure.
- facilitates the elasticity of the arterial walls, representing a protection against atherosclerosis, a situation in which the arterial walls become harder and less efficient; this process can occur especially when high blood sugar levels are present.
- has a cardioprotective effect, optimizing the oxygenation of the heart and helping against arrhythmia problems, being also a risk prevention factor for cerebral or cardiac ischemia and a great help against its consequences.
- has an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, to counteract the wear and tear on the cardiovascular system that occurs with the passage of time
Scientific studies on CBD for hypertension control
There are live studies that show how CBD facilitates a vasodilator effect on the arteries, thus helping to reduce arterial hypertension. The same effects have been verified in studies with both healthy people and those affected by hypertension, with observable benefits from the first doses and a significant reduction in blood pressure.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, CBD can also help prevent possible vascular accidents and limit their consequences in case of cerebral or cardiac ischemia.
In addition, CBD is able to act on some of the factors that facilitate high blood pressure, such as stress, phobias and anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lowers blood pressure naturally?
Blood pressure is reduced through dilation of the blood vessels, which can be facilitated by breathing and relaxation techniques, through food and substances that facilitate a vasodilator effect, as is the case of CBD.
Bibliography and Digital Sources
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- Wertlake, P. (2016). A urinary test procedure for identification of cannabidiol in patients undergoing medical therapy with marijuana. Journal of Pain Research. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S96856.
- Consroe, P., Kennedy, K., & Schram, K. (1991). Assay of plasma cannabidiol by capillary gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectroscopy following high-dose repeated daily oral administration in humans. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1666917/
- https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/highbloodpressure.html
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/pulse-pressure/faq-20058189
- Pertwee RG. Pharmacological actions of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids 2005. p. 1- 51.
- Stanley, C.P., Hind, W.H. and O’Sullivan, S.E. (2013), Is the cardiovascular system a therapeutic target for cannabidiol?. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 75: 313-322.
- Ohlsson, A., Lindgren, J. E., Andersson, S., Agurell, S., Gillespie, H., & Hollister, L. E. (1986). Single-dose kinetics of deuterium-labelled cannabidiol in man after smoking and intravenous administration. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2937482/
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