STUDY FINDS CBD REDUCES BLOOD PRESSURE
A new study has found that CBD effectively reduces systolic blood pressure, suggesting it could be beneficial in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
A new study published in JCI Insight has found that cannabidiol (CBD)reduces systolic pressure. The findings suggest that CBD could potentially play a therapeutic role in the treatment of certain cardiovascular disorders. CBD is a natural, non-psychoactive compound derived from the seeds and stalks of cannabis.
In the study, investigators from the University of Nottingham compared the cardiovascular effects of a single oral dose of 600 mg CBD to a placebo on nine healthy male adults with an average age of 24 years. The researchers monitored each subject’s cardiovascular parameters, including blood pressure, heart rate, stroke volume, and skin blood blow, while they were at rest. The cardiovascular parameters were also measured as the participants underwent various stress tests two hours after being given CBD.
CBD was found to reduce systolic blood pressure by an average of 6 mmHg during rest, 5 mmHg before and after stress, and 6 mmHg in response to cold stress. Systolic blood pressure represents the pressure in a person’s blood vessels as the heart beats. A healthy systolic blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg, while a systolic pressure of 140mm HG or higher is considered too high.
“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,” the study concludes.
The investigators also reported that CBD reduced stroke volume and increased heart rate by an average of 7 beats per minute, but there was no observed decline in cardiac output.
Previous research has found CBD to be a vasodilator, meaning it allows for greater blood flow to normalize blood pressure and reduce the damage to arterial walls. Studies have also found CBD provides neuroprotective and cardio-related effects that are beneficial for cardiovascular disease and stroke. CBD has shown to restore regular heart rhythm following an ischemic attack and to significantly reduce infarct size, oxidative stress, inflammation, and preserve the performance of the left ventricle following a heart attack.
The evidence in the latest study suggests, the researchers conclude, that CBD may be beneficial in addressing some cardiovascular conditions, such as high blood pressure. About 75 million adults in the United States, or 32 percent of the adult population, have high blood pressure. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. It’s largely a symptomless condition that can quietly threaten a person’s health.
“Further research is also required to establish whether CBD has any role in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension,” the study concludes.
The entire study, “A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study,” is available to read via JCI Insight.
You can learn more about the research that has investigated the effects of CBD by visiting our education page.
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