Did you know that millions upon millions of
Americans experience abnormally low or high blood pressure? Well, now you do, with in fact, high blood
pressure being considered the more common of the two. Why?
Because blood pressure has such a critical role in our overall health,
I’s important that we do what we can to manage it, through a healthy diet,
stress reduction methods, and the use of supplements or medications if
necessary.
Over the years, studies have been
showing that cannabidiol (CBD) offers a distinctive effect on blood pressure as
well. This natural, nontoxic and
nonintoxicating hemp derivative seems to have the potential to address certain
blood pressure-related issues, but how?
And, based on what we know from scientific studies, how can we use CBD
effectively to possibly address certain blood pressure disorders?
What Exactly is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure refers to the amount of
pressure that pushes against the walls of the arteries, as a function of our
body’s cardiovascular system. With every
heartbeat, our heart is sending blood through the body to the tissues and
organs. It’s measured in units of
millimeters of mercury, according to our systolic blood pressure (pressure when
the heart beats) over diastolic blood pressure (pressure when the heart
relaxes), which can be determined through a cuff inflated with air that’s
wrapped around an artery.
Blood pressure levels can vary quite a
bit throughout the day. For instance,
our blood pressure is typically lower before we eat, and higher after. During moments of heightened physical
activity, it can increase, and decrease during moments of rest. Our blood pressure also gets higher when
we’re feeling stressed. This is normal,
and if your blood pressure fluctuates somewhat during the day, that doesn’t
mean that something is wrong.
However, chronically high or low blood
pressure can be a problem, since it indicates a deeper issue within the
body. For instance, hypertension, or
chronically high blood pressure, can lead to health complications like
cardiovascular disease, and can be caused by chronic stress, poor diet or being
overweight. Chronically low blood
pressure, or hypotension, can prevent the body from getting nutrients and
oxygen. Low blood pressure can occur if
a person has lost a lot of blood, if they’re standing for a long time, if they
haven’t eaten or if they’re exposed to extreme heat which affects their nervous
system. Also, to an extent, both
hypertension and hypotension can be inherited genetically.
Blood pressure problems can, like we mentioned,
lead to a host of issues, which is why it is crucial to treat them
carefully. Doctors always check blood
pressure when you have a medical appointment, and they will tell you if your
blood pressure is abnormal. You can also
purchase blood pressure monitors that can be used throughout the day as needed,
to monitor it yourself. If you have
abnormal blood pressure, your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes or
medications to address the issue, depending on the severity.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Hypertension is regarded as “the silent
killer” for a reason – often, it goes asymptomatic for a long time, and only
starts to become problematic when it’s too late. High blood pressure is deadly, and because it
can be asymptomatic for so long, it’s all the more important that you see your
doctor regularly so that they can check your blood pressure and determine
whether or not it’s abnormally high.
Still, people can experience symptoms
of high blood pressure, with the most common ones being:
- Headaches
- Nervousness
- Facial flushing
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Nose bleeds
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
Low blood pressure tends to be more
symptomatic than high blood pressure, and a person experiencing hypotension may
feel:
- Lightheadedness
- Weakness/faintness
- Excessive thirst
- Dehydration
- Blurred vision
- Confusion/trouble
concentrating - Pins and
needles/numbness in the extremities - Sudden cold sweats
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Increased heartrate
- Paleness
What Does CBD Have to Do with Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is a cardiovascular
function of the body that’s always at work, whether we’re awake or asleep. And, as a natural process of the body, it’s
influenced by the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system (ECS)
is a system of the body that consists of cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors)
found in every bodily system, including the endocannabinoid system. These cannabinoid receptors regulate
individual bodily processes to keep us in homeostasis, after a chemical
reaction takes place in which cannabinoid attach to these receptors. Blood pressure is a process that uses
cannabinoid receptors to become regulated.
As CBD is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant, it has an
influence on blood pressure that is shown in a number of studies.
CBD for Blood Pressure: What Can It Accomplish Overall?
Let’s take a look at what the research
has to say when it comes to cannabidiol’s impact on blood pressure. The general consensus, as you’ll see
momentarily, is that cannabidiol has a lowering effect on blood pressure, as
there really isn’t any information out there on what it can do for
hypotension.
One of the most fascinating
studies to come out on CBD’s relationship with
blood pressure shows us the extent to which the cannabinoid is effective. A group of healthy men were given high doses
of CBD daily for several days, and another group was not. The men who were given CBD experienced
overall reduced blood pressure for a week of daily use, and after that, their
body built up a tolerance to the effect so that they maintained normal blood
pressure with each daily dosage.
However, at moments of stress, when blood pressure typically increases,
their blood pressure stayed within a healthy range. What this shows us is that CBD may generally
decrease blood pressure as our body gets used to it, but after we take it on a
daily basis, it only brings down blood pressure at times when it would
typically become abnormally high.
Research has also shown that essentially,
cannabidiol has a positive
regulatory effect on cardiovascular and circulatory functions,
as the cannabinoid does interact directly with cannabinoid receptors that
regulate these systems of the body.
Should You Try CBD For Blood Pressure?
Basically, cannabidiol does have a
clear effect on blood pressure – particularly by lowering blood pressure, which
can be useful for those who struggle with hypertension. So, if you do have high blood pressure, and would
like to try some CBD-infused products available
here at The Vape Mall, such as tinctures
and gummies, in order to see if they can help you in a natural and holistic
way, then we urge you to speak with your doctor initially about whether or not
it’s something worth incorporating into your daily routine. Due to CBD being nontoxic and
nonintoxicating, it may act as a sound method to keep blood pressure at more
manageable levels from day-to-day.
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