Hypertension, affecting approximately 33% of adult Americans, is a significant public health issue due to its ability to escalate into serious conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, heart failure, and stroke. If neglected or inadequately managed, it poses severe health risks. Several factors can increase the risk of developing hypertension, including poor diet, stress, physical inactivity, and consumption of harmful substances like alcohol or tobacco. An emerging area of interest is the potential effect of cannabis consumption on hypertension. Considering the adverse effects of high blood pressure on health, it is critical to understand cannabis’s impact. Research indicates that cannabis use usually leads to a moderate increase in blood pressure and heart rate, followed by a decrease in blood pressure – a phenomenon known as the hypotensive effect. Strikingly, this increase peaks around 15 minutes post-consumption. Repeated use may lead to a tolerance to these effects, bypassing the initial blood pressure spike. While anecdotal evidence and research suggest that cannabis may be beneficial in managing hypertension, these effects are well-understood within the medical community. Despite this, comprehensive research studies on cannabis consumption are still limited, leaving certain aspects underexplored. The long-term adverse effects and specific positive impacts of cannabis on blood pressure are not fully discernible due to this research gap. Current research predominantly focuses on THC – the psychoactive compound of cannabis, often overlooking the other cannabinoids present in the substance. It’s generally assumed that the effects of THC would significantly differ from those of non-intoxicating compounds like CBD. The lack of differentiation of impacts based on the method of administration in most studies further complicates specific findings. Interestingly, an individual’s posture during cannabis consumption can affect its impact on blood pressure. Consumption while sitting or lying down often leads to a temporary blood pressure increase. However, if consumed while standing, blood pressure may decrease without the initial increase. In the context of cannabis and heart disease, a 15-year study followed 3,617 adults to determine a long-term linkage between cannabis use and increased stroke or heart attack risk. The data indicating a connection between acute intoxication and heart disease is limited and often overlooks concurrent consumption of other substances like alcohol or tobacco. A Harvard Medical School study indicated that the risk of heart attack increases fivefold for 60 minutes post-cannabis consumption, particularly for higher-risk groups. This risk, however, significantly diminishes after two hours. Evaluating cannabis as a potential hypertension treatment, the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates essential physiological functions including the cardiovascular system, plays a significant role. Recent findings suggest that anandamide, the body’s natural analog of THC, can relax blood vessels, promoting free blood flow and reducing blood pressure. A National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism report suggested that “endocannabinoids tonically suppress cardiac contractility in hypertension,” providing potential novel therapeutic strategies in treating hypertension. However, no cannabinoid-based medicines have been approved for hypertension to date, despite several decades of related studies. With growing anecdotal evidence and small-scale studies supporting cannabis’s potential role in reducing blood pressure, the medical field anticipates comprehensive human studies to establish a clear correlation. Contributions from noted neurologist and medical cannabis specialist Dr. Daniel P. Stein bring valuable insights to this rapidly developing field.

Hypertension is a significant public health issue that can lead to serious conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, heart failure, and stroke. Several factors can increase the risk of developing hypertension, including poor diet, stress, physical inactivity, and consumption of harmful substances like alcohol or tobacco .

An emerging area of interest is the potential effect of cannabis consumption on hypertension. Research indicates that cannabis use usually leads to a moderate increase in blood pressure and heart rate, followed by a decrease in blood pressure – a phenomenon known as the hypotensive effect. Strikingly, this increase peaks around 15 minutes post-consumption. Repeated use may lead to a tolerance to these effects, bypassing the initial blood pressure spike .

While anecdotal evidence and research suggest that cannabis may be beneficial in managing hypertension, comprehensive research studies on cannabis consumption are still limited, leaving certain aspects underexplored. The long-term adverse effects and specific positive impacts of cannabis on blood pressure are not fully discernible due to this research gap. Current research predominantly focuses on THC – the psychoactive compound of cannabis, often overlooking the other cannabinoids present in the substance. It’s generally assumed that the effects of THC would significantly differ from those of non-intoxicating compounds like CBD. The lack of differentiation of impacts based on the method of administration in most studies further complicates specific findings .

Interestingly, an individual’s posture during cannabis consumption can affect its impact on blood pressure. Consuming cannabis while standing up can lead to a more significant increase in blood pressure than consuming it while lying down ¹.

Please note that while cannabis may have some potential benefits in managing hypertension, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using cannabis as a treatment option.

Learn more:

1. webmd.com2. acc.org3. neurologyofcannabis.com4. cannigma.com5. wayofleaf.com