Can CBD Oil Help Lower and Control High Blood Pressure Level?
A 2017 study published in the JCI Insight Journal showed that a single dose of CBD could reduce resting blood pressure as well as the blood pressure response to stress.
Does that mean you can effectively use CBD oil for high blood pressure aka hypertension?
The lion’s share of CBD’s effects on blood pressure is believed to stem from its anti-anxiety and analgesic effects, as noted by the authors of a 2019 study from the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry.
While the aforementioned benefits of CBD have been tested on healthy individuals and animals — meaning there’s a lack of research on subjects with hypertension — current findings are very promising.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What high blood pressure is and how it can affect your health
- The benefits of using CBD oil for high blood pressure
- Scientific research on CBD and hypertension
- How to take CBD oil for high blood pressure
- Where to Buy CBD oil and what brands you can trust
Let’s start with an industry overview, where we highlight the best CBD oils for high blood pressure in 2020.
What is High Blood Pressure? (Hypertension)
Blood pressure refers to the amount of blood the heart pumps and the resistance to blood flow in the arteries.
Mayo Clinic reports that the higher amount of blood the heart pumps, and the less space in the arteries, the higher the blood pressure.
High blood pressure (hypertension) leads to the narrowing and blocking of blood vessels, affecting cardiovascular health by increasing the risk of having a heart attack.
If you want to test your blood pressure, your doctor will need to measure it through a blood pressure reading, which is given in two numbers.
The first figure refers to systolic blood pressure. This is the pressure created by the heart contracting and releasing blood. The second figure, known as diastolic blood pressure, refers to the state when the heart relaxes and the blood starts to fill it.
The blood pressure reads as the systolic blood pressure number over the diastolic blood pressure number, such as 120/80.
120/80 is a normal blood pressure reading for adults, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
Results higher than that may indicate problems with high blood pressure if they are regular.
Common Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
The American Heart Association defines high blood pressure as a “silent killer,” warning that individuals may suffer from hypertension for years without any symptoms
However, when those symptoms occur, they usually include:
- Headaches
- Red cheeks
- Shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
Note that those symptoms may not occur until hypertension has reached a life-threatening level.
Fortunately, it’s easy to monitor your blood pressure and detect hypertension before it takes a serious toll on your health. Once the condition is diagnosed, you can work with a doctor to control it.
Why Take CBD Hemp Oil for High Blood Pressure?
In a 2015 study run by scientists from the University of Nottingham Royal Derby Hospital, CBD was shown to be a potent vasodilator, helping in the dilation of blood vessels and increasing blood flow as a result.
Not only that, but CBD oil has a few other properties that may cause a drop in one’s blood pressure, many of which produce this effect indirectly.
Not to mention the lack of side effects associated with using conventional hypertension treatments (more on that later).
How CBD Oil Could Help with High Blood Pressure?
As noted before, CBD has been shown to have remarkable effects on high blood pressure by addressing health problems that cause it to rise. Let’s name a few of them.
CBD Reduces Anxiety
Anxiety and lack of sleep are one of the leading factors linked to high blood pressure.
In 2019, a study was published in The Permanente Journal, where researchers measured sleep and anxiety scores in human subjects. The findings showed that CBD could help ease anxiety-related disorders.
Another study, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2019, CBD proved to have a significant effect on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Finally, a 2018 study from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2018 concluded that the improved stress response caused by CBD can reduce blood pressure in people with hypertension when they encounter anxiety-inducing situations.
CBD is a Vasodilator
CBD may help improve cardiovascular health by opening the blood vessels and allowing smoother blood flow, which makes it a natural vasodilator.
These properties of CBD were proven in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized crossover study run by scientists from the Royal Derby Hospital Centre and Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Churchill Hospital in the UK in 2017.
In the study, the team investigated the link between CBD and a drop in blood pressure, concluding that a single dose of CBD oil significantly reduced blood pressure in human volunteers, both at rest and under stress.
However, this study was conducted on healthy volunteers, not on people with hypertension.
CBD Has Remarkable Anti-inflammatory Effects
According to studies from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory compound. Inflammation can be one of the causes of high blood pressure. By eliminating inflammation, CBD could reduce high blood pressure. And since inflammation doesn’t have to occur solely during hypertension, we advise you to take care of a healthy lifestyle regardless of your supplementation.
CBD Modulates Cortisol Secretion
Cortisol is called the “stress hormone” because the body starts to release it under stress. Chronically high cortisol levels may lead to a physical stress response in the body that could elevate blood pressure.
In 1993, Brazilian scientists suggested that CBD modulates cortisol secretion, meaning it can reduce the amount of stress we experience and thus alleviate hypertension. The results were published in the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research.
CBD Has Hemodynamic Properties
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Frontiers in Pharmacology in 2017 showed that CBD might be used as a potential treatment for cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and stroke.
However, they only found that evidence under non-stressful conditions, indicating that data from human studies on the effects of CBD on the blood flow dynamics is limited.
CBD Balances Neurotransmitters
There are a few types of hypertension, one of which is known as cardiac contractility. In this condition, the heart pumps blood too fast, resulting in excessive cardiac activity.
A 2017 study from the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Journal highlighted the importance of neurotransmitters, such as anandamide, in the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system.
According to the data from the study, CBD regulates the reuptake of essential cardiac neurotransmitters that modulates the pumping of blood.
CBD Protects Healthy Cells
In a 2013 study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, researchers showed how CBD improves blood flow in the vessels to maintain proper blood pressure.
Data from the said study provides insight into how CBD protects neurons, which may help prevent any cardiovascular conditions as well as stroke.
The study also suggests that CBD can promote a healthy heart rhythm after ischemic damage, which occurs upon the blockage of arteries. In other words, CBD may improve cardiac function immediately after a heart attack.
Best CBD Oils for High Blood Pressure – Our Top Picks in 2020
Taking CBD oil drops sublingually may be the best way to benefit from CBD for high blood pressure as it offers fast absorption with a relatively fast onset of effects.
In this section, you’ll find the best CBD brands that we recommend to use daily for issues related to hypertension, based on extensive tests of over 40 manufacturers.
1. Royal CBD (Best CBD Oil)
Product Details
| Potency | 250 mg – 2500 mg |
| Available Flavors | Natural, Berry, Mint, Vanilla |
| CBD per serving | 8.3 mg – 83.3 mg |
Why Royal CBD is the Best CBD Oil for Hypertension
Royal CBD was launched in 2018 by a group of cannabis enthusiasts as a small artisan company. The guys started out with just one product in three concentrations, continuously expanding their collection with softgel capsules, THC-free gummies, and topicals for pain relief.
Royal CBD oil is available in four potency options now, starting at 250 mg up to 2500 mg of CBD per bottle.
All of Royal CBD’s premium products come from organic hemp harvested in California and Colorado, which are known as the best areas for growing hemp plants in terms of the soil quality and weather conditions. These are full-spectrum products, so you’re taking 100+ cannabinoids along with the plant’s natural terpenes, polyphenols, and other nutrients in each dose. Royal CBD tests its CBD oil in certified laboratories for content analysis and purity screening as a sound quality proof.
This is hands down the best CBD oil for common problems related to high blood pressure, such as anxiety and difficulty sleeping. My response to stress triggers, as well as focus and sleep quality, have greatly improved since I started taking it. It also has a nice neutral taste, unlike other natural CBD oils that I’ve tried.
Definitely recommended if you’re looking for the top-shelf quality without breaking the bank.
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2. Gold Bee (Best Flavored)
Product Details
| Potency | 300 – 1200 mg |
| Available Flavors | Natural, Honey |
| CBD per serving | 8.3 mg – 33.3 mg |
About Gold Bee
Gold Bee is another premium company with roots in California. This particular brand grabbed me by the throat both when it comes to the quality of its extracts and the honey-flavored version of the oil. This is the best tasting CBD oil I’ve ever taken; it feels natural, and the sweetness from the honey flavoring isn’t overwhelming, which has made my experience with Gold Bee even better.
Similar to Royal CBD, Gold Bee offers full-spectrum products from organic hemp. The plants are grown in California and Colorado without pesticides or growth boosters that could compromise their purity and potency. The only reason why this company didn’t score first place was its potency range. There are no high-potency oils in Gold Bee’s collection, which I believe will soon change.
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3. CBDPure (Best Value)
Product Details
| Potency | 100 – 1000 mg |
| Available Flavors | None |
| CBD per serving | 3.3 – 33 mg/mL |
About CBDPure
CBDPure is one of the pioneer companies on the market, but despite its reputation and a dedicated community of customers, the guys at CBDPure haven’t rested on their laurels. Recently, the company has introduced a 1000 mg CBD oil to its line up, which is a great option for people with hypertension whose dosage doesn’t go beyond 30 mg CBD daily.
If transparency is your main priority, this is the best CBD company to buy from. CBDPure goes above and beyond in describing every detail of its activity, from hemp source to extraction, testing procedures, and customer service.
CBDPure has a 90-day return policy, under which you can return the product if you’re not satisfied with the effects, and you’ll get a full refund. I didn’t return mine because I was damn happy with my results, but it’s a great nod towards those who don’t want to commit on the first date.
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4. Hemp Bombs (Best CBD Isolate)
Product Details
| Potency | 125 – 4000 mg |
| Available Flavors | Natural, Acai Berry, Orange Creamsicle, Peppermint, Watermelon |
| CBD per serving | 4 – 133 mg/mL |
About Hemp Bombs
Hemp Bombs is a manufacturer that specializes in making premium CBD oil made from isolate. These are very potent oils, reaching up to 4000 mg of CBD per bottle.
This CBD oil is a great option for people with hypertension who want to steer clear of any THC in their product because CBD isolate contains nothing but pure CBD. This also means that the end product has no odor or flavor, being more versatile than full-spectrum CBD oil.
However, CBD isolate doesn’t produce the entourage effect, so you won’t experience the synergy from other cannabinoids and terpenes. If you want something closer to the whole-plant synergy, you can check out Hemp Bombs’ broad-spectrum extracts, which contain everything except for the said THC.
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5. CBDistillery (Best Price)
Product Details
| Potency | 250 – 5000 mg |
| Available Flavors | None |
| Potency | 8.3 – 166 mg/mL |
About CBDistillery
CBDistillery is another industry’s trailblazer in our ranking of the best CBD oils for high blood pressure. This company has been making high-quality CBD oil for over five years, recently reformulating their extracts and introducing a line of broad-spectrum CBD oil to provide its customers with greater freedom of choice. The broad-spectrum version is labeled as “pure oil” and contains CBD, other non-psychoactive cannabinoids, and terpenes but without any THC.
CBDistillery covers the entire potency range for CBD extracts, from 250 mg to a whopping 5000 mg of total CBD. The strongest CBD oil carries 166 mg of CBD per milliliter, which can get you supplied for months to come if you use CBD oil for preventive supplementation or to manage your blood pressure.
I’ve been satisfied with the results, as CBDistillery’s CBD oil toned my anxiety down and helped me sleep better after an intense day, without having headaches and brain fog the day after. However, I’m a bit concerned about the source of hemp this company uses. The plant isn’t organic, so you can’t expect the same quality as from other full-spectrum products on this list. However, it’s still the best CBD oil in its price category.
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The Effects of Using CBD From Hemp for High Blood Pressure
Besides the aforementioned research on using CBD for high blood pressure, CBD is generally well-tolerated in humans, even at doses as high as 1,500 mg of CBD daily. The WHO classified CBD as natural and safe in its critical review, highlighting the lack of abuse potential.
Another significant benefit of CBD oil is that you can use it to prevent hypertension. CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system — the imperative regulatory network in the body — helping it to maintain neurochemical balance known as homeostasis. This makes CBD oil an effective tool for taking care of your wellness along with a healthy diet and active lifestyle.
Potential Risks of Taking CBD Oil for High Blood Pressure
There are a few risks of taking CBD oil for high blood pressure, although many of them aren’t risks per se, or they don’t refer directly to CBD as a compound.
- CBD isn’t an acknowledged form of treatment according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to limitations in the studies.
- CBD can alter the way the body metabolizes certain medications. Research published in the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Journal warns about combining CBD with other medications for high blood pressure due to potential interactions.
- The industry is very loosely regulated; many CBD products available for sale are untested and mislabeled, and often don’t contain the advertised amount of CBD. Some of them may be contaminated with pesticides or solvents.
Since doctors don’t recommend combining CBD with other medications for hypertension, you may start wondering which option is better for you.
We’re not going to tell you that, but instead, we’ll provide you with an honest overview of taking CBD oil for high blood pressure vs. conventional treatments.
Is CBD Oil Better than Conventional Treatments for High Blood Pressure?
Doctors often prescribe one or more of the following pharmaceuticals to people diagnosed with high blood pressure:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitors like Benazepril and Vasotec. They prevent the contraction of blood vessels.
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) like Diovan. These are vasodilators; their aim is to dilate blood vessels.
- Diuretics like Diuril and Lozol. These drugs increase urination, allowing the body to get rid of sodium and fluids. This, in turn, results in lower blood volume and lower blood pressure.
However, these medications may cause some unpleasant side effects, such as:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Loss of libido
- Problems with erection
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Skin rash
- Weight fluctuations
- Shortness of breath
- Dry cough
- Headaches
- Anxiety
On the other hand, CBD oil — when taken alone — has a very short list of side effects, most of them are mild. The side effects of CBD oil include dry mouth, sedation, dizziness, or diarrhea (in extreme cases).
CBD Dosage for High Blood Pressure
Everybody reacts differently to CBD oil because there are too many factors determining its effectiveness to come up with a one-size-fits-all-dosage.
However, you can follow certain guidelines, such as the one from a 2019 review published by Mayo Clinic, where experts suggest CBD dosages based on publications, scientific research, and historical use.
The best approach is to start with lower doses, monitoring your effects, and gradually working your way up to the point where you can feel the benefits of CBD on your blood pressure.
As with any form of supplementation, consistency is critical when it comes to CBD oil. The authors of a 2017 study published in the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Journal provided evidence that lower doses of CBD oil taken consistently could help promote and maintain healthy thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and neuroprotective effects.
How to Take CBD Oil for High Blood Pressure
Don’t know how to use CBD oil for high blood pressure?
Since our article talks mostly about CBD oil drops, here’s an instruction on how to take it:
- Squeeze in the desired amount of CBD oil using a dropper attached to its bottle.
- Use the dropper to apply the oil under the tongue.
- Hold it there for about 30-60 seconds.
- Swallow.
The reason why people take CBD oil under the tongue is the way CBD absorbs into the bloodstream. When ingested sublingually, it can reach the bloodstream directly through special capillaries and mucous membranes, avoiding the first-pass effect in the liver.
The majority of premium CBD oils are suspended in food-grade MCT oil that improves its absorption because, at the end of the day, some CBD will make it to your gut as you swallow the drops. CBD is fat-soluble, hence the higher efficacy.
Bottom Line: Does CBD Oil Work for High Blood Pressure?
The Centers for Disease Control reports that about 75 million American adults suffer from hypertension. People with high blood pressure are exposed to a greater risk of heart disease and strokes, the two leading causes of death in the United States.
Studies have shown that CBD can assist users in controlling their blood pressure as well as targeting the factors that cause hypertension, such as stress, pain, and poorly functioning sleep cycles.
Still, before experimenting with different CBD dosages, make sure to consult your doctor about your plans to avoid potential drug interactions, especially if you take prescription blood thinners.
There’s a wide range of products to choose, both online and locally, so it’s no wonder that picking the best CBD oil for your needs sounds overwhelming at first. If you don’t feel like doing your own research, you can use our recommendations or get in touch with other customers and ask them for their opinion.
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