Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound that has been found to help reduce some of the factors associated with high blood pressure, such as stress, anxiety, and poor quality of sleep. Studies have shown that acute administration of CBD can lower resting blood pressure and increase blood pressure in response to stress in humans, which is associated with an increase in heart rate. This may be due to the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of CBD, as well as any direct cardiovascular effects. More research is needed to determine if CBD plays a role in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
There are also no official dosing guidelines available on the use of CBD for blood pressure, so there is no approved dose of CBD to treat blood pressure. However, some brands state that their organic hemp is grown in Colorado and that they control the entire process from cultivation to production. A recent study in male Sprague-Dawley rats showed that the activation of GPR18 in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) by abnormal CBD (ABN-CBD) caused a reduction in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate (2). This response may be secondary to the known anxiolytic properties of CBD (1).
Additionally, studies have suggested that CBD has vasodilating and stress-reducing properties, which may explain why there was no anticipatory increase in blood pressure observed with placebo. Overall, there was a tendency to reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), stroke volume (SV), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and forearm blood flow in subjects who had taken CBD, especially before and after exercise tests. These hemodynamic changes should be taken into account for people taking CBD. Initial research on CBD suggests that this cannabinoid may have a number of health benefits, including potential benefits for blood pressure. However, more research is needed to determine if CBD plays a role in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
Additionally, there are no official dosing guidelines available on the use of CBD for blood pressure, so there is no approved dose of CBD to treat blood pressure.