Does Marijuana Lower Blood Pressure or Raise It
Marijuana use is common. CDC estimates 52.5 million Americans used cannabis at least once in 2021. Evidence of benefit is strongest for a few uses, such as chemotherapy nausea, and cannabis has side effects, including on the heart. So does marijuana raise or lower blood pressure? Right after use it can raise both blood pressure and heart rate, CDC says, and CBD alone has lowered pressure only in one tiny study.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Before we look at the link between marijuana and blood pressure or answer questions like “Does marijuana lower blood pressure or raise it?” here is how blood pressure works and why high readings are a problem.
The term “blood pressure” describes the pressure or force of the blood as it passes through the body’s blood vessels. When we measure blood pressure, we have two key numbers to focus on: the systolic blood pressure, which tells us the amount of pressure during the contraction of the heart, and the diastolic blood pressure, which tells us the pressure between each beat of the heart.
Blood pressure is written as two numbers, such as 120/80, with 120 the systolic and 80 the diastolic. High blood pressure, or hypertension, begins at stage 1, a top number of 130 to 139 or a bottom number of 80 to 89, and stage 2 starts at 140/90. This means that the blood is under greater levels of pressure, putting more strain on the artery walls and leading to health risks like strokes and heart failure.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the main cannabinoids in cannabis plants. It interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system and is widely studied as marijuana as medicine, but its only FDA-approved use is the seizure drug Epidiolex.
Is CBD Safe to Use for High Blood Pressure?
Not proven. A single 600 mg dose lowered resting systolic pressure by 6 points in 9 healthy men in a 2017 randomized crossover study, but CBD is not a treatment for high blood pressure. FDA warns CBD can cause liver injury and change how other medicines work, so check with the doctor who manages your blood pressure before trying it, even if you also see a marijuana doctor.
Does Marijuana Raise or Lower Blood Pressure?
So, does marijuana raise blood pressure? And how does marijuana affect blood pressure in general? In the short term it can push blood pressure up, and researchers have studied whole-plant marijuana and single cannabinoids such as THC separately to learn more.
CDC notes that blood pressure and heart rate can both rise right after cannabis use. However, the exact effects can vary from person to person and will be dependent on a wide range of factors, like the person’s health state, tolerance to cannabis, and the dosage consumed.
If you already have high blood pressure, that rise after use could make it worse, and the 2024 study below found the odds of heart attack and stroke climbed with more days of use. CDC also warns that cannabis could increase the risk of stroke, heart disease and other vascular diseases.
Beyond that short-term rise, the evidence is mixed and the studies are few. Much more data is needed to make any clear conclusions about how marijuana might impact primary hypertension and secondary hypertension, and whether or not it might lead to blood pressure side effects like shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and nosebleeds.
Can CBD Help Lower Blood Pressure?
Early evidence only: the 2017 study gave one dose to healthy volunteers, not to people with hypertension. More research is needed before anyone can say whether CBD lowers blood pressure in people with hypertension. Anyone with high blood pressure should follow their doctor’s treatment plan and check with them before adding CBD edibles or oils.
What Type of CBD Has Been Studied for Blood Pressure?
No type of CBD is proven to lower blood pressure. The 2017 study used pure CBD, and FDA testing found many CBD products do not contain the amount of CBD on the label.
Can Marijuana Cause a Heart Attack?
Studies suggest a link. A 2024 cross-sectional study of 434,104 U.S. adults found daily cannabis use was tied to 25% higher odds of heart attack and 42% higher odds of stroke, and the odds rose with more days of use.
Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure and are thinking about CBD, know the risks first. FDA lists sleepiness, diarrhea, decreased appetite and mood changes as side effects, warns of liver injury and drug interactions, and says CBD with alcohol or sedatives raises the risk of drowsiness and injury, so avoid driving if it makes you sleepy.
Talk with a Doctor
Marijuana and blood pressure is a mixed picture, and your questions are best answered by someone who knows your readings and medicines. Start with the doctor who manages your blood pressure; a medical marijuana doctor can explain Florida’s card rules.
Summary
Overall, cannabis can raise blood pressure and heart rate right after use, CBD alone has lowered resting pressure only in one very small study, and the heart risks of regular use are still being studied, so neither is a blood pressure treatment. If you’re unsure about anything, speak with a doctor to get all the facts you need before using cannabis with high blood pressure. Contact us for further details.
