High Blood Pressure & Medical Marijuana
High Blood Pressure or Hypertension, is a chronic medical condition. where artery pressure is chronically elevated above the normal range of 100–140 mmHg - when the heart pushes blood and 60–90 mmHg - between pulses.
The lining of blood vessels, the endothelium play a critical role in a variety of human disorders, including peripheral vascular disease, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, insulin resistance, chronic kidney failure, tumor growth, metastasis, venous thrombosis, and severe viral infectious diseases
The administration of Medical Marijuana and synthetic derivatives have also been shown to lower blood pressure without cardiotoxicity. Components of Medical Cannabis produce an anti-inflammatory response; by reducing inflammation of the lining that impedes or restricts blood flow, the diameter of blood vessels is widened and blood pressure is reduced.
"A newspaper is a circulating library with high blood pressure."
-- Arthur Baer, Journalist, Funnyman
How Medical Cannabis Lowers Blood Pressure
The body's endocannabinoid system plays an important role in cardiovascular regulation and high blood pressure. Endocannabinoids produced naturally by the body interact with the body and brain's control system that governs many bodily functions.
Cannabinoids, components of Medical Marijuana, mimic the body's endocannabinoids that are intricately involved in cardiovascular control system control. Many studies report that Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD work by normalizing the heart's pumping action through the relaxation of overly tense muscles and tissues, allowing blood to flow more freely and normally. These basic discoveries offer a solid scientific basis for Medical Cannabis treatment for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disorders.
"The endothelium (blood vessel lining) produces a variety of substances that play important roles in regulation of the circulation and vascular wall homeostasis (stability). The control of blood vessel wall homeostasis is achieved via production of vasorelaxants (relaxants) and vasoconstrictors (constriction). Relaxants include and endocannabinoids)."
-- Dr. Schiffrin, Canada Research Chair and Director of the Hypertension and Vascular Research
MMJDOCTORONLINE Notes: It is important that a licensed Medical Marijuana be consulted before taking any MMJ medication. While Medical Cannabis works for many, Strains high in THC should not be indicated for everyone with Hypertension. For more information, contact one of our Medical Marijuana Doctors for a Cannabis Consultation.
"One way to get high blood pressure is to go mountain climbing over molehills."
-- Earl Wilson, Old school news man
Further Reading - Research Breakthroughs
Cannabinoids Lower Hypertension
-- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health
"The endocannabinoid system plays a role under physiological and many pathophysiological conditions"
"We conclude that endoCannabinoids tonically suppress cardiac contractility in hypertension. Targeting the endocannabinoid system offers novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of hypertension."
EndoCannabinoids - Regulation of Blood Pressure
"Cannabinoids and their endogenous and synthetic analogs exert powerful hypotensive and cardiodepressant effects by complex mechanisms involving direct and indirect effects on myocardium and vasculature."
Cannabis Therapy in Vascular Disease and Hypertension
"Cannabinoids have significant and complex effects on the vascular system that are not explained by a single mechanism or a single site of action."
Side Effects of Medical Marijuana
"The potential for increased use of Marijuana in the changing legal landscape suggests the need for the community to intensify research regarding the safety of Marijuana use."