CBD (cannabidiol) is the main active compound in medical cannabis. People all over the United States have mixed sentiments when it comes to its use. But, scientists, researchers, and doctors are busy finding its potential to treat or limit the conditions of many medical conditions.
They believe that it is effective in subsiding the effects of chemotherapy by promoting better appetite and limiting nausea. Moreover, it can also help people with multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, seizures, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep apnea, hyper apnea, and diabetes.
At present, medical cannabis is legal in 36 states in the United States. The states that legalized it includes Arizona, California, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, and Washington DC.
It means that thousands of people are using it. It is crucial to educate people about its health benefits and precautions with increased usability. Like any other medicine, people can also abuse medical cannabis by overdosing. Besides, it may conflict with other over-the-counter medications.
Hence, in this guide, we will take a look at whether the CBD compound conflicts with blood pressure medicine or not. We will also share a quick overview of hypertension.
Additionally, we will discuss the behavior of CBD oil when used with typical hypertension medicines, review the available research on CBD’s potential to help people with hypertension, and share preventive tips to avoid the side effects.
So, without further ado, let’s started.
How Do CBD Oil And Blood Pressure Medicine Interact?
There are many pharmaceuticals providing blood pressure medicines. We cannot explain CBD oil’s interactions with all available medications for controlling hypertension. , But we can discuss the more widely used medications such as metoprolol, lisinopril, hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine besylate, and valsartan.
While taking CBD oil with blood pressure medication, you should take a few things into consideration. That is, CBD oil is a safe compound that does not create a psychoactive effect in the human body and mind. Moreover, it has little to no side effects. But, if CBD and blood pressure medicines are used together, they both will reduce the efficacy of the other.
The CBD compound is an inhibitor of the cytochrome P-450 system. This enzyme system breaks down medicines into smaller pieces that the body can easily process. CBD slow down this pathway. Hence, medicines that rely on the cytochrome P-450 enzyme pathway may remain longer in the system. As a result, your body may start experiencing their side effects.
If you want to try CBD oil for your blood pressure condition, you will need a medical marijuana card Florida.
Blood Pressure And Hypertension
According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), it is normal for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day. But if it remains on the higher side for an extended period, then the person may have hypertension.
In the United States, almost half of the adult population (47%) have hypertension. In 2019, it was a primary or contributing factor for half of the deaths in the US; 516955 deaths.
People with hypertension generally do not diagnose it on their own because it does not typically have any visible symptoms. Thus, doctors recommend monition the blood pressure. If a person fails to diagnose it and delays treatment, it may lead to severe medical conditions. They may experience a heart stroke, chest pain, or heart attack.
Side Effects Of Blood Pressure Medicines And CBD Oil
We have listed the potential side effects you may experience when using blood pressure medicines alongside CBD oil.
Metoprolol (Lopressor; Toprol XL)
When you use this medicine with CBD oil, the antihypertension function in it will experience a decline; that is, its efficacy will be reduced.
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
If you are using hydrochlorothiazide and CBD oil together, then expect to see a decline in blood pressure medicine’s efficacy since its antihypertensive function may decrease.
Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc)
Amlodipine besylate, when used in conjunction with CBD oil, may make the latter metabolized slower.
Valsartan (Diovan)
This medicine will slow down the metabolized process of CBD oil, affecting the results you expect to derive from the oil.
Lisinopril (Prinivil; Zestril)
Using it with CBD may decrease its antihypertensive function.
Also, remember that CBD oil on its own can lower blood pressure. When you start using it combined with a medicine for the same purpose, your blood pressure can decrease too much in a short period. This may make you feel lethargic and weak.
How To Avoid The Side Effects?
The first step should be to visit a medical cannabis doctor before starting using CBD. Moreover, to avoid any inconvenience and side effects, it is recommended that you either go with a medical cannabis treatment or traditional hypertension medicines. Because using both of the medicines together may result in severe side effects.
Regardless of what type of medicine you want to use, you will require a doctor’s prescription. Additionally, take medicine as per the prescribed dosage, as overdosing on any medicine can risk your life.
CBD – A Potential Treatment For Blood Pressure Patients
A research study found that a single dose of CBD is effective in reducing resting blood pressure. Moreover, it can also help with cold stress and post-test periods. The findings reflect the potential health benefits of the compound, including cardiovascular effects, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects.
According to a 2020 study, cannabidiol has vasodilatory effects on rat and human arteries. Researchers believe that CBD’s property to widen blood vessels may help improve blood flow.
If you are interested in using cannabidiol to treat your hypertension, we recommend you to visit your doctor. Since it is a state-controlled medicine, you will require a medical marijuana card Florida. You can only get this card if your state qualifies hypertension as a qualifying medical condition.
It is important to check with your state laws because every state has different regulations when it comes to the use of medical cannabis. Also, if you are already a user of medical cannabis and planning to travel to another state, ensure to check their laws before carrying medical cannabis with you to avoid any legal consequences.
Final Thoughts
This guide walked you through everything you should know about the use of CBD oil if you have hypertension. First, we explored hypertension and discovered that around half of the US adults suffer from it. Proceeding forward, we discussed the behavior of CBD oil and pharmaceutical blood pressure medicine when used together. We also shared with you what happens when you use CBD oil with the most widely used hypertension medicines.
Based on the discussion, it is concluded that to avoid the side effects; the best precautionary steps are to visit a doctor and use either cannabidiol or typical hypertension medicines. As using both at the same time, may trigger side effects by keeping the medicine longer in your system.
We also shared with you some research evidence hinting at the efficacy of CBD oil against hypertension and stress. Thus, if you want to give it a try, you can, but not if it is illegal in your state and your doctor suggests you against it.
