Are you in two minds about smoking cannabis because you feel it may increase your blood pressure? A lot of people think the same as questions concerning marijuana’s impact on human health keep coming up as more states legalize its use. The question of whether smoking cannabis can raise blood pressure has drawn the attention of both researchers and users. Let’s find out what researchers have to say about it.
To start, it’s critical to comprehend that cannabis contains more than a hundred distinct substances referred to as cannabinoids. Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most well-known cannabinoids. Cannabis’ psychoactive effects are caused mainly by THC, but CBD is thought to have a more relaxing and non-intoxicating impact.
Medical Marijuana, much like any other medicinal drug can have side effects if used on a regular basis. However, medical marijuana has shown to manage a wide range of medical conditions such as insomnia, ADHD, chronic pain, PTSD, epilepsy, cancer induced nausea. If you are an Ohio resident and our suffering from any of the above medical health condition, you can apply for medical marijuana card ohio and get on with your medical journey.
What Do Researchers Say?
The effect of cannabis on blood pressure has been the subject of numerous investigations by researchers. However, the results have been somewhat contradictory, making it difficult to conclude. While other studies show no appreciable effect or even a drop in blood pressure, some claim that smoking cannabis can temporarily raise blood pressure shortly after ingestion.
According to a European Journal of Preventive Cardiology study, smoking marijuana causes a temporary, mild rise in blood pressure. The researchers found that people who did not regularly use cannabis had the most significant prevalence of this increase. It is important to note that the study had a limited sample size and concentrated on short-term impacts rather than long-term ones.
On the other hand, a study with a sample size of over 1,200 people published in JAMA Internal Medicine revealed no evidence of a connection between cannabis usage and hypertension (high blood pressure). The fact that the researchers monitored the participants for more than ten years suggests that chronic cannabis usage may not significantly affect blood pressure control.
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included over 1,000 people, were analyzed for the study published in the Journal of Hypertension.
People who reported smoking marijuana during the preceding 30 days had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings than non-users, according to research. They also discovered that the prevalence of hypertension was lower among cannabis users. These findings suggested that cannabis use may protect against blood pressure regulation.
It is essential to highlight that this study did not differentiate between different methods of ingestion or dosages and relied solely on self-reported cannabis use, which may not always be accurate. In addition, as with any observational study, it is difficult to draw conclusions about the cause-and-effect link between cannabis usage and blood pressure from this one piece of evidence.
Further research is needed to investigate the specific mechanisms and long-term effects of cannabis use on blood pressure regulation.
Factors to Consider
While the available study offers insightful information, it’s essential to consider several factors that may influence how cannabis affects blood pressure. Firstly, there is a wide range in the dosage and strength of cannabis consumed, which could produce inconsistent results. The variances in study outcomes may also be due to individual differences in metabolism, general health, and lifestyle choices.
In addition to that, how something is consumed might affect our blood pressure. Cannabis ingestion methods like ingesting edibles or tinctures have less of an impact on the cardiovascular system than smoking, which entails breathing in combustion byproducts. It’s essential to keep in mind that other substances in cigarette smoke, such as nicotine, can affect blood pressure more intensely than just cannabis.
Long-Term Study is Required
To have a better understanding of the subject, further long-term study is required to be conducted by researchers. This will help in clarifying the connection between cannabis use and blood pressure. According to the available data, although there might be a brief rise in blood pressure just after smoking marijuana, this effect might not last very long.
Furthermore, it’s critical to understand that using cannabis has potential risks, particularly for people with pre-existing cardiovascular issues. Before consuming cannabis or altering their treatment regimen, anyone with hypertension or other heart-related concerns should speak with their doctor.
The Bottom Line
To conclude we can say that the subject of how smoking cannabis affects blood pressure is still complicated and developing. While some research indicates a brief rise in blood pressure after cannabis use, other studies find no conclusive link or even a fall in blood pressure. To fully comprehend the connection between cannabis use and blood pressure, more in-depth research is required. Cannabis consumption requires moderation and individual care, just like other substances, especially for people with pre-existing cardiovascular issues. So, they should consume cannabis responsibly and with the advice of a marijuana doctor only.
