CBD For Blood Pressure: Does It Work? (2024)

Very little research into CBD’s potential effect on blood pressure exists. Because of this, Sunny Intwala, M.D., a cardiologist with Nuvance Health in Poughkeepsie, New York, says he doesn’t recommend it as a tool to lower blood pressure. Until more research is done, Dr. Intwala says he can’t recommend using it for blood pressure control.

While the jury is still out on CBD and blood pressure, Dr. Intwala says that there is robust scientific research about other blood pressure lowering tools, including eating heart-healthy foods, regular exercise, meditation and, when appropriate, prescription medication. These, he says, are the blood pressure lowering approaches he feels confident in recommending instead of CBD.

Robert Page II, PharmD, professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and clinical specialist in the division of cardiology at the University of Colorado Health System, says he gets asked about CBD for heart health several times a week. Though he does say CBD can be beneficial for health in other ways, he echoes Dr. Intwala, saying that there isn’t enough scientific evidence showing that CBD benefits blood pressure.

Dr. Page says he can understand why individuals may think CBD can help lower blood pressure. “The thought behind [CBD for] cardiovascular benefit is that CBD receptors bind to immune cells, leading to an anti-inflammatory effect on blood vessels,” he says. However, more scientific evidence is needed to prove or disprove this theory, and this is only one potential mechanism researchers may explore.

Both Dr. Intwala and Dr. Page add that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which are drugs that block the body’s production of the hormone angiotensin II (which constricts blood vessels) also have robust scientific research showing their ability to safely lower blood pressure.

While Dr. Intwala and Dr. Page each take a strong stance against using CBD to lower blood pressure, some health care providers believe the opposite is true.

Some studies show that resting blood pressure is lower after subjects take CBD and that CBD may inhibit the potential effect of stress causing higher blood pressure levels, says Chiti Parikh, M.D., executive director of the Integrative Health and Wellbeing Center at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian. Dr. Parikh mentions a small study of nine people conducted by The American Society for Clinical Investigation in which nine healthy men were either given 600 milligrams of CBD or a placebo before undergoing a mental stress test. Researchers measured their blood pressure before and after, using a finometer (which measures finger blood pressure through heart rate) and a laser doppler (an imaging machine that is also used to measure blood pressure). The men who took the CBD had lower blood pressure than those who took the placebo, especially right after taking the stress test^[2]Jadoon KA, Tan GD and O’Sullivan S. A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. JCI Insight. 2017;2(12):e93760. .

CBD may help lower blood pressure because it may alleviate symptoms of anxiety, which can raise blood pressure, says Dr. Parikh. “CBD binds to certain receptors in the brain and arteries that cause them to relax, thus [potentially] lowering blood pressure,” she explains. However, more research into this potential effect is necessary.

Experts agree that using CBD to lower blood pressure may come with some risks and/or side effects. “Unlike medications that come in [prescribed] dosages, we still don’t know what dose of CBD has what type of an impact on someone’s blood pressure,” says Dr. Parikah.

What’s more, CBD may interfere with other medications, says Dr. Page. “People who are 65 or older take an average of four to five medications daily. If someone has heart failure, they take an average of six to 10 [medications every day]. So whatever [drug or supplement] you add on top of that has a chance of [causing] an interaction,” he adds.

Dr. Page also emphasizes the lack of regulation around CBD products, which poses a challenge when it comes to knowing the exact potency and quality of the product you may be taking.

Some people experience negative side effects from CBD. This can include fatigue, diarrhea, change in appetite or weight, and changes in mood.

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services

30% Off All Products With Code FORBES

Cornbread Hemp Full Spectrum CBD Gummies

• Gummies include up to 50mg of CBD and 2mg of THC per serving
• Works to provide natural support for exercise recovery
• Formulated to help you manage everyday stress
• USDA organic, vegan and gluten-free
• Available in 3 flavors: Berry, Peach, and Watermelon

Shop Now

On Cornbread's Website

If you have specific questions about using CBD for blood pressure, experts recommend talking to a cardiologist or primary health care provider who can discuss any potential risks, as well as recommend other actions to take that may be more beneficial, such as dietary and lifestyle changes. When you meet with your provider, explain to them why you’re considering using CBD for blood pressure so they can give you personalized advice, says Dr. Page.