Yes, there is some evidence to suggest that CBD may help lower blood pressure.
Doctors may prescribe medications for people with high blood pressure. If an individual is taking blood pressure medications and uses CBD products, it is important for them to inform a doctor.
What does the research say?
Some research studies indicate that products containing CBD may help with lowering blood pressure.
A 2020 study found that CBD may have vasodilatory effects in human and rat arteries. The authors suggest that CBD may improve a person’s blood flow, as it widens their blood vessels.
Additionally, a 2017 studyTrusted Source looked at the effects of a single dose of CBD oil in healthy participants. The authors found that it lowered blood pressure in individuals who were at rest and those under stress.
According to the American Institute of Stress, stress may cause blood pressure to rise. This is due to the heart pumping faster and stress hormones constricting the blood vessels.
However, researchers need to conduct more studies to determine the effect of CBD on cardiovascular conditions.
Risks of CBD
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source states that there may be some potential risks when using CBD products. These may include:
interactions with other medications
drowsiness or sedation, if the individual is taking medications that treat anxiety, stress, or sleep disorders
an increased risk of diarrhea and loss of appetite
mood changes, such as irritability and agitation
liver injury
low blood pressure
A 2017 research studyTrusted Source found that taking CBD with antihypertensive medications may change the blood concentration of either substance. If an individual uses CBD and blood pressure medications, it is important for them to inform a doctor.
CBD and pregnancy
The FDATrusted Source does not recommend using CBD products during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
There is not enough research into how CBD may affect a developing fetus. There is some evidenceTrusted Source, however, to suggest that high doses of CBD in pregnant test animals may affect a male fetus’s reproductive system.
That said, one 2021 study investigating the effects of CBD in pregnant mice found that daily doses of CBD were unlikely to accumulate in the mice and their fetuses.
There needs to be more research to investigate the potential risks of CBD use during pregnancy.
CBD products for blood pressure
CBD products that may suit people with hypertension come in oils, gummies, tinctures or drops, and capsules. They can either be full-spectrum or broad-spectrum.
Full-spectrum products consist of naturally occurring cannabis plant extracts and up to 0.3% THCTrusted Source. Broad-spectrum CBD products have several cannabis plant compounds, but they are free of THC. However, sometimes, these may still contain traces of THC.
It is important to check a product’s label before making a purchase. Some products may contain up to 0.3% THC.