The Health benefits associated with cannabis are a cornerstone of the industry. As the market continues expanding every year, more consumers become invested in the healthy side of weed. One trend that continues making headlines is cannabis and high blood pressure.

Hypertension & adverse effects

Hypertension is the medicinal term given to patients who experience high blood pressure. Roughly one out of three adults suffers from Hypertension. This averages to almost 65 million adults nationwide who suffer from Hypertension. High blood pressure imposes excess pressure against the artery walls, creating long-term difficulties such as strokes and even death. Over time, prolonged stress can cause a wide range of problems. Small bulges, called aneurysms, may form in blood vessels. When experiencing Hypertension, the heart can become augmented. Naturally, this increases the danger of premature heart failure. Damage to blood vessels caused by Hypertension in the kidneys can also cause acute kidney failure. Due to the blood vessels in the eyes being smaller than the rest of the body’s blood vessels, the eyes are especially susceptible to damage. This means that Hypertension can lead to long-term vision problems and even total blindness.

More on high blood pressure

Several factors can lead to high blood pressure. The most evident cause of Hypertension is a terrible diet. Things such as too much salt, not enough potassium can increase blood pressure. Additionally, excessive amounts of alcohol have all been found to increase the risk of Hypertension. Stress and a sedentary lifestyle can both increase the danger of developing high blood pressure. Hypertension is also prevalent in patients who are overweight or obese. There is also a biological connection between Hypertension and a family history of high blood pressure. It is also worth noting that more African-Americans (primarily men over the age of 40) are more susceptible to contracting Hypertension. This is likely due to the overindulgence of salty foods.

ECS & Hypertension

The endocannabinoid system, which is often referred to as the ‘ECS,’ is the human body system responsible for the distribution and digestion of cannabis. The endocannabinoid system is also found in many other common mammals and even a few amphibians. The ECS consists of a network of nodes known as receptors designed to react to the many cannabinoids found in everyday cannabis. 

The endocannabinoid system is also responsible for the regulation of many bodily functions. Thanks to a study of cannabis conducted sometime in the mid-1980s, researchers discovered the human body’s endocannabinoid system. The team discovered two types of cannabinoid receptors, respectively known as CB1 and CB2. The former is responsible for the neurological effects brought on by the ingestion of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. The latter is responsible for distributing the effects of CBD throughout the body. The nodes of endocannabinoids that create the framework of the endocannabinoid system are located throughout the entire human body. If Hypertension is caused by cannabis, it would undoubtedly have to interact with the body’s ECS. However, most consumers don’t believe there is a proper correlation between cannabis and high blood pressure.

Final thoughts

a majority consumers believe that the consumption of cannabis has a ripple effect on regulating the body’s blood pressure. When ingesting cannabis, a litany of physiological effects can happen. It is commonly held that cannabis consumption can lower blood pressure. Nevertheless, the paranoia experienced by some cannabis consumers can become the catalyst to increasing blood pressure. More often than not, cannabis will assist in the reduction of inflammation throughout the body. This, in turn, can help regulate blood pressure. This means that there is a more likely chance that cannabis does not cause Hypertension. However, cannabis can assist in alleviating the ailment by assisting with the regulation of blood pressure.