As we mentioned before in our Risks of CBD post, there have been many conversations regarding CBD and heart health – whether it negatively impacts it or can help mitigate symptoms of heart disease and other heart related ailments. Often times, there can be confusion around the impacts of THC and CBD, with effects of the two regularly getting mixed up in conversation. Additionally, due to the more sparse nature of the current CBD research scene and claims from health and wellness companies, it can be hard to filter out real information from inflated talk.

All this is to say, when it comes to your health, it’s important to be both cautious and informed. This is why we wanted to circle back and investigate the current state of the science when it comes to CBD, cannabis, and heart health.

A Question of THC

More often than not, when CBD is being discussed as potentially dangerous or triggering for certain conditions, such as psychosis, this information is linked more closely to our understanding of THC than it is CBD. The same can be said about conversations around heart health.

Currently, there has been an association drawn between cannabis use (THC) and an elevated risk of heart issues. This wide reaching study possibly presents some of the strongest evidence for this connection, finding that cannabis use is associated with heightened levels of heart problems. This other article pushes for caution, reiterating that not enough research has currently been done to be able to determine the effects of both THC and CBD on the heart. While they also say that research has drawn associations between cannabis use and heart problems, the article itself does not source these studies. Additionally, in another article by Harvard, they discuss a connection between cannabis use and the risk of a heart attack. More specifically, THC is linked with an increase in heartrate. They recommend caution and conversations with your doctor if you’re considering using cannabis and are at risk for heart issues. It’s also possible that due to medication interactions, cannabis can elevate or exasperate heart issues for those mixing cannabis and other substances.

While a strong link may have been created between THC use and heart problems, correlation does not always mean causation. Ultimately, the nature of the cannabis / heart issue connection remains somewhat unclear until more research is done.

CBD and the Heart – The State of the Science

Alternatively, CBD is being more regularly studied for any potential heart health benefits it may have, including being able to slow down the progression of heart disease or mitigate stroke symptoms.

This study conducted with rats, as well as this one conducted with humans, found that CBD may have the potential to help lower blood pressure. However, this review of CBD and blood pressure research found that CBD appears to be more effective when blood pressure was being elevated by stress and much less effective under normal circumstances.

When it comes to strokes, the research is just as ambiguous. This study, while emphasizing the lack of side effects associated with CBD, as well as the fact that it’s challenging to build CBD tolerance, finds that CBD may have the potential to help repair or mitigate cerebral damage associated with ischemic strokes.

There’s also been some research to suggest that CBD may have potential as an anti-arrhythmic. Arrhythmic is when the heart beats irregularly, which can range from harmless to life-threatening.

CBD may also have the potential to help mitigate things such as inflammation due to the way it interacts with our body’s endocannabinoid system. Inflammation is often associated with heart disease. It’s partially due to this anti-inflammatory effect that some research has shown that CBD may have the potential to help support our vascular health, in particular, mitigating or slowing the buildup of plaque in our arteries.

It’s also important to keep in mind, however, that the amounts and types of CBD being used in these trials are not necessarily available in your local cannabis shop. Additionally, many of these studies are either preclinical or conducted with animals. Due to this, a lot more research, including clinical trials, needs to be done before we can say anything definitive when it comes to CBD, cannabis, and the heart.

Full Spectrum

Although the research is still new and we don’t know enough to say anything for certain yet, CBD may have the potential to influence how THC impacts our bodies. This is particularly important in the case of Full Spectrum CBD and how the included THC content may impact heart disease. We’re hoping that in the future we know more about CBD, THC, and how they interact, especially when it comes to issues like heart health where THC may have more negative health qualities while CBD may be more beneficial.

Notes about Medication Interactions

While there has been some research to suggest CBD may be a potential treatment for heart issues, we don’t know enough to say anything for certain. This is particularly true when it comes to folks who are already suffering from heart concerns or are possibly taking medications for pre-existing heart conditions. Due to the way CBD interacts with certain medications, it may impact how heart medications are metabolised by our bodies. Due to this interaction, it’s possible that CBD may be able to exasperate or amplify pre-existing heart conditions. It’s always important to check in with your doctor first, especially if you’re considering mixing substances.

TL;DR

Unfortunately, the research we have into the impacts of CBD and THC on our heart health is still in its beginning stages. While we’re looking forward to have a stronger understanding in the future, we do know that it’s important to check in with your doctor and exercise caution when using CBD with a pre-existing heart condition, especially if you’re taking heart medications.