Cardiovascular (CV) disease affects approximately 121.5 million U.S. adults, or nearly half the adult population. The possible benefits of CBD oil for heart health have been explored by more and more researchers in recent years due to the essential oil’s potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
CBD oil that’s produced from the hemp variety of the cannabis plant contains little to no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the compound found in medical marijuana responsible for the “high” some users experience. That’s why it’s generally considered safe and may be effective for daytime use. Here are three potential benefits to using CBD as part of a plan to support your heart health, in combination with a healthy diet and exercise routine.
3 Benefits of CBD for Heart Health
1. CBD and the “Miracle Molecule”
In the late 1990s, scientists won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for revealing how the compound Nitric Oxide (NO) is a key cardiovascular signaling agent. Today, its vital role in regulating heart health is even more well understood, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as the “Miracle Molecule”. A well-balanced level of nitric acid in your system has three main health benefits:
- It decreases your risk of blood clots to reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes
- It lowers your blood pressure
- It reduces plaque build-up to decrease your risk of heart disease
CBD’s Effects on Nitric Oxide Levels
CBD is a signaling compound known as a ‘cannabinoid’ that potentially has activating effects on PPARγ receptors. This is important because stimulation of these receptors increases nitric acid production. In addition, while nitric acid has many benefits to your heart’s health, you can have too much of a good thing, leading to a condition known as “nitrative stress“.
True to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant nature, CBD potentially reduces the ability of NO’s reactive effects to occur in order to possibly help keep nitrative stress in check and may improve your heart health.
2. CBD and Your Good Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance used by your cells for certain health-boosting functions, like vitamin and hormone creation. You may have heard that you have a few different types of cholesterol.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries and increase your risk for heart attacks and strokes. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, on the other hand, is actually good for you because it soaks up excess cholesterol and transports it to your liver where it’s released from your body.
In addition, the body also houses two types of fat: white and “brown”. Brown fat helps you burn calories faster, and people with active brown fat have lower cholesterol levels. CBD may potentially advance this healthy, cholesterol-reducing fat browning process by elevating the expression of key gene markers.
3. CBD and Lowered Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (BP) is a leading risk factor for heart disease and heart attacks because it can lead to plaque buildup, blood clots, and dangerous blockages to the arteries that supply your heart with oxygen.
CBD may be especially useful for supporting lower blood pressure brought on by stress. A 2019 book from the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology series discusses how CBD potentially works to relax vessel walls in order to reduce blood pressure, including through antioxidant actions that counteract unstable chemical reactions.
While this research shows great promise, additional studies are needed to learn more about CBD’s many paths to lowering BP and boosting overall heart health.
Transformative Health for Your Heart
Our compassionate and knowledgeable team of physicians at Transformative Health are here to help guide you to the best CBD products for your particular symptoms and conditions. We’ll also assist you in obtaining a medical cannabis recommendation for your CBD product purchases.
CBD supplements, CBD tinctures, CBD gummies, and other CBD edibles are all great options to choose from to help support your heart health. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of adding CBD into your heart wellness routine.
