7 Ways CBD Oil Benefits Heart, Dosage & How to Use [Research Backed]

CBD oil is a non-psychoactive component derived from the Cannabis plant.

It is named so because CBD oil is rich in a phytochemical called cannabinoids.

CBD oil is non-psychoactive, which means that it lacks the ability to alter senses in the way cannabis usually does and therefore does not produce any ‘high’.

CBD oil has been found to have several beneficial biological effects on the body. It has been found to mitigate symptoms and discomfort in cases of seizures, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, chronic stress, etc.

Heart Diseases

Heart diseases have always accounted for a large number of deaths all around the globe. The heart is a major organ with many important roles to play in our body.

Cardiovascular diseases account for nearly 31% or more of all deaths in the world.

Therefore it is of grave importance to maintain the heart in its best condition and free from diseases.

A heart can suffer from many ailments including coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, valve diseases, etc.

Maintaining physical activity, having a well-balanced diet and incorporation of certain herbal regimes, etc. can help protect the heart from many of these ailments.

Benefits of CBD Oil for Heart

CBD oil could protect the heart from various diseases because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-hypertensive, stress alleviating, cardio-protectant, vaso-relaxant and vascular stabilizing properties. It also helps protect the arteries from various kinds of damage and improves blood circulation.

1. CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation and oxidative stress is responsible for amplifying and indirectly causing many cardiovascular ailments. Inflammation is common in heart stroke patients. Arterial inflammation is a major cause of heart attack.

Chronic inflammation as a response to toxins like smoke, pollutants, bad cholesterol, etc. can cause harm to the heart and the rest of the vascular system. Inflammation in arteries also enhances atherosclerosis, which can eventually result in heart attack and strokes.

C reactive protein, a marker of inflammation is found to be higher in men with an increased risk of heart attack. Lowering inflammation can thus help reduce the risk of heart attack and also prevent more complications in heart patients.

CBD possesses significant anti-inflammatory properties. Many studies have proven that cannabidiol can effectively reduce inflammation, both chronic and acute.

This can be attributed to the fact that cannabidiol inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory mediators like tumor necrosis factor-alpha among many others.

Studies have also shown that cannabidiol exerts its anti-inflammatory activity by via effect on the adenosine signaling. The inhibition of adenosine transporter to promote adenosine receptor signaling plays a role in the anti-inflammatory property of the substance.

It has also been shown in studies that cannabidiol suppresses the NF-κB signalling pathway and therefore prevents inflammation. Cannabidiol has been found to be useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis suggesting its inherent anti-inflammatory property.

Summary

Inflammation is a major cause of many diseases including heart ailments. It increases the risk of strokes. CBD oil can effectively reduce inflammation and thus help prevent inflammation based heart and vascular damage.

2. CBD oil has anti-oxidant properties

Oxidative stress contributes to a myriad of diseases and the same is true for heart diseases.

Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), free radicals, etc. can cause serious damage to heart cells and result in cardiac and vascular abnormalities.

It has been found that anti-oxidant therapy has beneficial effects in hypertension, atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies and congestive heart failure.

Oxidized lipoproteins can bind to platelets and cause atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress also contributes to heart failure tremendously.

Cannabidiol exhibits tremendous anti-oxidant properties. The anti-oxidant property makes it suitable for alleviating problems associated with diseases like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, etc.

CBD oil has been found to help reduce tumour growth in cancer owing to its anti-oxidant properties.

Cannabidiol can remove harmful species of free radicals from the body thus protecting from oxidative stress.

CBD can neutralize many other potent oxidizing species such as reactive oxygen species (ROS).

A study showed that CBD could prevent intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibits lipid peroxidation during oxygen–glucose-deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R).

It was also shown to reverse the abnormal changes in the anti-oxidant biomarkers.

CBD is known to reduce the levels of nitrates in the body that are known to cause oxidative damage.

The anti-oxidant activity of CBD has been stated to be greater than that of vitamin C and vitamin E.

Summary

Oxidative stress can cause a lot of damage to a major organ like the heart, which is involved in pumping blood that carries oxygen. CBD oil, owing to its antioxidant properties, could help protect the heart from such oxidative stress and damage.

3. CBD oil has cardio-protective properties

Inadequate or reduce oxygen supply to the heart can result in arrhythmias termed as ischemia-induced arrhythmias.

The lack of oxygen also results in the death of tissue leading to infarcts. It is important to prevent arrhythmias and reduce the infarct size in order to preserve the heart tissue.

A study performed in rat models showed that administration of cannabidiol could reduce the number of ischemia-induced ventricular arrhythmias.

It was also observed that CBD could reduce the size of tissue undergoing death (infarct size) due to lack of oxygen supply.

The study concluded that cannabidiol had cardio-protective properties when given in the acute phase of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R).

This could be attributed to the inhibitory effect of cannabidiol on platelet activation.

Another study showed that CBD administration could reduce the infarct size by nearly 66%. It was also seen that the infarcts in treated animals were associated with reduced levels of interleukin-6 and inflammation.

The study concluded that CBD could be used as a treatment for myocardial ischemia.

Cannabidiol also effects the adenosine signaling. These receptors are known to be involved in providing protection against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced ventricular arrhythmias.

A study showed that cannabidiol not only reduced the length of arrhythmia but also improved the arrhythmia score. Therefore it can be concluded that CBD might be involved in reducing the arrhythmia via the adenosine signaling pathway.

CBD also helps regulate the cardiovascular response to stress and results in a reduced restraint stress-induced cardiovascular response in rat models.

Studies have shown that use of CBD reduces cardiac dysfunction in diabetic mice models.

There were decreased myocardial inflammation, lesser fibrosis and reduced oxidative stress.

Summary

Ischemia can cause damage to the heart issue and result in arrhythmia and death. Cannabidiol has been shown to prevent ischemia-induced ventricular arrhythmias and reduce the size of dead tissue.

4. CBD oil helps lower blood pressure

Excess strain and pressure in the arteries due to high blood pressure often results in the buildup of plaques in arteries called atherosclerosis. This sort of blockage eventually results in heart attacks/myocardial infarction.

High blood pressure can also result in ischemic heart diseases. This is usually because the heart is not receiving enough oxygen.

In patients with high blood pressure, hypertensive heart diseases are a major cause of death. High blood pressure can also cause left ventricular hypertrophy, which causes less effective heart relaxation between beats.

Ensuring a well-maintained blood pressure is essential to prevent several diseases and discomforts including heart ailments.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial study showed that single dose of CBD to healthy volunteers could effectively bring down blood pressure. CBD was shown to reduce resting BP as well as increased BP due to stress.

Summary

Hypertension (high blood pressure) can increase the risk of several diseases including heart ailments. Therefore it is important to maintain optimum blood pressure. CBD has been shown to be capable of reducing blood pressure in normal conditions and heart rate after a stress period.

5. CBD oil maintains arterial health

Arteries are a main component of the vascular system. Arterial health is of prime importance to ensure the good and optimal functioning of the heart. Arterial plaques (atherosclerosis) contribute to heart attacks and strokes.

Inflammation of arteries, their constriction, high pressure, etc. can cause a lot of damage to the whole cardiovascular system. CBD can help reduce arterial inflammation.

It also exhibits vasorelaxing properties. By relaxing the walls of the artery it prevents unnecessary pressure buildup that can cause damage.

CBD also prevents the plaque buildup in the arteries. This reduces the risk and progression of many major cardiac diseases like strokes as plaque makes the process of blood pumping and flow difficult.

High glucose levels in serum cause endothelial dysfunction and damage in the patients.

High glucose can prevent the action of vaso-relaxant and enhance the effect of vaso-constrictors. There is also superoxide production in presence of high glucose causing oxidative damage.

It has been observed that CBD can alleviate these damages caused by high glucose levels.

CBD prevented vascular hyperpermeability, inflammation, etc. in these diabetic animal models. CBD was also observed to enhance the vaso-relaxant response in the artery

It has also been observed that CBD has a positive influence on the blood cell function. It prevents abnormal platelet aggregation.

It also saves the lymphoblastoid cells from death by anti-oxidant mechanisms. Its influence on blood cell survival and mobility could help influence the delay/prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Summary

Maintaining a good arterial health is important to ensure optimum functioning of the heart. CBD has been shown to improve arterial functioning by preventing plaque buildup, having a vaso-relaxant effect, protecting against the side effects of diabetes, etc.

6. CBD oil reduces stress and anxiety

Chronic stress and anxiety expose the body to increased levels of stress hormone such as cortisol and adrenaline. Stress also has an effect on blood clotting and thus it might contribute to heart attack.

A study showed that depression, social isolation, etc. could result in coronary heart diseases. Psychosocial factors affecting heart condition is comparable to the effect of hypertension and smoking.

Coronary heart disease risk is related to the severity of depression as well. Acute stressor events can also result in higher risk of coronary heart diseases.

CBD has been known to have an anxiolytic effect on the body. It reduces stress and acts as an anti-depressant as well.

It also helps maintain quality sleep, which is important for the optimum well being of all the body organs including the heart.

Studies conducted in rat models of anxiety and stress have shown that treatment with CBD oil for 21 days could alleviate stress and other symptoms.

CBD is helpful in cases of social anxiety as well which could help with the social aspect of psychosocial risk for coronary heart diseases.

Long-term stress caused by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can also be taken care of with CBD oil use. CBD influences the activity of neurons in such a way that the anxiety and hyperactivity are reduced.

A randomized controlled trial showed that volunteers who took CBD showed lower heart rates during the post-stress period. The volunteers who received CBD dose also showed reduced blood flow in the forearm during the post mental stress period.

Summary

Stress, anxiety and depression are psychosocial risk factors for coronary heart diseases. Use of CBD oil has been shown to be useful in mitigating symptoms of stress, anxiety, etc. This could potentially help reduce the risk associated with such factors.

The dosage of CBD Oil for Heart

As such, there is no particular dosage of CBD oil for heart disorders.

But we have used the quantities mentioned in the research studies where it was found to be beneficial for the heart. This can provide some guidance for the dosage.

The study conducted to assess the effect of CBD oil on blood pressure used 600mg of CBD oil, which resulted in considerable effect. Therefore it can be concluded that 600mg or more of CBD oil can be safely consumed.

It is recommended that users start with a lower dosage and gradually increase it in order to allow the body to adjust to CBD.

CBD oil can directly be dropped on the tongue, swirled in the mouth and consumed. There are capsules available for oral consumption. The exact dose will vary based on the individual’s condition.

600-700 mg of CBD has also been at given for cases of anxiety and stress producing significant plasma levels.

It has been however reported that dose as high as 1500mg/day can be tolerated by humans without producing potent side effects.

Precaution

Studies have assessed CBD oil for side effects and it has been suggested to very few side effects such as dry mouth, low BP, drowsiness, faintness, etc.

CBD oil should be avoided by the patients of Parkinson’s disease as it can worsen the tremors.

After consumption of CBD oil, activities such as driving should be avoided for a little while.

Users should always make sure that they are consuming only high-quality CBD oil, which is free from adulterates and contaminants.

CBD oil should be consumed by pregnant and breastfeeding women only on doctor’s recommendation.

In order to avoid side effects, each person should consult the doctor before starting the use of CBD oil.

Bottomline

Herbal therapy regimes are fast becoming a part of people’s lives for prevention and treatment of many ailments.

CBD oil is one such substance with many potential uses.

It has found to be useful in several chronic conditions including seizures, cancer, etc.

It has also been found to have potent beneficial properties in preventing and mitigating heart diseases including ischemia, coronary heart disorders, strokes, etc.

It also helps mitigate stress and depression, which in turn can reduce the risk of heart diseases. CBD oil of high quality and purity obtained from good sources can be used in both children and adults.

It is important to consult healthcare providers before starting the use of CBD oil as it can show certain drug interactions, side effects, etc.

Regular and appropriate use of CBD oil can have several beneficial effects with few side effects.