Emerging studies have found that ‘wee’- cannabis (CBD) could be used as a natural sleep aid(Suraev et al.2020). The interesting thing is that clinical trials demonstrate that CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) combination could prolong the life of some people with an aggressive form of cancer called glioblastoma-brain tumour(Twelves et al. 2021; Rodriguez-Almaraz and Butowski N. 2023).
Hence, in this article, I explore the science behind cannabis for medicinal use and not recreational use.
Cannabis
Cannabis is the dried preparation, or sticky extract, of the flowers or leaves of the cannabis plant, a member of the hemp family.
The parts of cannabis that are considered important for medical reasons are called cannabinoids. This is the name for the complex chemicals found in cannabis that are responsible for the effect cannabis has on the body. Two cannabinoids are of particular interest:
- THC – delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (responsible for the psycho-active and addictive effects of cannabis)
- CBD – cannabidiol
Cannabis derivatives is a general term for all products that are produced using different parts of the cannabis plant, including:
- cannabis-based medicines that certain healthcare professionals can prescribe (for example, Sativex and Nabilone)
- cannabis products that don’tcontain THC, which can be sold legally in the UK as food supplements (for example CBD oil or hemp oil)
- cannabis products that docontain THC, which are currently illegal in the UK (for example, street cannabis or cannabis oil).
We must understand the difference between cannabis products that contain CBD and cannabis products that don’t contain THC, as they can have different effects and are legally treated differently.
CBD, Lowering blood pressure
A recent study by Vallée, A(2023) found that cannabis has different mechanisms of action in both men and women. Cannabis has a positive effect on women as compared to men.
Another recent study by Dujic et al.(2023) examined the effects of oral CBD on 70 participants with mild to moderate high blood pressure. The placebo-controlled study found that oral ingestion of CBD reduced blood pressure in the study participants with no serious side effects.
A previous study by Abuhasira et al.(2021) concluded that amongst older adults with hypertension, cannabis treatment for 3 months was associated with a reduction in 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure values with a nadir at 3 hours after cannabis administration. This study used a prospective study of patients twenty-six aged 60 years or more with hypertension and a new prescription of cannabis.
Alshaarawy and Elbaz(2016) long study conducted between 2005-2012 showed that marijuana raises blood pressure.
One study by Jadoon et al.(2017) found that CBD lowered the blood pressure of human participants. It reduced their resting blood pressure as well as their blood pressure after stress tests including mental arithmetic, isometric exercise, and the cold pressor test.
Another study by Garza-Cervantes et al.(2020) found that CBD could be useful for those with high blood pressure because it can influence the contractions of the heart muscle and help widen blood vessels.
A case study conducted by Sultan et al.(2020) used 26 healthy men and showed that treatment with 600 milligrams of CBD for 7 days decreased blood pressure significantly as compared with a placebo group. The worrying thing was that after 7 days, there was no effect.
Remiszewski et al.(2020) rat study shows that using CBD does not have any effect on blood pressure. Baranowska-Kuczko et al.(2020) animal study shows that CBD may lower blood pressure in those who are stressed.
Neuroprotective
Years of studies have gone into using CBD to treat epilepsy and other seizure syndromes. A recent study by Morano et al.(2020) showed it can have positive effects in reducing symptoms and seizure frequency.
A recent study by Haddad et al.(2022) found that nabiximols (Sativex) spray that has both CBD and THC could decrease pain and muscle spasticity in people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
A previous study by Devinsky et al.(2017) found that CBD oil decreased seizure activity in children with Dravet syndrome, but it also caused some adverse reactions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)(2020) has approved one CBD product, Epidiolex, for the treatment of several seizure disorders and seizures caused by tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and other body areas. Available here: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-indication-drug-containing-active-ingredient-derived-cannabis-treat-seizures-rare.
A recent study by Chayasirisobhon S(2021) found limited evidence that CBD could be useful in improving the quality of life of other neurological situations, such as:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Motor disorders like cerebral palsy
Averting cancer improves Quality of Life.
Cfah.org revealed the many ways that CBD has been used to help alleviate the effects of chemotherapy. It goes beyond that, for instance, Lukhele et al.(2016) found it can prevent cell growth and induce cell death in cervical cancer cell lines and it has numerous anti-cancer effects(Kis et al.2019) that can help prevent a variety of cancers, treat tumors, and benefit the immune system.
A recent study by O’Brien K(2022)also found that CBD improves the quality of life(QOL) of some cancer-related symptoms and side effects related to cancer treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, and pain.
Side Effects
Though CBD has many health benefits, it also has a drawback. For instance, in one study by Chesney et al.(2020) CBD may trigger diarrhea, changes in appetite and weight, and fatigue in some people.
The review by Chesney et al.(2020) also found the following side effects: abnormal liver function test, drowsiness, sedation, and pneumonia, in childhood with epilepsy.
This notwithstanding, another study by Vázquez et al.(2020) found that the side effects do not emanate from CBD, but interact with other medications, such as clobazam, and various drugs.
One must also choose high-quality CBD products in the marketplace, or buy from products that have been third-party tested for quality and purity.
Are there any cannabis-based drugs available?
Braintumourresearch.org revealed that there is one cannabis-based drug, Sativex, which is manufactured by GW Pharmaceuticals. The drug is licensed for a prescription for the alleviation of spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis and is administered as an oral spray. The main active ingredients of the cannabis plant are called cannabinoids.
There are a number of these compounds, and the two that are contained in Sativex are Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the addictive component of cannabis, in combination with cannabidiol (CBD).
Sativex was rigorously tested for its safety and efficacy before receiving approval and is distinguished from cannabis in its raw form by its specific components. The composition, formulation, and dose have been developed to provide medicinal benefits with minimal psychoactive effects.
Take home
The studies on cannabis and blood pressure are mixed. But one can see that when one is stressed, CBD helps to reduce blood pressure. If it does lead to reduced stress, it may have a positive secondary effect on blood pressure by reducing the stress that is causing blood pressure to rise.
Due to this, smoking marijuana is bad for your heart health, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because marijuana can increase your blood pressure and make your heart beat faster, smoking marijuana can increase the risk of damage to your arteries. This can increase your risk of a stroke, heart attack, or other diseases.
For instance, a study by Stanford University https://www.orlandorecovery.com/drug-addiction-resources/marijuana/high-blood-pressure/ found marijuana increases your risk of a heart attack as they have increases inflammation of the arteries in the heart.
Studies even found that CBD could be used as a natural sleep aid(Suraev et al.2020). even clinical trials demonstrate that CBD and THC combination could prolong the life of some people with an aggressive form of cancer called glioblastoma-brain tumour(Twelves et al. 2021).
Also study by Gonzalez-Cuevas et al.(2018) found that CBD could help improve anxiety and depression in people who are addicted to certain drugs, including heroin.
Is it safe for high blood pressure?
Iffland and Grotenhermen(2017) found that CBD is generally safe. Besides, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledge the potential benefits of CBD, however, more studies are needed.
On the other hand, Rey et al.(2012) study on cannabinoids and anxiety found that some cannabinoids may have a biphasic effect, meaning they produce different effects depending on the dose you take.
A previous study by Malinowska et al.(2011) showed that THC alone or in combination with CBD occasionally increased blood pressure, and sometimes decreased it.
Finally, in a study by Iffland K, Grotenhermen(2017) CBD tends to interact with some medications, including those for hypertension.
NB:
Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups. My articles are for educational purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.
The writer is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, a Medical Journalist, and a science writer. President, Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT)/African Naturopathic Foundation, Ashaiman, Ghana. E. mail: professor40naturopathy@gmail.com. Visit-profnyarkotey.com for more.
By Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu
