Cardiovascular Effects from Cannabis

Cardiovascular Effects from Cannabis

Studies have shown that marijuana in humans can increase heart rate and blood pressure moderately with first initial use. With regular use of cannabis these initial cardiovascular effects rapidly go away. Regular exposure to cannabis shows results of reduced blood pressure, reduced heart rate and increased vasodilation.(Source) Lowered heart rate and blood pressure is also seen in animals studies with cannabis.(Source)

Cannabinoids affect a group of lipids and receptors that control the endocannabinoid system. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid messenger molecule that helps control the heart rate and blood pressure. One way it effects the cardiovascular system is by vasodilation, or enlarging the blood vessels. Vasodilation occurs from a relaxation of artery walls to allow a larger volume of blood flow.(Source)

Dr. Phillip Leveque leads a medical marijuana doctor group with over 100,000 patients. They have found the increase in heart rate and blood pressure to be low and tolerable. In their group they have no reports of dangerous clinical hypertension. For his personal patients they average an age of 48 and have a lower percentile of hypertension than most people of that age not using marijuana.(Source) The first use of cannabis has shown to be safe for patients but still advised to be recommended by a doctor.(Source)

Source:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11106789

http://norml.org/library/item/hypertension

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/110/14/1996.full

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.1552-4604.2002.tb06004.x/abstract

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/march142010/hypension-mmj.php

Cannabis as a Treatment for Diabetes

Diabetics can have many reasons to use cannabis as a way to reduce diabetes related problems. Here is a bullet point list of the problems that diabetics face and how marijuana can help from letfreedomgrow.com:

• Increases Blood Flow to Extremities - Cannabis inhibits the overproduction of prostoglandins, a hormone that dilates and constricts blood flow. Cannabis is a vasodialator that helps blood flow. Marijuana is a powerful antioxidant which helps decrease free radical damage and helps inflammation. For these reasons it allows cannabis to be a great treatment for arterial inflammation, common in diabetics. Topical creams on the extremities can help with instant relief.


• Over Time Reduces Blood Pressure – This is in conjunction with the previous from being a vasodialator. If cooking butter and oil is replaced with Cannabis oil and butter, the saturated fats from the old method of cooking will be eliminated and replaced with essential fatty acids.


• Muscle Cramps and Gastro Intestinal Upset – Many diabetics have these symptoms which are helped by cannabis for its ability to be neuroprotective. Cannabis helps the nerve covering from inflammation. Cannibidiol form of cannabis is best known for counteracting spasms.


• Blood Sugar Levels - One problem with research on cannabis is the criminalization of the drug that inhibits proper research to find if a treatment is conclusive or not. Sugar level may be regulated through cannabis from a reduction in Catecholamines. This is a hormone from the adrenal gland that produces epinephrine ( adrenalin ), norepinephrine and dopamine from emotional stress. Cannabis cookies can be used if in moderation to help control blood sugar levels.


• Restless Leg Syndrome RLS – Many diabetics suffer from restless leg syndrome and the cramping of the muscles that may be a result from the nervous system can be reduced by Cannabis in the way it controls the prostoglandins to relax muscles and it's neuroprotective properties. Using a nightime vapor or smoking before sleeping can reduce the symptoms, with the strains of Oregon 90, Lemon Haze, and White Berry being the best.

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

Source:
http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/cmu/diabetes_5.htm