Compare the Best CBD for AFib in 2022

How CBD May Help With AFib

Atrial fibrillation, commonly called AFib or A-fib, is an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm, leading to blood clots in the heart. This condition increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related issues⁽¹⁾. 

AFib is a common type of treated heart arrhythmia, a condition in which the heart beats irregularly, either too slow or too fast. 

The heart rate in AFib may range from 100 to 175 beats per minute (BPM)⁽²⁾. Meanwhile, the normal range is 60 to 100 BPM.

Currently, there are no clinical trials on the use of CBD specifically for AFib. However, CBD’s purported therapeutic effects and its activity in the ECS (endocannabinoid system) may elucidate how CBD may help with atrial fibrillation. 

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the multiple active cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. The non-psychoactive compound accounts for up to 40% of the plant’s extract, binding to various physiological targets of the ECS within the body⁽³⁾.

The endocannabinoid system modulates various bodily functions, such as emotional processing, learning and memory, sleep, appetite, inflammatory and immune responses, and pain control⁽⁴⁾.

The ECS comprises cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), and enzymes.

Recent studies have shown that CB2 receptors may have a protective role in cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death each year in Western countries⁽⁵⁾. 

A study from Cardiovascular and Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets mentioned that CB2 receptors may help regulate critical processes in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis⁽⁶⁾. 

Atherosclerosis is a slow and degenerative disease characterized by the buildup of cholesterol, fats, and other substances in the artery walls. 

This illness may start with damage to the inner layer of an artery caused by several factors, including inflammation from certain health conditions like arthritis⁽⁷⁾. 

CB2 receptors are believed to affect the immune cells, possibly influencing CBD-induced anti-inflammatory processes⁽⁸⁾. 

Meanwhile, CB1 receptors found within the pain pathways of the central nervous system may affect CBD-induced analgesia (loss of pain sensation)⁽⁹⁾. 

Heart diseases like AFib are usually associated with chest pain⁽¹⁰⁾. CBD is known to have pain-relieving potential⁽¹¹⁾ and is possibly helpful in chronic pain⁽¹²⁾. 

In addition, studies have shown that CBD may offset the psychiatric side effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)⁽¹³⁾. THC is the principal psychoactive compound of cannabis⁽¹⁴⁾. 

While these findings seem promising, they are context-specific and should not be used indiscriminately. 

In addition, longitudinal research is recommended to determine the effects of CBD on heart problems like AFib and how the compound affects the overall cardiovascular system.       

Benefits of Using CBD for AFib

The American Heart Association estimates that at least 2.7 million Americans live with atrial fibrillation⁽¹⁵⁾. 

Although there is no direct study about the benefits of CBD on AFib, researchers have examined the effect of CBD on cardiovascular health.     

A randomized crossover study from JCI Insight examined CBD’s potential in reducing high blood pressure (hypertension)⁽¹⁶⁾. 

Jadoon and colleagues administered 600mg of CBD or placebo to nine healthy male volunteers. 

Their data showed that a single dose of CBD may reduce resting BP (blood pressure) and BP response to stress, likely reflecting the anti-anxiety and analgesic effects of the compound⁽¹⁷⁾. 

Still, further research is warranted to establish whether cannabidiol has a role in treating cardiovascular disorders. 

Meanwhile, Walsh, Hepburn, and colleagues hypothesized that CBD may be cardioprotective in the acute phase of I/R (ischemia and reperfusion) by potentially attenuating ventricular arrhythmias and reducing infarct size⁽¹⁸⁾.  

Ischemia is a medical condition where the blood flow is restricted in a body part. Meanwhile, reperfusion therapy is used to restore blood flow, either around or through blocked arteries, usually after a heart attack. 

Infarct size is linked to mortality, whereas ventricular arrhythmias refer to abnormal heart rhythms that make the heart’s lower chambers twitch rather than pump. 

The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology study suggested that CBD treatment may help protect against ischemia-reperfusion damage and cardiomyopathy linked to diabetes⁽¹⁹⁾.  

Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle illness that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. 

Meanwhile, an animal study from the journal Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology suggested that CBD may represent a potential protective agent against possible doxorubicin cardiac injury⁽²⁰⁾. 

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapy drug for treating cancer.

Although these studies seem promising, they are primarily inconclusive, and some are even conducted on animals. 

Nevertheless, researchers who want to explore the benefits of CBD on AFib and other cardiovascular disorders may find these results helpful. 

How to Take CBD Oil for AFib

Although CBD seems to affect the cardiovascular system positively⁽²¹⁾, it is not a cure for any heart ailments. 

Still, individuals with heart problems wanting to try CBD can take the compound using the following delivery methods:  

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Sublingual (under the tongue) administration
• Topical absorption 

Remember that each delivery method has its pros and cons. Individuals often use various administration routes to optimize CBD’s therapeutic effect⁽²²⁾. 

For instance, inhaling CBD using vape pens is the fastest method to benefit from the effects of the compound⁽²³⁾. 

The onset time of CBD via the inhalation route is between 2 and 15 minutes, and its effect usually lasts from 2 to 4 hours⁽²⁴⁾. 

However, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) warn people against the use of THC-containing e-cigarettes or any vaping products, mainly from informal sources⁽²⁵⁾. 

Most lung injury cases in the United States are associated with vaping⁽²⁶⁾. 

On the other hand, the sublingual method also provides rapid effects without exposing the lungs to tar and heat⁽²⁷⁾. 

Additionally, the sublingual route lets you avoid dealing with the smell, smoky taste, dry mouth, and other issues such as coughing and throat irritation. 

The capillaries under the tongue and within the mouth absorb CBD into the bloodstream before being swallowed⁽²⁸⁾. The onset time of CBD via the sublingual route is between 15 and 30 minutes, and its effect usually lasts from 2 to 4 hours⁽²⁹⁾.   

CBD Dosage for AFib

The FDA has not endorsed the use of CBD to help treat AFib. Therefore, there is no standard CBD dosage for such a condition. 

However, a study from Current Drug Safety suggested that chronic use and high doses of CBD up to 1,500mg per day may be well tolerated in humans⁽³⁰⁾.  

Those who have AFib usually experience palpitations and chest pain⁽³¹⁾. Mid-range doses between 10mg and 100mg of CBD daily have shown promise in helping with pain⁽³²⁾. 

Still, it is best to talk with a cardiologist versed in cannabis use to determine the accurate dose. 

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With AFib?

How long CBD takes effect to help with AFib usually depends on several factors, including the administration route, individual body weight, the type of CBD, and potency. 

If you take CBD via the inhalation route, you will feel its effect within 2 to 15 minutes⁽³³⁾. However, you should be cautious because vaping or smoking may damage your lungs⁽³⁴⁾. 

Meanwhile, if you choose to take CBD under the tongue, you will feel its effect within 15 to 30 minutes⁽³⁵⁾. 

How Long Will CBD Help With AFib?

After CBD starts to help, how long it will last depends on its bioavailability and half-life.

Bioavailability is the extent to which a particular substance becomes entirely available to its intended biological destinations. 

Meanwhile, half-life refers to the length of time needed for the concentration of a specific drug to decrease by 50% of its starting dose. 

It is believed that 94% to 97% of a substance will have been eliminated after four to five half-lives⁽³⁶⁾.

A 2018 systematic review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology mentioned that CBD’s bioavailability following smoking is 31%, and its half-life is 31 hours⁽³⁷⁾. 

Meanwhile, the bioavailability of CBD via the sublingual route is between 6% and 20%⁽³⁸⁾. Additionally, CBD is reported to have a half-life between 1.4 and 10.9 hours following oromucosal spray⁽³⁹⁾.  

How to Choose the Right CBD for AFib

It is crucial to select high-quality CBD products to ensure optimal effectiveness and overall wellness. Still, with many CBD brands promising the best CBD items to their customers, you may find it challenging to decide which is the right one for you. 

When choosing the best CBD products for AFib, here are some things you need to consider:

1. Learn about the different hemp extracts. A full-spectrum CBD product contains all compounds of the cannabis plant. This CBD variant also has less than 0.3% of THC concentration. 

Meanwhile, broad-spectrum CBD oil also contains all of the natural compounds of cannabis except for THC. Lastly, CBD isolates are made of pure CBD.

2. Ensure that the CBD brand you choose enlists the services of a third-party lab. The best way to check whether a CBD product contains what the brand says it does is to look at the lab test results provided by a third-party laboratory. 

Always check if the lab test results are up-to-date and the information provided matches the claims on the product label. 

3. Research the CBD company. Many CBD brands are dedicated to offering only high-quality CBD products to their customers. Still, make sure to research the CBD company to verify if it is a trusted brand. 

Since most people have different opinions and experiences of a product, understanding the overall impression given by other customers can help you with your decision-making.  

Risk and Side Effects of Using CBD for AFib

Although CBD is relatively safe and well tolerated in humans and animals⁽⁴⁰⁾, the compound may also induce minor side effects, such as⁽⁴¹⁾: 

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue 

CBD may also interact with blood thinners⁽⁴²⁾. Blood thinners are medications that keep blood clots from forming and prevent existing blood clots from getting larger⁽⁴³⁾.  

Blood thinners, such as warfarin, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban, are effective treatments for preventing strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation⁽⁴⁴⁾.  

Your best course of action is to consult your healthcare provider before you use CBD oil or any CBD-derived products simultaneously with blood thinners to help with AFib. 

Legality of CBD

The United States Congress ratified the 2018 Farm Bill, decriminalizing the commercial use of industrial hemp and products obtained from hemp plants⁽⁴⁵⁾.

The bill states that Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3% THC content on a dry weight basis are deemed legal under federal law⁽⁴⁶⁾.

Some states have passed laws allowing the use of recreational and medical marijuana use. 

For instance, in New York, adults 21 years and older can buy up to three ounces or 85 grams of cannabis flower and 24 grams of concentrated cannabis (edibles like CBD gummies, oils, tinctures, and vapes)⁽⁴⁷⁾. 

However, they can only buy cannabis products from a state-licensed dispensary.

You may check government reports and journals located online using a digital object identifier (DOI) to know more about CBD and various state laws. 

Still, even if a specific state law indicates that CBD is legal, the only FDA-approved CBD drug is Epidiolex, used to treat rare and severe forms of epilepsy.