Compare the Best CBD for Atherosclerosis in 2022

How CBD May Help With Atherosclerosis

Cannabidiol or CBD is a cannabis plant extract shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, antioxidant, and antianxiety (anxiolytic) properties⁽¹⁾.

High blood pressure or hypertension can cause atherosclerosis⁽²⁾. Studies show that CBD oil may decrease the cardiovascular system’s response to stress, which may also help in reducing blood pressure⁽³⁾.

CBD stimulates the cannabinoid receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)⁽⁴⁾. The ECS plays a role in modulating the brain’s neurotransmitters and regulating the body’s pain and inflammatory responses.

The cannabinoid receptors prevent excessive neuronal activity by modulating the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Decreasing the brain’s neuronal activity may help reduce anxiety and depression⁽⁵⁾. These adverse signs are considered risk factors for high blood pressure⁽⁶⁾.

A 2020 animal study mentioned that cannabis administration with high levels of THC may help manage the symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD can be caused by a high fat or cholesterol diet⁽⁷⁾.

High cholesterol is another cause for atherosclerosis risk⁽⁸⁾.

The 2020 study was performed on mice fed with a high-cholesterol diet. Additional research is needed to determine CBD’s beneficial effects on cholesterol levels in humans.

CBD may also help manage obesity by interacting with the CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the ECS. CB2 receptors may provide anti-obesity benefits by limiting inflammation and weight gain⁽⁹⁾. Obesity is among the risk factors of atherosclerosis⁽¹⁰⁾.

CBD may also help relieve inflammation caused by chronic kidney disease and diabetes⁽¹¹⁾. These diseases can increase high blood pressure complications.

Benefits and Uses of CBD for Atherosclerosis

A study in Future Medicinal Chemistry mentioned that CBD may provide anti-inflammatory benefits⁽¹²⁾.

Inflammation is associated with elevated blood pressure levels⁽¹³⁾. Lowering inflammation may also help relieve high blood pressure.

In a crossover study published in 2017, researchers noted that a single 600mg dose of CBD in capsule form may help reduce blood pressure⁽¹⁴⁾.

Another study showed that CBD may interact with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) receptors⁽¹⁵⁾. The PPAR-gamma receptor plays a role in regulating glucose metabolism and fatty acid storage.

Gastroenterologists may view this interaction as an opportunity for further research on CBD’s therapeutic potential to help with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD can damage the arteries and is one of the causes of atherosclerosis⁽¹⁶⁾.

What Is the CBD Dosage for Atherosclerosis?

There is currently no specific dosage for atherosclerosis endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One suggestion is to take lower doses initially, especially for consumers taking CBD for the first time⁽¹⁷⁾.

A study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in 2017 mentioned that humans may tolerate high doses of CBD up to 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day⁽¹⁸⁾.

Another study in 2020 stated that CBD doses and formulations may vary across clinical trials and observations involving patients with various symptoms⁽¹⁹⁾.

Without a standard CBD dosage guide, individual intake may vary. Your dosage may be influenced by health conditions, stress levels, genetics, diet, and exercise⁽²⁰⁾.

How to Take CBD Oil for Atherosclerosis

There are various administration methods to deliver CBD oil, such as the following:

• Oral administration: Taking CBD by oral ingestion allows the drug to pass through the gastrointestinal tract before CBD enters the bloodstream.

Some oral CBD products include edibles like gummies, candies, and chews. Capsules and softgels are also taken orally.

• Sublingual administration: Sublingual delivery is a method to let CBD directly enter the bloodstream by bypassing the digestive tract.

CBD tinctures are usually applied sublingually or under the tongue using droppers or oromucosal sprays.

• Topical application: Topical CBD products are typically used for localized pain relief by applying it to the skin⁽²¹⁾. Some topical products include creams, ointments, balms, and lotions.
• Inhalation method: CBD may be vaporized and inhaled using vapes as a delivery route. Vaping has short onset times and is a quick way to administer CBD into the body⁽²²⁾.

However, various reports indicate that vaping has potential health risks leading to lung disease⁽²³⁾. Thus, caution is advised when deciding to use vapes to take CBD.

Presently, the FDA does not endorse CBD oil as a treatment for atherosclerosis. If you experience symptoms of atherosclerosis or any issues indicative of cardiovascular disease, schedule an appointment with a doctor first.

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Atherosclerosis?

Onset times for CBD products may vary depending on the product type, dosage, administration method, intake frequency, and individual health condition. 

CBD products administered through oral ingestion, like capsules and edibles, may take about 30 to 90 minutes to take effect⁽²⁴⁾.

Tinctures and high-potency CBD oil delivered sublingually may take effect in about 15 to 30 minutes⁽²⁵⁾. CBD bypasses the digestive tract and directly enters the bloodstream under the tongue, allowing faster absorption.

Transdermal gels and patches take about 15 to 30 minutes to become effective. Similarly, the onset time for topicals is around 15 to 30 minutes⁽²⁶⁾.

Topicals typically have zero bioavailability, meaning they do not get absorbed into the bloodstream.

Meanwhile, CBD inhaled through vapes has an onset time of around 2 to 15 minutes⁽²⁷⁾. This fast-working effect makes vaping CBD one of the fastest methods to deliver the compound to the system.

However, caution is advised when using vapes to administer CBD. Reports show that some users develop lung disease through vaping, primarily due to allergic or immune system reactions from various substances or chemicals in the inhaled vapors⁽²⁸⁾.

How Long Will CBD Help With Atherosclerosis?

A review published in the journal Frontiers of Pharmacology in 2018 mentioned that the half-life of CBD oromucosal sprays administered at 5mg to 20mg doses is 1.4 hours and 10.9 hours, respectively⁽²⁹⁾.

Half-life, which is influenced by the route of administration and dosage, is the time it takes for a drug’s quantity or concentration in the body to be lowered by 50%.

In the same review, it was shown that CBD delivered through chronic oral administration using an oromucosal spray may have a half-life of two to five days⁽³⁰⁾.

Edibles and capsules may remain effective for about six to eight hours. For CBD oil tinctures, their effects may last for two to four hours⁽³¹⁾.

In the case of vapes, their duration is about two or three hours. This short period may be applicable for acute conditions⁽³²⁾.

Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for Atherosclerosis

Side effects of CBD include diarrhea, fatigue, dry mouth, drowsiness, and loss of appetite⁽³³⁾.

CBD products may contain a grapefruit warning, meaning CBD may interfere with the effects of other medications. This interference prevents the drugs from breaking down and getting absorbed by the body.

For example, CBD taken with nifedipine (Adalat CC and Procardia), a blood pressure medication, may cause more side effects to the body⁽³⁴⁾.

Most CBD products come with a grapefruit warning, which means, like grapefruit juice, CBD may interact with common medications.

Grapefruit juice blocks the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity. The CYP3A4 enzymes, found in the liver and intestines, help break down drugs⁽³⁵⁾.

The severity of the effects caused by the interaction between grapefruit and drugs can vary based on the drug’s composition, an individual’s health condition, and amount of grapefruit juice consumed⁽³⁶⁾.

Tips in Choosing the Best CBD Oil for Atherosclerosis

When choosing the right CBD oil to help manage atherosclerosis, consider the extraction methods, CBD product categories, and lab test results.

Manufacturers extract CBD oil from the Cannabis sativa plant using carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbon, or ethanol extraction methods. Once extracted, CBD oil is categorized as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolates.

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains THC and other cannabinoids and compounds in the hemp plant, including terpenes and flavonoids.

Terpenes are known for their aromatic properties, while flavonoids are phytonutrients (plant chemicals) with antioxidative effects.

Combining these compounds may enhance the purported health benefits of cannabis and promote wellness⁽³⁷⁾.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains similar compounds found in full-spectrum CBD oil except for THC. If you prefer CBD without THC’s psychoactive effects, consider broad-spectrum CBD as a viable option.

CBD isolates contain pure CBD only. No other cannabis compounds are included in this product, and, like broad-spectrum, it does not contain THC.

Reputable CBD companies marketing high-quality CBD oil usually provide certificates of analysis (COA) to be transparent with their CBD products. COAs are third-party lab results showing the product’s actual CBD content.

Third-party labs also test CBD products for contaminants, such as heavy metals or pesticides, that may harm consumers. Transparent CBD brands usually upload the COAs on their website, making the test results available to the public.

Additionally, there may be some legal limitations regarding the use of CBD or medical cannabis in your area. Review your state’s laws to determine the legality of CBD in your place.

Some states, such as Colorado, California, New York, and Washington, have medical cannabis programs that may allow you to have better and legal access to CBD products⁽³⁸⁾.

Legality of CBD

Epidiolex is currently the only FDA-approved CBD-based treatment. The drug is used for seizures associated with epilepsy⁽³⁹⁾.

After the Farm Bill was enacted in 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) removed hemp-based CBD products from their list of controlled substances. The law also legalized industrial hemp cultivation.

However, marijuana-based CBD products containing more than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) remain illegal under federal law⁽⁴⁰⁾.

Check your state’s laws and the CBD product’s THC content to determine whether your product is legal to use.

What Is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis occurs when fats, cholesterol, and other substances build up along your artery walls. The plaque formed by this buildup narrows the blood vessels and can cause blood flow blockage.

Progression of atherosclerosis may start with damage to the artery’s inner layer. The damage can be caused by the following⁽⁴¹⁾:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• High triglyceride (a type of fat) level in the blood
• Smoking
• Inflammatory diseases like arthritis, psoriasis, or IBD
• Diabetes, obesity, or insulin resistance

Individuals with atherosclerosis may experience complications such as⁽⁴²⁾:

• Coronary heart disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Carotid artery disease
• Aneurysm
• Chronic kidney disease

If atherosclerosis occurs in the heart arteries, you may experience angina (chest pains or pressure). 

Atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to the brain may cause speech difficulties, temporary vision loss, or drooping facial muscles.

Available treatment options for atherosclerosis include statins, blood thinners, and blood pressure medications⁽⁴³⁾.

Doctors may also recommend alternative remedies like calcium, fish oil, garlic,  barley, and green tea to help reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

If you are experiencing mild symptoms like chest pains, numbness in the legs, or inadequate blood flow, visit your doctor immediately. 

Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent atherosclerosis from causing stroke or heart attack complications.