I want to start this post by reiterating that Older Stoners does not dispense (or pretend to dispense) medical guidance. The below info comes from readily available research on the web.
If you are a senior and an older stoner who is on the path to discovering opportunities to remain as healthy as possible, then the notion that THC may favorably impact blood pressure could be interesting.
Marijuana contains two primary compounds: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects, while CBD is known for its non-psychoactive therapeutic benefits.
There is varying research on the degree to which THC can lower blood pressure. According to Straincares, it seems as though indica strains are the way to go, which intuitively would make sense. They suggest the following:
- Ice Cream Cake
- Northern Lights
- Pennywise
- Purple Kush
Marijuana Times does a nice job of explaining the ways that traditional medicine tackles high blood pressure and the alternatives using cannabis.
According to CBD Nationwide, Limonene, linalool, and pinene are terpenes that have the potential to assist with keeping blood pressure in check.
The National Institute of Health has weighed in on this as well:
“Endocannabinoids play important roles in a variety of pathophysiological conditions including hemorrhagic, endotoxic, and cardiogenic shock, and in the hemodynamic sequelae of advanced liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, pharmacological manipulation of the endocannabinoid system may offer novel therapeutic approaches in hypertension and ischemic heart disease.”
So if I understand all of this, nobody has come out and empirically stated that marijuana can lower blood pressure. That said, there appears to be at least anecdotal factors suggesting it’s possible and NIH at least believes that the potential exists.
Do your homework and if you are so inclined, purchase a few of the strains mentioned in this post and do a “ before and after” test with a blood pressure monitor to determine whether it can be a valuable (and enjoyable) tool for you.
