Medical Marijuana & Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, afflicts an estimated one in four American adults. The condition puts a strain on the human heart and blood vessels and considerably increases the risk of stroke and heart disease.

The endogenous cannabinoid system plays a role in regulating blood pressure as per emerging research, though its mechanism of action is not well understood. It is being demonstrated by animal studies that anandamide and other endocannabinoids profoundly suppress cardiac contractility in hypertension and may normalize blood pressure, which encourages some experts to speculate that the manipulation of the endocannabinoid system "may offer novel therapeutic approaches in a variety of cardiovascular disorders."

On humans and laboratory animals, the administration of natural cannabinoids has yielded conflicting cardiovascular effects. The vascular response in humans administered cannabis in experimental conditions is generally characterized by a mild increase in heart rate and blood pressure. However, complete tolerance to these effects develops quickly and potential health risks appear to be minimal. In animals, the administration of cannabinoids is usually associated with vasodilation, transient bradycardia and hypotension, besides an inhibition of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) progression. Synthetic cannabinoid administration has also been shown for lowering blood pressure in animals and has not been associated with cardiotoxicity in humans.

References:

[1] Franjo Grotenhermen. 2006. Clinical pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. In Russo et al (Eds) Handbook of Cannabis Therapeutics. Binghampton, New York: Haworth Press.
[2] Batkai et al. 2004. Endocannabinoids acting at cannabinoid-1 receptors regulate cardiovascular function in hypertension. Circulation 110: 1996-220.
[3] Pacher et al. 2005. Blood pressure regulation by endocannabinoids and their receptors (PDF). Neuropharmacology 48: 1130-1138.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Cecilia Hillard. 2000. Endocannabinoids and vascular function. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 294: 27-32.
[6] Kunos et al. 2000. Endocannabinoids as cardiovascular modulators. Chemistry and Physics of Lipids 108: 159-168.
[7] Reese Jones. 2002. Cardiovascular system effects of marijuana. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 42: 58-63.
[8] Ribuot et al. 2005. Cardiac and vascular effects of cannabinoids: toward a therapeutic use? Annales de Cardiologie et d’Angeiologie (France) 54: 89-96.
[9] Steven Karch. 2006. Cannabis and cardiotoxicity. Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology. 2: 13-18.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Rodondi et al. 2006. Marijuana use, diet, body mass index and cardiovascular risk factors. American Journal of Cardiology 98: 478-484.
[12] Reese Jones. 2002. op. cit.
[13] Steffens and Mach. 2006. Towards a therapeutic use of selective CB2 cannabinoid receptor ligands for atherosclerosis. Future Cardiology 2: 49-53.
[14] Steffens et al. 2005. Low dose oral cannabinoid therapy reduces progression of atherosclerosis in mice. Nature 434: 782-786.
[15] Steffens and Mach. 2006. Cannabinoid receptors in atherosclerosis. Current Opinion in Lipidology 17: 519-526.
[16] Steven Karch. 2006. op. cit.
[17]Francois Mach. 2006. New anti-inflammatory agents to reduce atherosclerosis. Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry 112: 130-137.

Marijuana Help

NOTE: This article is written with the help from Marijuana Rehab groups.  We don't necessarily agree with everything written here, but we support the right to express different views on hemp.   Remember, just like with anything in life, if used safely hemp has positive medical benefits (think medical marijuana), but if abused  - just like with anything - it has consequences.  Just think this over, 1 pill of aspirin relieves a headache, 50 pills can kill you, so be careful with abuse of anything.

Marijuana Help

If you or people around you (family, friends, relatives, or colleagues) feel that you need special attention to get out of the habit of using marijuana, all you need is marijuana help that can easily come your way with options such as marijuana rehab or marijuana detox.

It is important for every one to note that marijuana can be an addictive drug unless specifically prescribed by a qualified and authorized medical practitioner for medicinal purposes. Any other marijuana regimen or usage falls under the category of drug abuse and could lead to marijuana rehab or marijuana detox. 

At present, one can choose from different marijuana rehab options, all things from marijuana detox center to a custom-made treatment program though an introductory meeting with a marijuana rehab counselor is the first and best way to determine the best treatment route.

Marijuana Withdrawal

Once an individual decides to avoid marijuana use, he or she may experience marijuana withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms could be similar in type and severity to those of nicotine withdrawal and may include sleeping difficulties, irritability, craving, and anxiety. The symptoms may peak a few days after the use of marijuana has been completely stopped and may make it hard for the individual to stay off marijuana. It is highly recommended that such individuals opt for counseling and group support systems or programs designed especially to help users looking for marijuana withdrawal.

Marijuana Rehab

During the marijuana rehab process, multi-disciplinary team of physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other treatment specialists team up for ensuring that users of the drug receive the utmost in personalized care in a nurturing and empowering environment. By offering a holistic approach to addiction recovery, the marijuana rehab centers addresses the biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs of each individual in an atmosphere of comfort and support. One of the best things about such centers is that they offer compassion, dignity, and the commitment to each individual's unique healing process.

Marijuana Detox

Marijuana detox is a medical process that is all about detoxification of the body of the effects of marijuana. It is worthwhile to note that habitual or chronic users of marijuana require marijuana detox before real abstinence and recovery can begin. Considered by many as the first stage of a successful recovery plan, marijuana detox helps in clearing the mind so that complete focus on the action required of rehabilitation can be attained and maintained.

One of the best things about marijuana detox is that the process is as effective for treating a lifetime of marijuana usage as for the last few months of heavy marijuana use. This detoxification process proves extremely beneficial for those who want to live life to the fullest after being into marijuana in the past due to any reason. It is also useful in understanding that continued obsession about marijuana consumes much of the day and the night and is not worth any second of the precious life.