As CBD products rise in popularity, most people are wondering if these natural compounds can act as an alternative to pharmaceuticals. After all, studies show that CBD has potential benefits such as relieving pain discomfort and anxiousness and recent studies also show that CBD may even help with blood flow. Let’s delve further to know how CBD can do it and can should we try it?
What is Vasodilation?
Vasodilation is a process that improves blood flow in the body by widening the blood vessels. The pressure with which blood flows through the vessels is decreased, and consequently the blood flows smoothly effectively reaching all parts of the body in optimal time.
Vasodilation naturally occurs in our body from time to time as a reaction to increased activity, hormones, exercise, and ensures that the blood keeps moving efficiently. When as person’s body is not able to do this automatically as it should be, blood doesn’t move as quickly and smoothly as it should. When this happens the doctor usually prescribes vasodilators which are medications that that cause vasodilation.
When blood does not flow, it can lead to high blood pressure or hypertension. Studies show that CBD can also act as a vasodilator and may improve blood flow.
CBD
CBD is a non-psychotropic compound prevalent in Cannabis sativa plant. CBD is obtained from industrial hemp plant and then mixed with carrier oil like MCT. CBD oil thus produced is used to make variety of CBD infused products. CBD is not intoxicating instead it imparts a feeling of relaxation and calmness in the user.
Research in pharmacology has found that CBD may provide a wide range of benefits such as management of pain, discomfort, anxiousness, and uneasiness. In addition, anecdotal evidence suggest that it may act as a vasodilator or improve blood flow.
CBD for blood flow
Research on this topic is limited and scientists are only aware of the following instances where CBD acts may act as a vasodilator.
- Some studies indicate that CBD may help in managing blood pressure. In essence CBD doesn’t act like vasodilator but help in managing causes of HBP such as inflammation, stress etc.
- Recent studies published in Journal of Psychopharmacology investigated how CBD impacts blood flow in key areas of brain linked with memory such as hippocampus. In the randomized trial scientists administered one dose of CBD to the participants and found that it enhanced blood flow to hippocampus (responsible for learning and memory). This means that CBD may contribute to better management of post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.
