The Influence of Oral Cannabidiol on 24-h Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Untreated Hypertension: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Pilot Study.

Abstract

Studies reveal that cannabidiol may acutely reduce blood pressure and arterial stiffness in normotensive humans; however, it remains unknown if this holds true in patients with untreated hypertension. We aimed to extend these findings to examine the influence of the administration of cannabidiol on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and arterial stiffness in hypertensive individuals. Sixteen volunteers (eight females) with untreated hypertension (elevated blood pressure, stage 1, stage 2) were given oral cannabidiol (150mg every 8h) or placebo for 24h in a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study. Measures of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and estimates of arterial stiffness and heart rate variability were obtained. Physical activity and sleep were also recorded. Although physical activity, sleep patterns and heart rate variability were comparable between groups, arterial stiffness (~0.7m/s), systolic blood pressure (~5mmHg), and mean arterial pressure (~3mmHg) were all significantly (P<0.05) lower over 24h on cannabidiol when compared to the placebo. These reductions were generally larger during sleep. Oral cannabidiol was safe and well tolerated with no development of new sustained arrhythmias. Our findings indicate that acute dosing of cannabidiol over 24h can lower blood pressure and arterial stiffness in individuals with untreated hypertension. The clinical implications and safety of longer-term cannabidiol usage in treated and untreated hypertension remains to be established.