A common question I get is, “Is cannabis safe for my heart?” Given February is “American Heart Month,” I thought it only appropriate to address this question and the possible effects of cannabis. Remember, I am an RN and cannabis nurse, not a physician. The information here is for education. Before starting, you should always consult your physician on any new activities, diets, supplements, etc. With that said, here is some education.
The heart is a muscle that pumps blood through the body. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. It is also a pathway to discarding carbon dioxide, and other junk our body does not need. When the heart is struggling, the rest of the body struggles, and this can lead to coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and heart failure, to name a few. So, the heart is a pretty big deal to protect. It must have strong muscle action and open blood vessels to be most effective.
Cannabis has many cannabinoids other than THC and CBD, but these are the ones people think about first. As an experienced cannabis nurse working with medical marijuana patients, I teach about the importance of whole plants. These provide as many different phytocannabinoids and terpenes as possible to balance the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). When we only use one cannabinoid, we can add to the imbalance and defeat the purpose of the plant. So, let’s look at these two biggest cannabinoids.
THC is known as the “mind-altering” or psychoactive cannabinoid. While true, when we micro-dose or take tiny amounts of THC, these effects are often unnoticed if present at all. However, there are impacts of THC on the heart. THC can increase the heart rate (especially in the beginning or with increased doses) and decrease blood pressure. There is research that “cannabis constituents (primarily CBD & THC but also beta-caryophyllene) may present new mechanisms that may at once be cardio-protective and potentially therapeutically efficacious in dealing with a number of contributing factors (e.g., chronic -stress, -obesity, -inflammation) as well as numerous chronic and acute cardiac events including hypoxia (poor tissue perfusion), arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), angina, myocardial infarction (heart attacks), and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury” (Cannakeys, 2021).
“While both THC and CBD modulate inflammatory processes and reduce oxidative stress, CBD reduces inflammation and oxidative stress without the risk of THC-induced tachycardia or anxiety. In addition, CBD does not produce changes in hemodynamics such as heart rate and blood pressure but presents with a number of potentially supportive mechanisms such as cardio-protective effects” (Cannakeys, 2021). These anti-inflammatory effects combined with the non-intoxication are important reasons why patients are encouraged to use a high CBD content product initially and to add THC only as needed.
More research is taking place, and we cannot overlook that there are concerns about the effects of cannabis smoking/inhalation, especially with younger adults. However, there are equal amounts of research on the benefits “Emerging data demonstrate modulation of the ECS plays an essential role in cardio metabolic risk, atherosclerosis, and can even limit damage to cardiomyocytes during ischemic events.” (Shafer et al., 2021). Yes, we can always use more research, but the real-world evidence shows great promise, and a wealth of evidence-based research has been peer-reviewed to guide us.
Finally, if you have heart disease or a heart condition and take medications, please be sure to talk with your healthcare provider. Combining any medication with another medicine (pharmaceutical or plant) can lead to unwanted side effects. Care must be taken to ensure they are not competing for their receptors sites or allowing a build-up of one over the other. Stay tuned, and we will discuss more on medications and cannabis next month.
The information today is rather intense, I know. It is one of the reasons why working with your physician is essential, especially if you take medication. An experienced cannabis nurse or physician can also provide excellent insight and resources to you and your healthcare provider. At 2 Leaf Nurses, we love helping physicians learn about the endocannabinoid system and how cannabis can impact the body in positive ways. If you or someone you know has any heart condition or disease, we would love to talk with you to help ensure safety and success.
Dedee Culley, RN, is the founder of 2 Leaf Nurses, an educational consultancy working with both patients and facilities.
References:
Heart Disease – Cannabis THC : CBD Ratios. (2021, November 8). Cannakeys. Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://cannakeys.com/thc-cbd-for-heart-disease/
Shaffer, Brian L. MD, FACPa; Davis, Garrison M. BS, RRTb; Incitti, Marc A. MS, RNb; Piper, Brian J. PhD, MSb,c; Entler, Brian V. MSb,∗ Application of medical cannabis in unstable angina and coronary artery disease, Medicine: March 19, 2021 – Volume 100 – Issue 11 – p e25172doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000025172
What do you think?