Can CBD Oil Treat High Cholesterol Levels

Can CBD Oil Treat High Cholesterol Levels?

Cholesterol-related diseases are among the most difficult lifestyle challenges. CBD offers a convenient, safe, low-cost, infusible daily routine to manage cholesterol. This article highlights the benefits of CBD oil for reducing cholesterol levels, the safety of this product, and the side effects.

CBD is a cannabis derivative extracted from the hemp plant. Hemp is a species of cannabis plant alongside marijuana. By composition, hemp has a 0.3% concentration of the psychoanalytic chemical called THC; This component gives its users the “high” effect. The chemical compounds found in CBD have different medicinal, recreational, and therapeutic significance. Medicinal components of CBD can treat pain, calm the body, induce sleep, and suppress anxiety. Studies have also linked CBD with cholesterol regulation. This article discusses the significance of CBD for regulating high cholesterol in the blood. Similarly, the article introduces the essential roles of lifestyle therapies in treating lifestyle health conditions.

What is Cholesterol?

Canyelles et al. (2018) noted that cholesterol is a component of lipids found in dietary food or produced in the liver. The human cells need cholesterol to manufacture vital substances like vitamins and hormones. The cell membrane also requires cholesterol for its metabolic functions.

High cholesterol levels in the blood increase the risk of medical conditions. When cholesterol from fats accumulates in the blood vessels, it can lead to conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which, if left untreated, lead to stroke or death. Additionally, when cholesterol multiplies in the blood vessels, the vessels become hardened and narrower. Several factors can lead to high cholesterol levels. They include underlying medical conditions, poor eating habits, and stress. 

Effects of High Blood Cholesterol Levels

Symptoms of high cholesterol levels include frequent fatigue, chest pains, and shortness of breath. Essentially, Kontush (2020) commented that cholesterol is produced by the breakdown of lipids in the body or from the dietary consumption of lipid-rich foods. Problematic cell metabolism results in elevated levels of cholesterol. Studies have shown a correlation between stress and high cholesterol levels in the blood, making a case for CBD oil in cholesterol management.

How CBD Oil Benefits People With High Cholesterol Levels

According to Burstein & Summer (2015), CBD oil stimulates cell receptors that lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Usually, stress is a major causative factor in elevated cholesterol in the body. Therefore, reducing stress levels corresponds to a significant decline in cholesterol levels in the blood.

Jadoon et al. (2016) demonstrated that CBD reduces resistin levels in the body. Ideally, resistin is a chemical that increases cellular inflammation and insulin resistance. CBD prevents insulin from resisting cell-to-brain communication. Notably, Vardjan et al. (2017) established that insulin regulates the level of glucose in the body by relaying the brain’s instructions to energy-producing cells. This implies that communication breakdown between insulin and the brain leads to metabolic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Hence, insulin resistance reduces the body’s cholesterol level and enhances communication between the brain and the human cells.

Reduces Inflammation of Blood Vessels Walls

de Almeida et al. (2020) established the nexus between CBD oil and CB 2R receptors. This interaction improves the cells’ capacity to reduce inflammation. The interaction between CBD and CB 2R receptors prevents abnormal immune cells from sending wrong signals to an inflamed body organ. Reducing cells in an inflamed body part lowers cell metabolism in the inflamed area, significantly reducing the pain associated with the presence of these cells.

Reduces High Blood Pressure

Malinowska et al. (2021) established the role of CBD in enlarging blood vessels. Narrow blood vessels are a common phenomenon among overweight people. When blood vessels are narrow, they increase the pressure of blood flowing through them, causing hypertension. Usually, CBD dilates the narrow walls increasing the volume of blood flowing through the vessels. The dilation of blood vessels reduces the pressure of blood flowing through the vessels, thus lowering hypertension.

Reduces Stress

The study above demonstrated the interaction between the serotonin receptors and CBD. Through this interaction, stress levels in the body are lowered. As forementioned, elevated stress levels increase the cholesterol levels in the blood. Similarly, CBD suppresses anxiety and depression causative factors, which are precursors of stress.

Reduces Appetite and Weight Gain

High cholesterol levels lead to excessive body weight. Excess body weight is a precursor for hypertension and resultant risks like stroke and heart attack. Among the known side effects of CBD oil is the loss of appetite. Other medical significances of CBD include reducing stress, depression, and anxiety, which contribute to increased cholesterol levels in the body. CBD oil lowers the users’ appetite for dietary intake of cholesterol-rich foods and reduces the body’s weight by targeting stress and anxiety.

Reduces Nicotine Consumption

Xiao et al. (2015) provided the nexus between nicotine consumption and vasoconstriction. Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels due to the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood. Studies have established that CBD has properties that reduce nicotine cravings and the resultant withdrawal symptoms.

Is CBD Safe?

CBD oil is non-psychoactive and non-toxic. According to Massi et al. (2006), the oil is safe, non-addictive, and does not intoxicate the body even when taken in excess. Additionally, CBD is compatible largely compatible with many people. However, the product has mild side effects of drowsiness, fatigue, and dry mouth. The side effects are mainly associated with improper consumption of the oil.

Conclusion

CBD can treat high cholesterol levels because it suppresses various factors that elevate cholesterol levels in the blood. Generally, CBD oil is safe and does not contain THC. A broader range of users can therefore take it as a supplement routine. Before using CBD oil to treat high cholesterol levels, seek medical advice. Consulting a physician will help the user know the required CBD oil dose for cholesterol management. Notably, there are many CBD oil products in the cannabis market. Hence, users should ensure they purchase the oil from credible brands to acquire the best high-quality product. CBD users must remain updated on novel discoveries of CBD products effective for managing cholesterol and other lifestyle-related morbidities.

References

Canyelles, M., Tondo, M., Cedó, L., Farràs, M., Escolà-Gil, J. C., & Blanco-Vaca, F. (2018). Trimethylamine N-Oxide: A Link Among Diet, Gut Microbiota, Gene Regulation Of Liver And Intestine Cholesterol Homeostasis, And HDL Function. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, 19(10), 3228.

De Almeida, D. L., & Devi, L. A. (2020). Diversity Of Molecular Targets And Signaling Pathways For CBD. Pharmacology Research & Perspectives, 8(6), E00682.

Jadoon, K. A., Ratcliffe, S. H., Barrett, D. A., Thomas, E. L., Stott, C., Bell, J. D., … & Tan, G. D. (2016). Efficacy And Safety Of Cannabidiol And Tetrahydrocannabivarin On Glycemic And Lipid Parameters In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Pilot Study. Diabetes Care, 39(10), 1777-1786.

Kontush, A. (2020). HDL And Reverse Remnant-Cholesterol Transport (RRT): Relevance To Cardiovascular Disease. Trends In Molecular Medicine, 26(12), 1086-1100.

Malinowska, B., Baranowska-Kuczko, M., Kicman, A., & Schlicker, E. (2021). Opportunities, Challenges, And Pitfalls Of Using Cannabidiol As An Adjuvant Drug In COVID-19. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, 22(4), 1986.

Vardjan, N., Verkhratsky, A., & Zorec, R. (2017). Astrocytic Pathological Calcium Homeostasis And Impaired Vesicle Trafficking In Neurodegeneration. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences, 18(2), 358.

Xiao, D., Huang, X., Li, Y., Dasgupta, C., Wang, L., & Zhang, L. (2015). Antenatal Antioxidant Prevents Nicotine-Mediated Hypertensive Response In Rat Adult Offspring. Biology Of Reproduction, 93(3), 66-1.

Charlotte Cremers
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MS, University of Tartu
Sleep specialist

Using the acquired academic and professional experience, I advise patients with various complaints about mental health - depressed mood, nervousness, lack of energy and interest, sleep disorders, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts and anxieties, difficulty concentrating, and stress. In my free time, I love to paint and go on long walks on the beach. One of my latest obsessions is sudoku – a wonderful activity to calm an unease mind.

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