What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: CBD, Inflammation.

Where was this research published?

Published in Journal of cannabis research on June 19, 2026.

CBD shows promise for lowering blood pressure, but more research needed

Q: What did this Review find?

This systematic review examined whether oral *CBD* (cannabidiol), a non-intoxicating compound from cannabis, could help lower blood pressure in adults. The research team analyzed **four randomized controlled trials** involving **120 total participants** who received *CBD* doses ranging from **225-60

The effects of oral cannabidiol supplementation on blood pressure in adults: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Journal of cannabis research • June 19, 2026 • Review • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This systematic review examined whether oral CBD (cannabidiol), a non-intoxicating compound from cannabis, could help lower blood pressure in adults. The research team analyzed four randomized controlled trials involving 120 total participants who received CBD doses ranging from 225-600 mg per day for periods from just two hours up to five weeks. All four studies showed statistically significant reductions in systolic blood pressure compared to placebo, with the strongest effects observed when participants took 600 mg doses or were under stress or sleeping. These results suggest CBD may offer promise as a complementary approach to traditional blood pressure medications, particularly in situations where hypertension worsens.

The review identified some important practical advantages and limitations. Side effects were generally mild, including nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue—far less concerning than many conventional blood pressure medications. However, the researchers noted that small sample sizes, short trial durations, and inconsistent dosing approaches across studies limited confidence in the findings. Critically, there was no data on how the body processes and absorbs CBD, and questions remain about liver safety with long-term use. While these early results are encouraging for people seeking natural alternatives to blood pressure drugs, substantially larger and longer studies are needed before CBD can be confidently recommended as a blood pressure treatment.

The evidence suggests CBD's blood pressure-lowering effects may relate to its anxiety-reducing, anti-inflammatory, and blood vessel-relaxing properties. This is particularly noteworthy for individuals whose high blood pressure is stress-related, as CBD appeared to work best in stressful situations or during sleep. However, the dramatic variation in how studies were conducted makes it difficult to establish optimal dosing or identify which patients would benefit most. Future research must standardize treatment protocols and conduct longer-term monitoring to establish whether CBD could serve as a viable standalone therapy or useful complement to existing blood pressure medications.

📄 Original Abstract

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, particularly in ageing populations. While pharmacological interventions are common, issues with long-term adherence and side effects have prompted interest in alternative treatments. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa, has been proposed as a potential agent for blood pressure regulation due to its anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory properties. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of oral CBD supplementation on blood pressure in adults with normotension and hypertension. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline was conducted in September 2024. Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving oral CBD administration in normotensive or hypertensive adults, with blood pressure as an outcome. Studies involving animals, inhaled CBD, or non-English texts were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Clinical heterogeneity was assessed by comparing study populations, CBD dosing regimens, outcome measures, and assessment conditions. Substantial variability in dosing and blood pressure outcome reporting precluded quantitative pooling; therefore, results were synthesised narratively due to clinical heterogeneity. Four RCTs involving 120 participants met the inclusion criteria. Studies varied in CBD dose (225-600 mg/day), duration (two hours to 5 weeks), and participant health status. An association was observed between CBD dosage (mg/day) and reductions in blood pressure indicators, with greater reductions occurring at higher doses. All four studies reported statistically significant reductions in systolic blood pressure compared to placebo, particularly under stress or during sleep. Two studies reported lower diastolic pressure. The strongest effects were observed with acute administration of the highest-dose studies of 600 mg/day. Side effect severity was generally mild to moderate, including nausea, diarrhoea, and fatigue. No serious cardiovascular events were reported. Oral CBD may reduce blood pressure amongst healthy and hypertensive individuals, particularly under stressful conditions and during sleep. Limitations included small sample sizes, short trial durations, variability in CBD matrices and dosages, lack of pharmacokinetic data, and uncertainty surrounding hepatic safety. Larger, longer-term trials with homogeneous supplementation strategies and bioavailability measures are needed to determine CBD's therapeutic role in blood pressure management.

Paper Type

📚 Review

Publication

Journal: Journal of cannabis research
Published: June 19, 2026
PMID: 42321899
DOI: 10.1186/s42238-026-00463-3

Authors (3)

Albert Roberts Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, ISEH, 170 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7HA, UK.
Solon Fountzopoulos Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, ISEH, 170 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7HA, UK.
Terun Desai Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, ISEH, 170 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7HA, UK. t.desai@ucl.ac.uk.