CBD supplementation reduces arterial blood pressure via modulation of the sympatho-chromaffin system: A substudy from the HYPER-H21-4 trial

Data concerning the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on blood pressure (BP) is controversial. HYPER-H21-4 was a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial which sought to elucidate if 5-week administration of CBD will reduce BP in hypertensive patients. In the substudy of this trial, we aimed to establish the mechanistic back-ground of CBD-induced BP reduction. Specifically, we explored the dynamic of catestatin, a sympathoinhibitory peptide implicated in the pathophysiology of hypertension. In the present analysis, 54 patients with Grade 1 hypertension were included. 5-week administration of CBD but not placebo reduced serum catestatin concen-tration in comparison to baseline (13.50 [10.85-19.05] vs. 9.65 [6.37-12.26] ng/mL, p < 0.001). Serum cat-estatin levels at the start of the treatment period demonstrated a negative correlation with the extent of reduction in mean arterial pressure (r =-0.474, p < 0.001). Moreover, the extent of change in catestatin serum levels showed a strong correlation with the extent of mean arterial pressure reduction (r = 0.712, p < 0.001). Overall, the results of the present study imply that the antihypertensive effects of CBD may be explained by its interaction with the sympatho-chromaffin system, although further research is warranted.

Automated summary

This study found that a 5-week administration of CBD can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients, and this antihypertensive effect may be explained by CBD's interaction with the sympatho-chromaffin system.