Will low dosage of THC (2.5 mg) with CBD trigger fast heart rate?
Will a Low Dosage of THC (2.5 mg) with CBD Trigger a Fast Heart Rate?
The Simple Answer:
In the simplest answer, a low dose of THC (like 2.5 mg) combined with CBD is likely to cause only a mild increase in heart rate, if any, and CBD might even help balance it out. However, it’s not just about the cannabis; your overall health, mental state, and environment are all part of the equation. Keeping these factors in mind can help you better understand and manage how cannabis affects your heart.
The Full Answer:
Understanding how cannabis affects your heart rate can be a little tricky because it depends on a lot of different factors, including the dose you’re taking, your overall health, and even your emotional state when you consume it.
How THC and CBD Affect Heart Rate:
THC and Heart Rate: THC stimulates your nervous system in a way that increases your heart rate. One example for how this happens is because THC interacts with receptors in your brain that are part of your “fight or flight” response, leading to a release of chemicals like norepinephrine, which can make your heart beat faster. Another way THC can increase heart rate is because there is a unique response to THC within the heart muscle tissue itself, which is fully separate from effects on the brain that impact heart rate.
Interestingly, when folks talk about THC causing them paranoia, this is sometimes related to the effects of THC on increasing the heart rate. Paranoia = fear without attribution. Heart rate increases are a common sign of fear. For those who are new to consuming cannabis and who experience a heart rate – if this is unfamiliar to them, they have signs of fear, and because it’s foreign, it can be hard for their minds to attribute the change to THC, hence… they call it paranoia.
- At Low Doses: Even at a low dose like 2.5 mg, THC can cause a mild increase in heart rate, though it’s usually not dramatic. Some people might notice their heart rate goes up by 5-10 beats per minute, some people may not even notice anything at all (These numbers are very dependent on physical fitness and other big individual differences)
- At Higher Doses: If you take a higher dose, say 10-20 mg, the effect is more pronounced. Your heart rate might increase by 20-30 beats per minute above what’s normal for you.
CBD and Heart Rate: CBD, on the other hand, tends to have the opposite impact, a calming effect on the body and heart. Unlike THC, it doesn’t stimulate those “fight or flight” receptors and might even help counteract the heart rate increase caused by THC, and it doesn’t have the same receptor impact on the heart muscle tissue.
- At Typical Doses: When taken in moderate amounts (like 50-100 mg), CBD can stabilize your heart rate or even cause a slight decrease, especially if you’re feeling stressed or anxious or in pain.
The Role of Context and Health
It’s important to remember that your overall health and the environment you’re in can also play a huge role in how cannabis affects your heart rate.
- Physical Health: If you have a heart condition, you might be more sensitive to the heart rate effects of THC. On the other hand, if you’re physically fit, you might notice less of an increase. Another win for all of us to be in better shape!
- Emotional State: If you’re feeling anxious or excited when you use cannabis, you might notice a bigger increase in heart rate. Conversely, if you’re relaxed, especially in a calm setting, your heart rate might not change as much, or it could even decrease with the help of CBD. Bring on your zen mindset!
- Environment: Where you are and how you feel when you use cannabis can influence your heart rate too. A peaceful, relaxed environment might help lower your heart rate, while a more stressful situation could do the opposite. See, the importance of solid friendships and surrounding yourself with people who are good for you.
How Cannabis Affects Heart Rate Over Time
- Short-Term Use: Right after beginning to consume THC, you might notice your heart rate go up for a while, usually for about 10 minutes to a few hours.
- Long-Term Use: Over time (weeks to months to years), your body might get used to THC that is consumed regularly, and the effect on your heart rate could diminish. Some people who use cannabis regularly even report that their resting heart rate goes down after a while.
Other Factors That Influence Heart Rate
Cannabis isn’t the only thing that can affect your heart rate. Other aspects of your lifestyle play a role too:
- Diet: Things like caffeine, alcohol, and certain foods can also make your heart rate go up.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity usually lowers your resting heart rate, which could affect how your heart responds to cannabis.
- Well-being: How you manage stress, the quality of your sleep, and your social connections all contribute to your heart health and can influence how your heart responds to different situations, including cannabis use.
What to Expect in Beats Per Minute (BPM)
- THC (2.5 mg): You might see a mild increase of 5-10 bpm (as above, this depends on so many other factors).
- CBD (50 mg or more): CBD might help keep your heart rate steady or even lower it a bit, especially if you’re stressed.
- THC (10-20 mg .. or more): Expect a bigger jump in heart rate, potentially 20-30 bpm above your normal rate.
Table: How THC and CBD Affect Heart Rate
| Cannabinoid | Dosage | Acute Effect on Heart Rate | Long-Term Effect on Heart Rate | Other Influencing Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THC | 2.5 mg | Mild increase (5-10 bpm) | Effects may diminish with regular use | Physical health, emotional state, environment |
| THC | 10-20 mg | Significant increase (20-30 bpm) | Potential decrease with long-term use | Same as above |
| CBD | 50-100 mg | Stabilization or slight decrease | Possible mild decrease at high doses | Helps reduce anxiety, counteracts THC effects |
References For This Answer (Full Text Copies)
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- Vandrey, R., et al. (2011). The dose effects of short-term smoked cannabis in healthy adults. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 102(1-3), 175–185.
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- Zuardi, A. W., & Crippa, J. A. (2008). CBD: From an inactive cannabinoid to a drug with broad spectrum of action. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 30(3), 271–280.
- Resstel, L. B., et al. (2009). 5-HT1A receptors are involved in the cannabidiol-induced attenuation of behavioral and cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress in rats. British Journal of Pharmacology, 156(1), 181–188.
- G. J., & R. M. (2019). Cardiovascular effects of cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids: A narrative review. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 21(8), 25.
- Kuehn, B. M. (2019). Alcohol use and cardiovascular disease: A call to action. Journal of the American Medical Association, 321(12), 1153–1154.
- Diaz, K. M., & Shimbo, D. (2013). Physical activity and the prevention of hypertension. Current Hypertension Reports, 15(6), 659–668.
