Check Out the Info on Does Cannabis Affect Your Cholesterol?
There has been a lot of talk about the health benefits of cannabis, but concerned health-conscious consumers really want to know: does cannabis affect cholesterol levels?
Although there’s no conclusive clinical research addressing this matter at the moment, some past studies have shown that cannabinoids, particularly CBD, can alter cholesterol levels under certain conditions.
So under what circumstances does cannabis affect cholesterol? Does it cause positive or negative effects? We’ll answer these questions in this comprehensive guide.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, liquid fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is an important part of the structure and function of cell membranes, and it also serves as a precursor for Vitamin D production.
Endogenous production of cholesterol happens in the liver and intestines. Additionally, foods like meat, eggs, and dairy products contain cholesterol, so it's essential to check your consumption of these kinds of foods. Cholesterol travels through the blood in packages called lipoproteins.
You need cholesterol in small amounts to keep your body healthy, but too much of it can lead to serious health problems like heart disease.
Cholesterol and Heart Health
One of the leading causes of heart disease is high cholesterol. Cholesterol can combine with other substances in the body and build up in your arteries. This can cause narrowing and hardening of arteries; a condition called atherosclerosis.
The risk of developing atherosclerosis increases when high amounts of cholesterol enter the arteries in the form of fatty buildups called plaques.
If you have unstable plaque , it will most likely rupture and cause a blood clot which will stop blood flow. If this happens in the coronary artery, you’re at risk of angina or a heart attack.
The fatty buildup is not the only cause of atherosclerosis. The condition is associated with other cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and carotid artery disease.
It’s also worth noting that not all types of cholesterol raise the risk of heart disease. There are three main types of cholesterol:
- Very Low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)- Carries triglycerides to the body tissues. Both VLDL and triglycerides increase the rate of heart disease.
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)- Helps transport cholesterol to cells throughout the body. Can form plaques and increase the risk of heart disease.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL)- Helps carry cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver for disposal. Not associated with the risk of heart disease.
The body uses dietary fat and some carbohydrates as building blocks to produce cholesterol.
Cholesterol is an essential substance that is vital to the health of every cell in our body. However, like a double-edged sword, it can be harmful if not kept under control.
According to The American Heart Association (AHA), a person should keep their cholesterol levels under certain limits, depending on their age and gender. For example, a man who is 60 years old should have his total cholesterol level between 150-199 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol level less than 100 mg/dl.
What Is The Normal Cholesterol Level?
According to the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), the standard levels of cholesterol per the guideline are as follows:
HDL level:
Low: less than 40 mg/ dL
High: at or above 60 mg/ dL
LDL level:
Optimal: less than 100 mg/ dL
High: 160 to 189 mg/dL
For fasting triglycerides, the normal level is less than 150 mg/dL. Above this leads to mild, moderate, or severe hypertriglyceridemia.
Target cholesterol levels also differ based on age and gender.
How to Lower Cholesterol
Nobody wants to get or deal with heart disease because of something like cholesterol buildup that can be easily avoided. Luckily, by eating a healthy diet (reduce uptake of meat, dairy products, and processed foods), engaging in regular physical exercise, and avoiding smoking, you can lower your cholesterol and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
If lifestyle changes don’t help you lower cholesterol, you can always be prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as Simvastatin, Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Pravastatin.
While these medications have passed clinical trials for efficacy, they can cause unpleasant side effects. For this reason, people are actively searching for ways natural alternatives to lower cholesterol levels, such as cannabis.
How Does Cannabis Affect Your Cholesterol?
Currently, there’s little conclusive research on the relationship between cannabis and cholesterol but some studies show that the substance may have some effect on cholesterol levels.
This 2013 study about the metabolic effects of chronic cannabis smoking examines the cholesterol levels of 30 cannabis smokers and 30 control subjects. Compared to control subjects, cannabis smokers had lower HDL levels, but the total cholesterol, LDL, free fatty acids and triglycerides did not differ significantly.
The cause of the decline in HDL levels may or may not be related to the cannabis itself, as well as the smoking method used to consume it.
More Research on Cannabinoids and Cholesterol
A 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association examined the role of cannabinoids in heart disease. The researcher focused on THC and found conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between the compound and atherosclerosis.
The study found that THC stimulates both CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors stimulation increases oxidative stress and plaque formation. On the other hand, CB2 receptors stimulation was found to inhibit LDL activity and reduce inflammation.
The paper mentions the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, which focused on comparing cannabis users and non-users over 25 years. According to the study, cannabis users were more likely to suffer from atherosclerosis if they also smoked tobacco.
CBD and Cholesterol
Cannabinoids’ effect studies on cholesterol have long been controversial, but are the only thing that can tell us how they interact.
According to this study, cannabinoids modulate cholesterol homeostasis (how cholesterol levels are controlled in cells). This study indicates that endocannabinoids may contribute to cholesterol homeostasis.
This 2017 study on the safety and side effects of cannabidiol confirmed the safety profile of the substance. Additionally, the study showed that CBD raised cholesterol levels in non-transgenic mice but had no effect on transgenic mice whose cholesterol levels were already high.
Based on these studies, we can conclude that CBD has the potential to regulate cholesterol. But since these are clinical studies, we can’t say for sure that the findings can be extrapolated to humans.
Is It Safe To Take CBD Oil With High Cholesterol?
Experts say that CBD is safe to use and can help with a number of health issues, so it should be okay for people with high cholesterol.
A word of caution: CBD shouldn’t be used if you are on cholesterol medication. This is because CBD inhibits the production of enzymes in the liver, including those that help metabolize cholesterol drugs.
Does Cannabis Affect Your Cholesterol? Final Thoughts
While it’s essential to be aware of what your cannabis consumption might do to your cholesterol, current evidence is insufficient to conclude if cannabis is good or bad for cholesterol.
Current studies show a possible benefit of cholesterol in balancing cholesterol levels, but more needs to be done of a clear-cut conclusion. THC, the other cannabinoid responsible for producing the "high" sensation, has yet to be thoroughly studied in terms of its effect on cholesterol.
Smoking can lead to atherosclerosis, so you should avoid this consumption method especially for tobacco.
If you have questions or concerns regarding cannabis and cholesterol, you can always reach out to a qualified physician for help.
.png)