How does Cannabis affect our blood system?

What are the functions of Cannabis in the blood system?

Everything to do with Cannabis medicine and our EC system is about duality, and this is just one of the secrets of the human companion plant. The reason why Cannabis medicine can offer duality in healing is that the plant-derived Cannabinoids, specifically THC, are able to act as both agonists and antagonists of our Endocannabinoid receptors. For example, the duality of Cannabis medicine is visible in the blood system in the way in which this medicine can both increase and decrease blood pressure, and can also both clot and thin blood out. [162] (Griffin et al , 1999)  

1.    Cannabis acts as both vasodilator and vasoconstrictor

The human body is a highly pressurised system. The blood pressure measures the force of blood pulsating through the arteries, and it is important to keep this pressure regulated. Science has proven that Cannabis causes vasodilation and this is how Cannabis can reduce blood pressure by reducing overall arterial pressure. [163] (Richter, 2018) This is also how Cannabis is able to maintain vascular tone. Cannabis acts as both a vasodilator and a vasoconstrictor, depending on what is happening in the patient’s blood. 

For example, a patient who is a “bleeder” will use Cannabis as a vaso constrictor because this is what the plant will do for this patient, and a patient with high blood pressure will benefit from the vasodilation properties. This is how Cannabis is able to slow the heart-rate in a person suffering from tachycardia, and can increase the heart-rate in patients with a slow heart-rate. If you consider the seriousness of high blood pressure, which is affects 1 in 3 adults, we must start speculating about what the effects of Cannabis are on this common and critical condition. [164] (Blood Pressure Matters, 2016)

And when you do the research you will find that most studies show that unmanaged high blood pressure can result in cardiac issues like heart failure, heart attacks and even strokes. [165] (NIH, 2019) Cannabis does not increase these risks. This is another reason why no human being has ever died from using plant based Cannabis medicine. Consuming Cannabis can considerably reduce your chances of having a stroke and you can read about this in the Journal “Neuro-psychopharmacology” where they state that Cannabis improves blood and oxygen flow thus reducing the risk of blood clots and stroke. [166] (P. Pacher, 2005) [167] (Webb  MD et al, 2014)

In 2006 already The Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Journal published a report stating that:

“Despite the drug’s extreme popularity, reports of Cannabis-related stroke and myocardial infarction are so rare as to still be reportable.” [168] (Karch, 2006)

Repeated use of Cannabis over days or weeks and even developing a tolerance is linked to lowered blood pressure for many patients. [169] (Crawford et al, 1979) It is the regular use of Cannabis that leads to the overall decrease in blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension and other heart conditions. There are many doctor’s testimonials attesting to the fact that Cannabis naturally ‘suppresses cardiac contractility’ in hypertension, which is a fancy way of admitting that Cannabis lowers the blood pressure. [170] (Alfulaij PhD et al, 2018) Already we can see that many doctors are starting to realise the importance of targeting the Endocannabinoid receptors to offer novel and natural therapies in the treatment of high blood pressure. Plant-derived Cannabinoids relax smooth muscles, and this is how Cannabis dilates the blood vessels. [171] (Pacher et al, 2017)

Even CBD-high medicines with very little THC, can produce a drop in arterial pressure by interacting with the Cannabinoid receptors in the blood system. [172] (Jadoon et al, 2017) So, in my opinion, stopping Cannabis consumption can definitely lead to an increase in blood pressure and lead to other medical conditions like strokes and heart problems.

Some scientists say that Cannabis and the blood are a complicated matter. If we can understand that Cannabis medicine has a dual purpose in healing, then it will no longer be complicated. This duality is possible because the chemical components of the Cannabis plant can act both as agonists and antagonists of all of our other receptors, including the Cannabinoid receptors, and this is what continues to puzzle scientists and students. [173] (Crawford et al, 1979) It is this mysterious ambiguity in the highly effective functioning of Cannabis, that allows this mystical healing plant to be able both to increase or decrease blood pressure, in the same way as it is able both to suppress and stimulate the appetite. We must understand that this plant will set out to rectify whatever is causing imbalance in the body, regardless of any diagnosis given by a doctor. Please refer back to Chapter Three where we examined the control of the EC system over the function of homeostasis. This is why there often appears to be conflicting information available on the effects of Cannabis on the blood system. [174] Kunos et al, 2008)

People with low blood pressure must be cautious when consuming Cannabis especially when smoking it. Smoking Cannabis causes the Cannabinoids to cross the blood-brain barrier almost immediately. Some people can even faint from smoking Cannabis if their blood pressure is too low before smoking. People who already have low blood pressure will also experience an initial decrease in blood pressure. This sudden drop in already low blood pressure is occasionally accompanied by increased heart rate, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, headaches, and in some cases even blurred vision. These symptoms are short lived, from a few minutes to half an hour and then blood pressure stabilises. If you have low blood pressure you should consume less Cannabis medicine with lower potencies of THC. Cannabis can heal hypertension while at the same time not causing any permanent damage to people suffering from low blood pressure.

2.    Cannabis has pro and anti-coagulation properties

Because Cannabis can act as both a vasodilator and a vasoconstrictor, it can provide both clotting and thinning functions in the blood system. A haemophiliac patient who is known as a “bleeder” will benefit from the pro-coagulant (clotting) properties, and a person with thick blood will benefit from the anti-coagulant (blood thinning) properties of Cannabis. It is easy to get confused, so to be clear anti-coagulants are substances that thin the blood out, and pro-coagulants are substances that induce blood clotting.

There are many blood coagulation studies that you can read that were conducted to prove that Cannabis shows considerable inhibition of thrombin-induced clot formation. [175] (Venter C.L.Frost, 2007) These studies prove that Cannabis can thin the blood out to avoid excessive clotting while at the same time can induce clotting in other patients. [176] (Alshaarawy et al, 2012) Many people everywhere in the world are self-medicating and proving these medical miracles on a daily basis. Please take note that self-medicating can be very dangerous. [177] (Osborn et al, 2015) I urge people to first consult with their doctor or health care provider. Ultimately, I find it comforting to know that our blood, our life force, and our circulation issues are safe in the hands of Cannabis.

 3.    Pain and inflammation

Most diseases arise from chronic inflammation, and Vasculitis is a condition resulting from inflammation of the blood vessels. There are various forms of vasculitis, depending on the organs affected. All forms of vasculitis involve inflammation and damage to all the blood vessels including arteries, veins and capillaries. Because vasculitis is organ-related, it can affect different parts of the body. This means that there is a wide range of symptoms like fever, pain, weight loss, insomnia, muscle pain, numbness, weakness, depression, malaise, visual problems, headaches, high blood pressure, gastric problems, kidney and other organ damage. Central nervous system vasculitis can lead to mental conditions like dementia, and even seizures.  The biggest problem with vasculitis is late diagnosis and end organ damage, so treatment is largely aimed at reducing the inflammation in the blood system and improving the functioning of the affected organs. End organ damage usually refers to the major organs, for example the kidneys. Kidney damage is very common in people suffering from vasculitis. Very often vasculitis is overlooked and only detected at a later stage where there is already, for example significant kidney damage. This is referred to as end organ damage. [178] (Luft et al, 1999)

People who are suffering from blood conditions like vasculitis often experience the most excruciating pain all over their bodies. It is an unseen pain, and vasculitis is also a symptom of fybromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Pain due to vasculitis can be so severe that it has to be treated with anti-seizure medications, chemotherapy and often antidepressants and then obviously opiate drugs as well. It really is a life-threatening condition, and a lot of people perish due to the toxicity of the long-term immune-suppression of their treatments.

Scientists say that they do not know why the body’s immune system attacks its own blood vessels, but in my experience you can be sure that infection and inflammation are the main triggers. It amazes me how many cases of Vasculitis go undiagnosed. When blood vessels become inflamed the walls thicken causing the blood vessels to narrow, and this reduces the flow of blood, leading to less oxygen and fewer nutrients reaching the organs and tissues. Cannabis has the ability to interrupt the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are activated by oxidative processes, cell injury, infection and disease. This is why Cannabis can offer healing for this condition with the application of Cannabis oil directly into and around the navel, working with the pechoti gland as discussed earlier in this chapter. [179] (Prakash Nagarkatti, 2009)

It is because of the activity of the EC system our blood system that the chemical components of the Cannabis plant get to work straight away, repairing the damaged blood vessels and reducing inflammation in the vascular system. Most ageing-related diseases occur because of inflammation, like arthritis for example. Cannabis has the ability to reverse the terrible side-effects of steroid treatments, for example weight gain, swelling from water retention and even depression. Painful leg ulcers are a common symptom of vasculitis, and I have seen how just the simple topical application of Cannabis Coconut Connection® introduces antibacterial properties which help to keep infections away. Cannabis decreases the secretion of pro-inflammatory substances, and slows down their migration to blood vessel walls. [180] (Nagarkatti et al, 2010)

So the secret is that Cannabis is showing potential to be one of the best anti-aging medicines we could take for good health and longevity, because of its magical effects on age-related degenerative conditions. We will study the effects of Cannabis on the ageing process in the next few chapters.

 4.    Cannabis controls renal tubule hypertrophy

Our blood filters through our kidneys many times a day, and in a single day our kidneys filter almost 150 litres of blood while removing waste and extra water from the blood to form urine. This is really important when you consider what Traditional Chinese Medicine has to say about vasculitis and other blood conditions. According to Chinese healers and acupuncturists, conditions of the blood often manifest as a blockage of energy in the kidneys and spleen. As mentioned earlier, kidney problems are very common in people suffering from vasculitis, and Cannabis has proven to be beneficial. This is evident in the reduction of water retention.

There is now scientific proof that the EC system is involved in the cellular death of human proximal tubular (HK2) cells. [181] (Velasco PhD et al, 2016) These human kidney cells originate from the kidney cells of the HK2 gene on the 2^nd chromosome, and these cells are required in the formation of tumours in most cancers. These cause renal tubule hypertrophy. Through the function of autophagy and apoptosis our EC system is able to cause these cells to commit cellular suicide. This is how Cannabis contributes to reducing hypertrophy throughout the body by providing the supplements that our EC system needs to perform its functions. Every single one of us needs a daily dose of Cannabis to sustain our health. [182] (Jenkin, 2010)  

5.    Cannabis increases erythrocytes (red blood cells) and increases oxygen in the blood

The results of most research studies reveal the same thing. People who consume Cannabis have a greater ‘global oxygen extraction’ fraction (OEF), ‘greater cerebral blood flow’ (CBF) as well as a greater cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen’ (CMRO2) than people who do not use Cannabis medicine. This is a scientific fact. Cannabis does all of this through its ability to regulate hormone absorption. The hormone Erythropoietin, converts stems cells from the bone marrow into red blood cells, and this is how Cannabis rectifies anaemia, which is a very common problem in people suffering from vasculitis and other blood conditions.

When you read [183](Valk et al (1997)it is reported that, at low concentrations, our natural THC, Anandamide, interacts with our Cannabinoid receptors to work together with colony-stimulating factors (CSF’s). Interleukin-3 and the hormone erythropoietin stimulate the formation of the blood cell components from our blood stem cells formed in the bone marrow. So we know that, even at extremely low doses, Cannabis and THC play a regulatory role in the production of our blood cells.

6.    Cannabis increases endothelial cell production

 Cannabis is able to stimulate the production of the cells that line the blood vessels, the endothelial cells. This is why we can find evidence of Cannabis preventing coronary artery diseases such as atherosclerosis for instance. Blood conditions cause hardening and narrowing of the arteries, and this impairs blood flow to the heart and brain caused by the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries. This is also why there are no reported cases of strokes caused by Cannabis. Cannabis not only creates new brain cells but also new blood cells because it is well documented that Cannabinoids regulate platelet function and stimulate platelet activation. [184] (Miller, 2007) 

Medical research confirms that our natural THC; Anandamide; as well as other plant-derived Cannabinoids, cause the activation of platelets. This is why we need to supplement our EC system with the unique biological elements found within Cannabis.

 

7.    Cannabis regulates blood-cell migration ; e.g. sending white blood cells to the site of infection

Some scientists believe that Cannabis depresses the immune system, and that healthy people might not always benefit from continuous consumption of the high levels of anti-inflammatory compounds found in Cannabis. The truth is that Cannabis will ONLY increase white blood cells when there is a risk of infection, by sending thousands of white blood cells to the site of injury.  Cannabis will not do this in healthy people. The effects of Cannabinoids on white blood cells have always contributed and continue to contribute to their now well-known role in our immune response. This is why other scientists, now recognize all of our Endocannabinoids and all the Cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant, as vitally important in the regulation of the human immune response. [185] Miller AM et al, (2008) The scientists reported that Endocannabinoids and Cannabinoids cause white cell migration and that this effect is synergistic with the CSF’s (Colony-stimulating factors) interleukin-3 and granulocyte, proving that our EC system and Cannabis play important roles in immune cell mobilization.

8.    Cannabis controls and regulates blood sugar

In Chapter Three we examined the mechanisms whereby Cannabis controls our blood sugar levels, as well as our metabolism in terms of absorbing and secreting insulin. Through the control of our hormone system, Cannabis is able to control metabolism, as well as blood sugar levels, by controlling the absorption of insulin and other vital hormones in our bodies. Again, in paradoxical fashion, Cannabis is able both to increase and lower blood sugar and insulin levels. It is the regulatory role that Cannabis has over our hormone system that gives Cannabis these magical healing powers.

 

9.    Cannabis reduces the amount of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) 

All cancer cells produce a compound called VEGF that allows them to create new blood vessels. This is how tumour cells are supplied with oxygen to carry on growing and multiplying these mutant cells.  Because our EC system and Cannabis control our hormone system, it is able to reduce the VEGF in cancer cells by altering the genes that produce this compound. This reduces the tumour’s ability to grow and create its own blood supply. Cannabis finds different ways to overcome and cure most cancers effectively. Cancers become metastatic (spread) when cells begin to break off from the tumour and travel through the bloodstream and settle in another part of the body. Cannabis possesses angiogenetic and anti-angiogenetic properties, which means that Cannabis can quite literally stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, as well as cut off vessels by reducing the VEGF. [186] (Velasco, 2016)

All nine of the above functions of Cannabis in the blood system are possible because of the activity of the EC system in human blood. We have Endocannabinoid receptors on every single blood cell in our bodies and we know that our blood cells can also produce Endocannabinoids. This knowledge is crucial for your health and puts you in a better to position to naturally heal yourself from almost any condition known to the medical world.