Category Archives: Cardiovascular Disease

The effect of hemp product consumption on blood fatty acid profiles and cardiovascular disease risk factors: results of a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial

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“Hemp seeds are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including gamma linolenic acid (GLA), stearidonic acid (SDA), alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA). To date, limited evidence is available on hemp product consumption and particularly hemp seeds and oil in humans and its relation to cardiometabolic risk factors.

The objective of present study was to examine the effects of hemp product consumption versus similar controls on circulating fatty acid profiles and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

A randomized, double-blinded, crossover trial with 30 normoglycemic adults (18-65 years) within a BMI range of 25-35 kg m-2 were included. Participants consumed both hemp products and controlled products over the course of 4 weeks each. As expected, ALA (18:3 n-3), GLA (18:3 n-6) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3 n-6) were elevated after the hemp treatment than controls. Similarly, ALA, DGLA as well as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels were elevated after the hemp treatment than controls. No differences in serum lipid levels, glucose and insulin concentrations, blood pressure, or body composition were observed between treatments.

Overall, consumption of hemp products modulated plasma and RBC fatty acids levels in a way which reflected the fatty acids these products are enriched in, without showing differences in major cardiometabolic risk factors. The present study demonstrated the human fatty acids profile response to consuming hemp products, novel functional foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41782552

“Overall, the present study showed that 4-week consumption of hulled hempseed and hemp oil in overweight individuals increased ALA, GLA, DGLA and EPA relative percentages in plasma and RBC respectively, demonstrating effective incorporation of hemp-derived polyunsaturated fatty acids into long-term lipid pools. These changes occurred without adverse effects on lipid metabolism, vascular function, and/or body composition.

Collectively, these findings support the metabolic safety of hemp products and highlight their potential utility as dietary sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids for improving circulating fatty acid profiles.”

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2026/fo/d5fo04672f

Structural characterization, physicochemical properties and hypolipidemic activity of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) protein hydrolysates prepared via enzyme-microbial synergy

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“This study aims to prepare hemp protein hydrolysate (HPH) with hypolipidemic activity using an enzyme-bacterial synergistic approach and to investigate its mechanism of action.

We found that enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation altered the secondary and tertiary structures of hemp protein (HP). Particularly, the reduction of the α-helical structure and the increase of β-sheet endow HPH with better functional properties.

In vitro experiments demonstrated that HPH exhibited potent inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase and cholesterol esterase, with IC₅₀ values of 1.999 ± 0.142 mg/mL and 3.046 ± 0.102 mg/mL, respectively. In free fatty acid-induced HepG2 cells, high concentrations of HPH reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 39.71%, 30.84%, and 21.94%, respectively, while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 1.4-fold. Additionally, WB results demonstrated that HPH activated the AMPK signaling pathway and regulated the SREBP1/PPARα/HMGCR/PCSK9-LDLR metabolic pathway, ultimately improving intracellular lipid accumulation.

These results demonstrated that HP may be a promising natural source candidate drug for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41763749

“Hemp Protein is an excellent source for the development of hypolipidemic peptides.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996926000293?via%3Dihub

“Hyperlipidemia is a common condition characterized by high levels of lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood, often causing no symptoms but significantly increasing risks of stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular disease.”

Cannabidiol Protects the Heart from Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through SIRT-1/PGC-1α Activation and NF-κB Modulation: Experimental Insights

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“Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury remains a major cause of acute cardiac dysfunction and is characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, has been reported to exert cardioprotective effects; however, its potential association with mitochondrial biogenesis-related signaling pathways remains incompletely understood.

This study aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of CBD in a rat myocardial I/R model and to investigate its possible association with SIRT-1/PGC-1α-related mitochondrial biogenesis and NF-κB-dependent inflammatory signaling.

Forty rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham, I/R, prophylactic CBD, and therapeutic CBD. Myocardial ischemia was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Heart and aortic tissues were evaluated histopathologically, immunohistochemically, biochemically, and genetically to assess oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial biogenesis-related markers. The I/R group exhibited marked myocardial injury characterized by hyperemia, edema, hemorrhage, and inflammatory infiltration, accompanied by elevated vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and NF-κB levels. Conversely, SIRT-1, PGC-1α, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression significantly declined, alongside increased total oxidant status and oxidative stress index.

Prophylactic CBD treatment notably restored myocardial architecture, suppressed inflammatory and apoptotic responses, and enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis. Therapeutic CBD administration also provided partial protection.

CBD confers robust cardioprotection against myocardial I/R injury by activating the SIRT-1/PGC-1α axis, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, and attenuating oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic pathways.

These findings indicated that confers significant cardioprotection against myocardial IR injury and that this protective effect is associated with modulation of SIRT-1/PGC-1α-related mitochondrial biogenesis and NF-κB-dependent inflammatory signaling. Further mechanistic studies are warranted to establish definitive causal relationships.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41696987

https://journals.lww.com/cardiovascularpharm/abstract/9900/cannabidiol_protects_the_heart_from.534.aspx

The relationship between the cannabinoids and cardiac remodelling: A comprehensive review of pivotal mechanisms and emerging evidence

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“Cardiac remodelling and fibrosis after myocardial infarction or during chronic diseases, such as arterial and pulmonary hypertension or diabetes mellitus, continue to be the more important prognostic factors in determining survival, and so the search for effective anti-fibrotic interventions is an important target for research and therapy in cardiology.

It has been suggested that compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (such as cannabinoids) may represent interesting therapeutic alternatives, due to their ability to influence pro-fibrotic signalling and inhibit pathological extracellular matrix deposition in the heart.

This review describes the more important signalling pathways involved in cardiac fibrosis and some new concepts regarding the utility of cannabinoids and modulation of the endocannabinoid system (ESC) as therapeutic interventions against cardiac fibrosis.

The studies presented in this review suggest that specific cannabinoid type 2 receptor activation and peripheral cannabinoid Type 1 receptor blockade appear particularly promising.

The potential for the cardioprotective anti-fibrotic effects of cannabinoids and ECS modulators appears to lie in their high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy, which limits the progression of fibrotic lesions and restores normal regulation of molecular signalling pathways.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41662725

“The studies presented in this review confirm that cannabinoids (especially CBD and β-CP) and modulating the activity of the ECS may be useful therapeutically in states of pathological cardiac remodelling and fibrosis; specific activation of CB2 receptors and peripheral blockade of CB1 receptors seems particularly promising as an adjuvant therapies.

In addition to their anti-fibrotic effects in the course of various diseases, it appears that cannabinoids may improve cardiac regeneration after MI and reduce infarct size, which, given the minimal ability of cardiomyocytes to proliferate after ischaemic damage, may represent a promising direction for modern regenerative medicine to restore the structural and functional integrity of the myocardium.

The greatest potential for the cardioprotective anti-fibrotic effect of cannabinoids and ECS modulators appears to lie in their high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy, which limits the progression of fibrotic changes and restores the normal regulation of molecular signalling pathways.”

https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.70347

Cannabidiol Protects the Neonatal Mouse Heart from Hyperoxia-Induced Injury

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“Neonatal hyperoxia induces oxidative and inflammatory stress that disrupts cardiac maturation and contributes to long-term cardiovascular morbidity in individuals born preterm. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has demonstrated protective effects in neonatal hyperoxic injury in other organs; however, its impact on the developing heart remains unclear.

This study investigated whether CBD mitigates hyperoxia-induced cardiac injury in a neonatal mouse model. Newborn mice were exposed to 80% O2 for 48 h from postnatal day (P)5 to P7 and received vehicle, 10 mg/kg CBD, or 30 mg/kg CBD intraperitoneally, while controls remained in room air. Hearts were collected at P7 or after recovery until P14. Hyperoxia triggered oxidative stress (Nrf2), inflammation (IL1β, TNFα, IL6, CXCL1; p < 0.05), and dysregulated apoptosis/autophagy, leading to reduced cardiomyocyte proliferation (Ki67+ -50% at P14; p < 0.01) and adverse remodeling (hypertrophy, fibrosis; p < 0.01).

CBD attenuated these responses and normalized autophagy (Atg5, Atg12; p < 0.05). Notably, 10 mg/kg CBD, but not 30 mg/kg, preserved proliferative capacity and reduced wall thickness, suggesting a narrow therapeutic window, while both doses limited collagen deposition and apoptosis (Casp3, AIF; p < 0.05). Several effects were sex-dependent, with males exhibiting more pronounced long-term structural and proliferative impairments and greater responsiveness to low-dose CBD.

These findings identify CBD as a potential cardioprotective modulator of neonatal hyperoxia-induced injury and highlight the importance of dose- and sex-specific mechanisms in early cardiac maturation.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41516025

“In summary, this study demonstrates that neonatal hyperoxia induces persistent oxidative, inflammatory, and structural cardiac damage and that CBD administration attenuates these effects in a dose-dependent manner, preserves cardiomyocyte proliferation, and reduces maladaptive remodeling at optimal dosages. These findings underscore the potential of CBD as a cardioprotective intervention in the neonatal period, provided that dosage, timing, and developmental safety are carefully considered. Translation into clinical practice will require rigorous functional, mechanistic, and safety studies. Nonetheless, the present data support further investigation of CBD in the context of neonatal oxygen therapy and cardiac protection.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/1/146

Cannabis use and cardiometabolic risk in schizophrenia

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“Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is common in schizophrenia and drives cardiovascular risk. While cannabis use and potency are increasing, the impact of cannabis on cardiometabolic health in schizophrenia remains unclear. This study assessed the association between objectively measured cannabis use and MetS prevalence in a large schizophrenia cohort.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 988 participants with DSM-IV schizophrenia from the CATIE study. Cannabis use was measured via hair testing for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the gold standard for long-term use detection. MetS was defined per International Diabetes Federation criteria using physical and biochemical data. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and lifestyle confounders, assessed the association between THC use and MetS.

Results: THC-positive participants (14.8 %) exhibited a significantly lower prevalence of MetS compared to non-users (42.5 % vs. 60.5 %, p < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders including age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, and other substance use, cannabis use remained independently associated with reduced odds of MetS (adjusted OR 0.64, 95 %CI 0.44-0.93, p = 0.02). Among MetS components, cannabis users had significantly lower odds of elevated waist circumference after adjustment (adjusted OR 0.61, 95 %CI 0.41-0.91, p = 0.02). Cannabis use was also associated with lower weight, BMI and triglycerides and higher HDL in unadjusted analyses. No significant differences were found in blood pressure or fasting glucose.

Conclusions: In schizophrenia, cannabis use was associated with lower rates of both metabolic syndrome and central obesity. While these findings support emerging evidence of metabolic differences in cannabis users, the cross-sectional design precludes conclusions regarding causality. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify long-term metabolic effects and guide targeted interventions.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41265115

“Cannabis use is associated with better cardiometabolic health in the general population, with users showing lower fasting insulin and glucose levels, reduced waist circumference, lower BMI, reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol compared to non-users.”

“Growing evidence suggests cannabis users with psychotic disorders may have better metabolic health compared to non-users.”

“In summary, our findings demonstrate a significant association between cannabis use and a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome in individuals with schizophrenia.”

https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0920996425004037

Venous Thromboembolism and Coagulation Biomarker Changes in Trauma Patients Using Cannabis

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“Prior studies showed contradictory results regarding the impact of cannabinoids on thromboembolic events in trauma patients. The goal of the study was to investigate the association of cannabinoids to venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Records for all trauma patients admitted to the level one trauma center aged 14 years and above between October 18, 2019 and December 29, 2023 with urine drug screening (UDS) and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results were included for collection. Patients testing positive for cannabinoids and patients testing negative for cannabinoids that were also negative for other illicit drugs and for alcohol were included in the final analysis primarily examining VTE occurrence, along with secondary outcomes in mortality, hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, and coagulation-related biomarkers. One-to-one propensity score matching analysis was performed.

Patient population was mostly white (78.8%), mostly male (71.5%), had a median age of 46, and a median ISS of 17. Out of 302 patients, 226 tested negative and 76 tested positive for cannabinoids. In the matched analysis, no difference was observed in rates of VTE (7.4% vs 4.4%, P = .683) or in platelet count (median [IQR], 260 [215-304] vs 260 [211-306], P = .790). No significant differences were found between the groups on coagulation profiles, complications, or other outcomes.

This study failed to identify significant differences between coagulation-related biomarkers and VTE incidence of adolescent and adult, trauma patients who tested positive for cannabinoids vs those that tested negative for cannabinoids.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41160914/

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00031348251393925

Dietary hempseed and cardiovascular health: nutritional composition, mechanisms and comparison with other seeds

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“Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of global mortality, with dietary habits playing a significant role in its prevention and management.

Hempseed (Cannabis sativa L.) has gained recognition as a functional food due to its rich nutritional profile, including high-quality plant proteins, optimal omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratios, and a variety of bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, phytosterols, and polyphenols.

This review critically evaluates the potential cardioprotective effects of hempseed, focusing on its impact on lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and other cardiometabolic markers.

Preclinical studies suggest that hempseed can improve lipid profiles, reduce blood pressure, and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, though clinical evidence remains limited and findings from animal models may not directly translate to human cardiovascular benefits due to physiological differences between species.

This review further evaluates hempseed’s potential in cardiovascular disease prevention and highlights its potential advantages when compared with other widely consumed seeds (flaxseed and chia seeds), emphasizing its unique fatty acid composition, optimal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, and diverse bioactive compounds. Despite the promising findings, there is a need for long-term randomized controlled trials to establish the efficacy and safety of hempseed in diverse populations.

This review emphasizes the potential of hempseed as a dietary intervention for CVD prevention and calls for further research to optimize its use in clinical and public health settings.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41132555/

“The integration of hempseed into various dietary patterns worldwide offers a versatile and sustainable approach to enhance dietary quality and promote cardiovascular health.”

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1669375/full

The association between cannabis use and electrocardiographic abnormalities in people living with HIV

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“Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people with and without HIV. Among PWoH, cannabis has been associated with cardiovascular outcomes, including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke. However, data on subclinical changes and other cardiovascular outcomes are limited among PWH.

In this study, we examined the association of cannabis use and HIV with electrocardiogram (ECG) findings -evidence of MI, other abnormalities, and normal findings. Data from study visits between 2007 and 2017 from the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (N=3,610) were used. Descriptive statistics were derived, and unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were estimated via baseline logistic regression.

Most participants were PWH (n = 2272, 63%), and 28% reported cannabis use, with no significant difference in prevalence between PWH (27%) and PWoH (28%). Overall, 59% of participants had normal ECG findings.

Cannabis use was not significantly associated with evidence of ECG abnormalities in unadjusted or adjusted analyses (aOR for MI: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.82-1.26, p = 0.85; aOR for other abnormalities: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.80-1.32, p = 0.86). Abnormal findings were more common in females than males (41% vs. 35%, p = 0.0002). Among males, PWH had higher odds of evidence of non-MI abnormalities compared to PWoH (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.81, p = 0.0464).

While cannabis use was not independently associated with evidence of ECG abnormalities, sex and HIV status are important determinants. Future studies should explore the role of cannabis metabolites and usage patterns in cardiovascular outcomes among PWH.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41129190/

https://journals.lww.com/jaids/abstract/9900/the_association_between_cannabis_use_and.735.aspx

Cardiovascular Effects of Cannabidiol: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Implementation

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“Cannabidiol (CBD) and other phytocannabinoids are gaining attention for their therapeutic potential in cardiovascular disease (CVD), the world’s leading cause of death.

This review highlights advances in understanding the endocannabinoid system, including CB1 and CB2 receptors, and the mechanisms by which CBD exerts anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, vasoprotective, and immunomodulatory effects.

Preclinical and translational studies indicate that selective activation of CB2 receptors may attenuate atherogenesis, limit infarct size in ischemia-reperfusion injury, decrease oxidative stress, and lessen chronic inflammation, while avoiding the psychotropic effects linked to CB1.

CBD also acts on multiple molecular targets beyond the CB receptors, affecting redox-sensitive transcription factors, vascular tone, immune function, and endothelial integrity.

Early clinical trials and observational studies suggest that CBD may lower blood pressure, improve endothelial function, and reduce sympatho-excitatory peptides such as catestatin, with a favorable safety profile. However, limited bioavailability, small sample sizes, short study durations, and uncertainty about long-term safety present challenges to its clinical use. Further research is needed to standardize dosing, refine receptor targeting, and clarify the role of the endocannabinoid system in cardiovascular health.

Overall, current evidence supports CBD’s promise as an adjunct in CVD treatment, but broader clinical use requires more rigorous, large-scale studies.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41096874/

“In summary, although cannabinoids have not yet reached clinical maturity for broad implementation in cardiovascular therapeutics, the underlying scientific evidence is promising, and preliminary findings are encouraging. Bridging the translational gap prudently will demand methodologically rigorous, multidisciplinary research efforts, ensuring that any future clinical claims are grounded in robust human evidence.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/19/9610