What’s the Connection Between Marijuana and Blood Pressure?

June 8, 2021

Harmony Place Team

Suffering from high blood pressure can be problematic and dangerous in some cases. There are many different factors that impact a person’s blood pressure, one of which is drug use. As one of the most popular drugs used around the world, marijuana can indirectly impact a person’s blood pressure. Over time, a potential connection has been found between marijuana and blood pressure.

Having high blood pressure can be the cause of serious problems and complications like stroke, heart disease, and heart failure. With the help of healthy habits and exercise, people can manage their blood pressure. When it comes to marijuana and blood pressure, many people don’t know the potentially dangerous connection. So does marijuana affect blood pressure? We’ll be taking a look at this connection and how you or a loved one can get help today!

Understanding Blood Pressure

Before understanding the connection between marijuana and blood pressure, one must first understand blood pressure. Blood pressure refers to the force with which blood travels through the arteries (pumped from the heart). Blood pressure is usually read through two stacked numbers. The top number is a person’s systolic blood pressure (the amount of pressure when the heart is contracting). The bottom number is a person’s diastolic blood pressure (or pressure between heartbeats).

Knowing one’s blood pressure is very important. A healthy blood pressure reading is usually around 120/80 or lower. If a person has high blood pressure and does not make the necessary changes to their lifestyle they can end up paying the price down the line. With this in mind, knowing how marijuana and blood pressure are connected is also important for a person’s health.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure simply means that the force of blood pushing against the body’s artery walls is high. When it comes to a high blood pressure reading, it will typically be around 140/90 or higher. One of the scary things about blood pressure is a person may not feel any symptoms at all. This is why having high blood pressure is regarded as ‘the silent killer’ in some cases. Even if a person feels no symptoms, there remains the risk of future medical problems and diseases.

If a person fails to take care of their blood pressure they may experience several long-term health problems, these may include:

Stroke
Kidney disease
Heart attack
Heart disease
Heart failure
Vascular dementia

There are just a few of the medical complications that can arise from high blood pressure. It is recommended to make healthy lifestyle changes to avoid problems down the line. This includes quitting drug use such as marijuana and other drugs. If you or a loved one is struggling with drug abuse or addiction, Harmony Place is here to help.

Does Marijuana Increase Blood Pressure After Chronic Use?

When it comes to answering the question – does marijuana affect blood pressure? There may be a wide range of answers. With this in mind, many studies have come to the conclusion that marijuana can affect blood pressure. However, certain factors impact how much marijuana affects a person’s blood pressure.

Those who use large quantities of marijuana on a frequent basis may be more vulnerable to high blood pressure. When it comes to quantity and frequency of use, there is a solid connection between marijuana and blood pressure. This is why it’s best to steer clear of using high doses of marijuana.

In some cases, marijuana can actually decrease blood pressure as well. This is associated with a shift in blood pressure called orthostatic hypotension. However, a person who experiences orthostatic hypotension may still have high blood pressure.

The Connection Between Marijuana and Blood Pressure

While research is continuing to be done on the long-term effects of marijuana, researchers have shown an indirect connection between marijuana and blood pressure. This connection is sometimes evident through some of the habits that develop from chronic marijuana use. Those who use marijuana tend to have a highly increased appetite. This can end up being an impulsive habit of junk food (salty and fatty foods). Unhealthy food habits can cause high blood pressure in the long term.

It’s important to understand the risks of using marijuana on a frequent basis. Constant marijuana use can increase your chances of future cardiovascular problems and high blood pressure. If a person already has high blood pressure, it can be risky to continue using marijuana. While the connection between marijuana and blood pressure continues to be explored, the impact may be unpredictable. It’s important to consult with a doctor to make sure it is safe for use.

The Symptoms of Marijuana Use

There are a lot of different effects and risks that come with using marijuana on a frequent basis. While the idea of marijuana addiction is one that some may refute, there is a clear indication of dependence when it comes to marijuana use. As one of the most popular depressants out there today, marijuana has distinct effects on a person’s health. While Marijuana is not nearly as problematic as other drugs like heroin or alcohol, it can have effects.

Marijuana use can cause problems like respiratory problems and cognitive problems down the line. Not to mention the possible connection between marijuana and blood pressure. Some of the short-term and long term effects of marijuana use include the following:

Anxiety
Agitation
Insomnia
Impaired coordination
Cardiovascular problems
Short term memory problems
Increased heart rate (in certain cases)

Some Long-term effects of marijuana use may include:

Legal issues
Financial problems
Dependence/addiction
A decline in cognitive function
Possibility for memory problems
Decreased performance at school/work

Getting Rehab Treatment for Drug Addiction at Harmony Place in Los Angeles, California

The connection between blood pressure and marijuana is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many different behavioral and health-related issues that may arise after chronic marijuana use. However, marijuana is just one of many drugs that can create issues for a person and their entire family. Drug addiction continues to be a devastating and problematic situation across the globe.

Fortunately, there is a way to get proper treatment from a qualified team. Harmony Place is here to help you and your loved ones get to a better place. It is never too late to turn things around. Fortunately, there are many different programs available to help get a person to sobriety. With patience and the right level of guidance, sobriety is possible and achievable.

Many addiction treatment programs begin with detoxification and move onto more personalized therapy methods. While each case of addiction is different, there is always a treatment program that’ll fit a person’s needs and preferences. Whatever program works best, it is important to stick with it and get the help that’s needed. Let’s take a look at some of our common addiction treatment programs:

Drug and Alcohol Medical Detox Programs

Detoxification refers to the process of purging the body of toxic substances. Whether this is marijuana, alcohol, or any other substance/drug. This is an important part of the process and sets up a person for successful treatment. A medically supervised detox is also recommended, it is not advised to detox alone. This is because drug detox can be an unpredictable and potentially dangerous process if done without the proper help. Harmony Place offers a safe and effective environment for a successful medical detox.

Residential Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Residential treatment (or inpatient treatment) is usually the next step in the addiction treatment process. This type of treatment allows patients to stay in a facility for a period of time. During this period, a person will get help from staff, counselors, and therapists in a personalized treatment plan.

Residential treatment is preferred because it provides around-the-clock support for those who are recovering from addiction. This gives a person the ease of mind to focus on treatment without having to worry about anything else.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment Programs

Outpatient treatment is also a commonly used method of treatment and differs from inpatient treatment. While in outpatient addiction treatment, individuals attend therapy sessions on a weekly basis instead of living in the rehab center. This allows for an extra level of convenience as a person can still work and go to school while still getting help.

24/7 support isn’t necessarily a part of outpatient rehab as it is with residential treatment. This is why outpatient treatment is more suitable for milder cases of addiction or after residential treatment. At the start of your journey, we’ll help you choose which method is better for you.

Start the Journey at Harmony Place in Los Angeles, CA

Understanding the connection between marijuana and blood pressure, as well as its other effects, is only the first step toward addressing substance use issues. Recognizing when you or a loved one needs professional help is crucial. At Harmony Place, we provide a personalized and secure environment for addiction treatment, focusing on the comprehensive healing of mind, body, and spirit. Whether you’re concerned about the cost of drug and alcohol rehab, exploring how much detoxification costs, or looking into IOP or PHP payment costs, we are here to guide you through every step of your recovery journey.

We understand that financial aspects can be a significant concern. Harmony Place accepts health insurance from a range of providers, including Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Elevance Health, and Carelon. Whether you’re questioning if insurance covers rehab, seeking specifics like Anthem BCBS drug rehab coverage or Aetna rehab coverage, our team is dedicated to making your path to recovery as accessible as possible. Don’t hesitate to begin your journey to health and happiness today—give us a call, and we’ll help you access the resources you need.

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Joseph S

This place is incredible, kind, loving, patient, rigorous, educative, caring and the best place for recovery. Ill be part of the alumni crew

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I had very good experience at Harmony Place From first day I came, staff was very kind and make me feel welcome and safe. Everyone was friendly and always try to help me. The therapists are very good and caring. They listen to me and help me understand my problems better. I learn many things from them and feel stronger because of their support. The nurses also very nice and professional. They always check on me and make sure I am okay. Food was good and facilities were clean and comfortable. It help me feel more relaxed and focus on my recovery. Management also doing very good job. Everything was organized and you can see they really care about patients. I am very thankful for this place and all the people who work here. I recommend this center to anyone who needs help.

Denton

Awesome place great people u want to check this place out most definitely 😜

Tyler

A treatment center where the owners truly care about your recovery and after care.. cannot recommend enough

Jodana S

If you want to detox painlessly this is the place! The staff is A1. They truly care about us. The groups are awesome . Residential is crazy awesome! You live in a mansion. With a private chef who makes the best food. Community meeting that gets results fast, they care about your opinions. Pool and Jacuzzi are beautiful. If your struggling with addiction this is the house you should come to. I LOVE HARMONY PLACE!!!!! Thank you to all the staff they go above and beyond to make this experience comfortable therapeutic. Don't spend another day in your addiction come to Harmony Place right now!

Cass

I’ve been to 4 treatment centers before Harmony Place, and I can tell you without a single doubt that this is the absolute best by FAR. The past ones were luxury Residential Treatment centers that just treated every single client the same not tailoring to each individual, and were basically just in it for the money, dropping the ball each time. I can also tell you that I’ve never met the CEOs, but here, David comes to the facility almost every single day, and makes sure he get to know every individual here. He is incredibly kind, and was even willing to transfer me to another facility with a higher level of trauma therapy due to me having a lifetime of trauma and PTSD that just is going to take a long time to tackle. He truly cares about all of the clients having all of the tools that we need before getting released to the real world. No more of other CEO would ever be willing to miss an opportunity at making more money and even paired with my IMPECCABLE case manager to find a different facility that was more trauma based. My case manager, Sam, goes absolutely above and beyond in every single aspect. She makes sure you have a smooth transition into aftercare, provides out of this world advice when it comes to sobriety, and takes the time out of her day to make sure that FMLA and short-term disability are completely taken care of during your stay. I’ve never met a case manager that could ever compare to Sam. Ever. I feel lucky to have met her, genuinely. Marissa, my therapist, is SO SWEET, actually listens to you, and provides advice and therapy tailored to each individual’s experience. She’s handled every mood I’ve been in, never judged me, and allowed me to feel safe enough to tell her things I’ve never told any person or therapist in my 29 years of life. I’ve been going to therapy for the past 15 years, and none of those therapists even come close to how amazing she is. I’ve been to 4 other treatment centers in my life and none even come close to Harmony Place. The facility is clean, organized, and high-end. I would recommend Harmony place to my family, friends, and anyone seeking treatment. I feel SO BLESSED to have landed in their hands. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THE CLINICAL STAFF BEYOND WORDS. I love you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I feel more confident than ever in my Recovery.

Gabe H

Where to begin.. Harmony is a place that will forever be a part of my story as the first step in my recovery journey. I’m so grateful for this program. The staff is very friendly, and many of them understand what addiction is like, for they themselves have recovery stories of their own. They have an awesome team of therapists, group facilitators, nurses, RA technicians, medical and health professionals, a wonderful case manager for aftercare that cares deeply for your next steps; making sure you are set up for success. They have a wonderful admissions team (shoutout to Marielle who was so kind and understanding of my messed up situation). Everyone is very relatable and friendly. They invest heavily in the importance of diet and nutrition too - there’s a full time professional chef. I gained all the weight I lost and wanted back in the first two weeks lol. On top of the intensive programming they do throughout the day, they take us out to experience various kinds of outside groups to get a taste of the real world, and also take us on social outings during the weekend. If you’re serious about getting better this place will meet you where you’re at and prepare you to launch with a renewed mind and heart.

Monica P

I can't begin to explain just how amazing Harmony Place is. In fact, when we sit down with the owner, Jeff, and clinical director, David, on Monday mornings to have a house meeting, they ask us what they could be doing better. A bigger blender for smoothies is the ONLY thing we could come up with. Let me begin by addressing some negative reviews. If you notice many of them are from people, or are referring to people who have been asked to leave. It is because of harmony places protection of their clients that provide ideal conditions for healing and progress. There is a screening process that it is implemented where they make sure the clients they admit are ready to start a life of sobriety. Some people slip through the cracks. Some people find out a few days or weeks in that they've changed their minds. Some are inappropriate and break rules. It happens. When Harmony Place ask people to leave, It's because they are protecting the people who are here that want treatment. In effect, they're providing exactly what I needed for a genuine start to recovery. When I began my search for a treatment center, my requirements were that the facility's provide an environment in which its residents all want to be there and that it is ethically ran. I got that and so much more at Harmony Place. As well as a structured routine, they also provide a confidential and nurturing environment where one feels safe and where profound healing can begin. Their program offers a sound foundation where further progress in sober living is almost guaranteed. In group meetings, we enjoy getting to know ourselves again and with deeper understanding about why we are the way we are. We are provided with skills to handle real life. Its here that I've come to understand that its not addiction that has driven me to make a mess of my life. It is the trauma that I endured and not processing it correctly that lead to poor thinking patterns that opened the door to addiction resulting in poor life management. So we start at the bottom. Trauma. They help us understand that trauma has led to our own toxicity, what that trauma looks like and how to get out of our own way. Process groups help us learn how to take accountability and foster healthier relationships. I learned here that changing the way I think is absolutely possible and imperative to the healing process. Harmony Place offered me hope when I previously felt I was unfixable and a support team that truly loves me. Even after I leave here, I have contacts that almost demand I keep in touch and an alumni meeting where I can return to the facility on Thursday nights. I wasn't a 12 stepper when I came here but my first experience with it was not one where I was ready to stop using. I understand now that the steps will work for me. It's certainly is not the only modality that they teach. In one group, we are provided an opportunity to sit with a recently retired medical doctor to just ask questions. Another is with a nutritionist. There are a handful of people IN recovery that come to lead groups that are all accredited highly specialized where I felt understood and not judged. The knowledge I have gained here is life changing. It is also versatile and relatable for all types of people. my favorite group was dialectical behavioral therapy. There are breathing classes and sound bath groups and I started doing yoga in the morning. There's a dharma meeting they take you offsite that focuses on Buddhist values. A fantastic onsight chef provides three meals and you can have special requests. We facilitated our own Movie nights during free time. I cant forget to mention you get your own one on one meetings with your assigned primary therapist and there is comprehensive medical support complete with 24/7 nurses and a doctor that shows up throughout the week. If this is what you need to recover and you have mediCAL, cancel your mediCAL and get insurance Harmony Place accepts if you can. There are people to help you with that as well. Just call. Many, many thanks to the staff. ✔️Another life changed.🙏

Cody B

This is such an amazing place truly changed my life. I would recommend this place to anybody if they’re looking for a strong recovery house that truly cares about your recovery and not about just money So if you’re ready to change your life, don’t miss out on the greatness of harmony because this place is where it’s at