Cannabis Heart Rate Study Results: Numbers and Risks

Cannabis Heart Rate Study Results: Answer First

Studies show that cannabis with THC raises resting heart rate by 20 to 50 beats per minute. The peak occurs 10 to 30 minutes after use. The effect lasts 2 to 3 hours. CBD alone does not raise heart rate. Some studies show CBD may lower heart rate or have no effect.

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What the Studies Measured

Researchers tracked heart rate in people who smoked, vaped, or ate cannabis. They used ECG and blood pressure monitors. Most studies used a single dose of THC. Doses ranged from 2 mg to 30 mg. Higher doses produced larger heart rate increases.

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Typical Numbers from Studies

• A 1970s study in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that smoking 1% THC cigarettes raised heart rate by 20 to 40 beats per minute.
• A 2016 review in the Journal of the American Heart Association reported a 20 to 50 beat per minute increase after THC.
• A 2023 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found daily cannabis users had a 34% higher risk of heart failure.
• A 2024 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found cannabis use linked to a 25% higher risk of heart attack and a 42% higher risk of stroke.

Time Course of Heart Rate Changes

Heart rate starts to rise within 2 to 5 minutes after smoking or vaping. For edibles, the rise starts 30 to 60 minutes after eating. The peak heart rate occurs at 10 to 30 minutes for inhaled cannabis and 1 to 2 hours for edibles. Heart rate returns to baseline after 2 to 3 hours for inhaled and 4 to 6 hours for edibles.

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Factors That Change the Response

• Dose: 10 mg THC raises heart rate more than 2 mg.
• Route: smoking and vaping produce faster and larger increases than edibles.
• Tolerance: daily users show smaller heart rate increases than first-time users.
• Age: older adults may have a larger increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
• Health status: people with heart disease may have a larger response.

CBD and Heart Rate

CBD does not raise heart rate in most studies. A 2021 review in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that CBD may lower blood pressure and heart rate. Another study found that 600 mg of CBD lowered heart rate during stress tests. CBD may also interact with blood thinners and other drugs.

Risks of a Higher Heart Rate

A heart rate increase of 20 to 50 beats per minute raises oxygen demand in the heart. For people with narrowed arteries, this can cause chest pain or a heart attack. A 2023 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that daily cannabis use was linked to a 34% higher risk of heart failure. A 2024 study in the same journal found that cannabis use was linked to a 25% higher risk of heart attack and a 42% higher risk of stroke. The American Heart Association states that cannabis use may increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

What to Do

Check your pulse before and after cannabis use. If your resting heart rate is above 100 beats per minute, do not use cannabis. If you have heart disease, talk to your doctor before using cannabis. Call 911 if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or a racing heart that does not stop.