AFIB AND MARIJUANA ?

[sweetiepye]

if anyone knows I would appreciate any information you have. I want to use marijuana for my restless legs and insomnia , but I am worried about how it will affect my afib. I t is legal where I live so I wouldn't be getting it from a Doctor. I am very unfamiliar with it but desperate enough to try anything. Pam

[Padayn01]

I personally wouldn’t recommend marijuana it will probably help short term but long term effects could be worse, maybe better off trying CBD oil

[sweetiepye in reply to Padayn01]

I hear you. There are no easy solutions are there. Thank you for taking the time and the good advice. Pam

[Padayn01 in reply to sweetiepye]

Anytime

[PhyllisK in reply to Padayn01]

Would be grateful for more information about the CBD oil?

[Padayn01 in reply to PhyllisK]

I get my oil from

CBD BROTHERS check out there website best on the market

[Hidden in reply to Padayn01]

Hi , hope you don’t mind me jumping in here 😊 what do you do with the CBD OIL forgive my dumbness 🙃 do you rub it around your chest

[jennydog in reply to Hidden]

No. It's either a spray or 2 drops in to your mouth. It tastes vile and it is of very limited use for AF. Save your money

[RayB in reply to Padayn01]

Padayn01,,, May I ask what evidance you are based your reply,, is it anything other than conjecture?

[Padayn01 in reply to RayB]

Personal opinion

[RayB in reply to Padayn01]

So Conjecture! Can you please expand to your assumption?

[Padayn01 in reply to RayB]

I have smoked marijuana In the past for many years and even though it was never for medicinal purposes, I suffer with extreme anxiety many years later and stop smoking anxiety never really got much better until I started doing more natural things like deep breathing every morning, yoga using natural essential oils and so on and things improved over time, I also started using CBD oil for anxiety which got some benefits but nothing long term, I’m not saying that smoking was the sole cause of my anxiety as many other factors in my life could have also contributed also but I knew if I kept on smoking could increase my chances of paranoray and anxiety and that was a risk I wasn’t going to take, and also smoking with tabacco has no befefits to your health what so ever

[RayB in reply to Padayn01]

And where were your getting this substance,,, What strain of Marajuna were you using. Was it just anything you could manage to buy of someone that dropped it to your door.

Do you know anything about the chemistry or componants in Cannabis their uses and actions?

Were you smoking whatever it was you were getting?

[Padayn01 in reply to RayB]

When you say strains you talking about indica and so on?

I use to smoke a mixture of weed and skunk

About the components I knew a little as the years of me using it went on but nothing at the start as I just wanted to get high

[RayB in reply to Padayn01]

I thought as much,, so your just advising on your own extensive experiance of smoking skunk!

Thank you for clarifying that.

[Padayn01 in reply to RayB]

That’s why I said I personally wouldn’t recommend it

[RayB in reply to Padayn01]

Without any balanced imput to your reasoning,,, just I wouldn't if I were you,, going on the fact that you used to smoke skunk to get as high as you possibly could!

[Padayn01 in reply to RayB]

So now you going to give us reasons it could help with AFIB?

[RayB in reply to Padayn01]

I realy think people need to educate themselves a little more deeply than relying on some street dealer selling whatever he can get his hands on to turn a profit,, or the experiances of his customers that just wanted to get high!

Pam lives somewhere it is legal.

she can quite easly try an Indica with a 50/50 ratio of CBD to THC and as high on Terpenes as she can find.

I would certaintly not recomendd smoking it as it disturbes the balance of the componants,, eg much of the componants are evaporated off at lower tempratures and the medicinal effects are distroyed or at least changed.

To take it in an oil form is always better,, it also has a much more extended but low key presence,, so nothing alarming should happen.

When CBD and THC is in roughly equal quantitys you will not get that real high feeling that so many seem to be in search of and if you keep it to indica it has a very relaxing effect,, it is the savata type that is very stimulating with the head games going on.

As long as one is in a place where you cah get it legaly they should not have a problem, she should be able to either walk into a pharmacy or start growing her own.

If she wanted to grow her own perhaps seeds from one of the specialist seed companies like CBD crew whos seeds are produced to grow cannabis that is reasonably low in THC and higher in CBD so one is getting a roughly 50:50 proportion.

There is really no comparason between something like that and puffing the street skunk of a questionable sourse to get high.

Perhaps Pam would be kind enough to report back with her experiance after having tried a well planed strain,, and not just anything she can manage to grab on the streetcorner.

[Padayn01 in reply to RayB]

Let me ask you apart from medicinal purposes why else would you smoke or take marijuana

[RayB in reply to Padayn01]

I don't!

[Padayn01 in reply to RayB]

I don’t what? I’m asking you a question as you seem that you get insulted by the fact that people want to get high when they smoke marijuana

[RayB in reply to Padayn01]

I don't care one little bit about anyone wanting to get high for whatever reasons!

I do however think it rather unfair for someone to speak ill of something when they have such a limited view and even more limited knowledge on.

Lets face it,, you really don't know what it was you were smoking and whatever it was was certaintly not based on anysort of planning other than whatever you happened to get the hold of at a given time.

This is not something I blame you for,,in fact if it were legal the situation would not exist and people would be much more knowledgeable about what they needed as and opposed to what they could get. This situation is a problem that is being caused by govenments thinking they know what is best for you,, not to mention protecting the profits of big pharma and their all to limited yet often toxic and detremental offerings.

[faridaro]

I also live in a place where MM is legal. So during one of the office visits (for afib unrelated issue) I asked my primary care physician how would marijuana affect afib. He phoned to my cardiologist who said that marijuana should not trigger afib so I went ahead and got some tincture at a dispensary. Tried it in small amounts (actually nobody could advise me on the right dose) and my heart was OK.

You can check the following article:

dicardiology.com/content/ma...

[sweetiepye in reply to faridaro]

I was speaking of ingesting it or smoking it. Are you referring to the oil ?

[faridaro in reply to sweetiepye]

Yes, it was the oil which I was instructed to squeeze under the tongue. Actually when I talked to the doctor I didn't know anything about different forms. So I went to a dispensary and they had oils only.

[Jafib in reply to faridaro]

But the oil you used was not just CBD, correct? The tinctures have the THC as well I believe. Otherwise you wouldn’t need to Have it prescribed by a doctor.

[faridaro in reply to Jafib]

Yes, it was a mixture of CBD and THC 1:1.

[Hidden in reply to faridaro]

If it increases blood pressure as the article seems to imply it probably isn’t a good idea unti it’s been more thoroughly tested. There is an article in last week’s New Scientist which says that it’s benefits may have been overestimated.

[hartbeast]

I live in a medical marijuana state, as well, and got it to help with insomnia. Marijuana does speed up heart rate, and in me unfortunately, also triggered afib episodes twice. So I switched to pure CBD oil, which is very helpful. I do use cannabis CBD oil instead of hemp CBD, because of reading that the natural terpenes in the cannabis make the CBD more potent and useful. By the way, I smoked a lot of the stuff in my youth, but plan to keep my distance since my Afib diagnosis, as I find the increased heart rate to be very uncomfortable, even if it didn’t trigger Afib. However, I understand everyone is different in this regard, and many people with AFib suffer no ill affects.

[Jafib]

How about marijuana or CBD interactions with Eliquis?

[sweetiepye in reply to Jafib]

OH NO! I hadn't thought of that. Just shoot me now.

[Jafib in reply to sweetiepye]

I had an ablation last December and my heart is mostly quiet now. I now take only two meds - Eliquis and Atorvistatin. The hardest thing for me to deal with has been migraines. While researching what I could do for the headaches I found that there are so many medicines and supplements that interact with drugs like Eliquis. It is quite frustrating. Good luck!

[hartbeast in reply to Jafib]

My doctor said CND was OK with Eliquis. There have been studies that say that CBD has the same effect that grapefruit does, so if your doctor recommends no grapefruit with your meds, then you also shouldn’t have CBD. I understand that grapefruit is definitely a problem with warfarin, and some studies say you should be careful about excessive grapefruit ingestion even with NOACs like Eliquis.

[CDreamer]

Have you tried taking a Magnesium supplement? RLS can be caused by Mg deficiency. Magnesium deficiency can cause RLS, insomnia and AF.

I have a condition which causes RLS - my muscles spasm and twitch and I found that using a good quality Magnesium oil spray solved the problem. I no longer have insomnia either but that was another story!

[Mari4325 in reply to CDreamer]

How do you use the magnesium oil? Spray it where in particular? I had tried magnesium tablets but they are too hard on my stomach...thank you..

[Auriculaire in reply to Mari4325]

What type of magnesium have you used. Some have a much stronger effect on the digestion than others. Magnesium malate ,taurate and biglycinate do not have as strong an effect as magnesium oxide or citrate.

[CDreamer in reply to Mari4325]

Usually on my legs because they spasm the worst. It comes as a spray - 2-3 squirts helps for me. I can’t take any oral Magnesium.

[Pamuella]

Hi Pam I have CBD all the time it does not hurt my afib may help with your restless legs, will help with insomnia, I have been taking it for four years just put a small amount under your tongue. Read up about Charlottes web , Stanley Brothers research where you can get it in Europe

Best Wishes

Pam

[Alessa69]

Like CDreamer, I was going to suggest taking a Magnesium supplement as well. My husband has RLS as well as Cardiac issues, I just have AF related Cardiac issues , we both find Magnesium very helpful on all fronts . Check out Dr Sanjay Gupta ‘s videos on YouTube and Facebook, York Cardiology ( not the American Dr Sanjay Gupta, as he’s a different discipline physician) You will find an article link on this site, think it was around last September, when I joined. Important thing is which type/ quality magnesium supplement, don’t go for Magnesium Oxide . We take a good quality Magnesium Citrate at the moment , but I know that Dr Gupta recommends Magnesium Taurate . His videos are very informative and helpful, not sure though whether there is one on CBD Oil/ Cannabis . Good Luck, let us know how you get on

[Norbu]

Hey there,

I'm in the same boat as you and I was desperate for sleep so I sought out the help of MM for both insomnia and rls. I'm fairly sensitive to certain meds that have definitely triggered afib for me. Opiates being a definite trigger so I stick to otc pain remedies. I have no problem with MM and afib. I use in a variety of forms...usually vape to get closer to sleep and oral liquid to kick in later after I've fallen asleep. I had an accidental dosage test as well...I mistakenly took a much larger dose of liquid THC (RSO...stay away if you are new like I was) drops which had an unfortunately massive physical and psychedelic effect...very distressing...but still no afib. I like having access to a natural medicinal for sleep rather than relying on benadryl or other chemical solutions. On the other hand...as wonderful as CBD is...it doesn't put me to sleep at all..even in large doses. A few mgs of THC however work well. Good luck....I know the misery of perpetual insomnia.

[Hambo444]

I remember the first time I went into hospital with a-fib - one of the first questions they asked me was whether I had smoked marijuana (assume it's a trigger?)

[sweetiepye in reply to Hambo444]

who knew? I need to have a hissy fit. I'm tired of afib, RLS, insomnia, diabetes, and old. I'm sick of my stupid Doctors and I don't like President Trump . I feel a little better. Aren't you glad you walked into this ? Sorry. Pam

[ThinkHealth1 in reply to sweetiepye]

Hi Sweetiepye, I know how you feel. I got Lyme Disease three times in two years....with it came Afib and psoriasis. My doctor suggested vitamin D gel caps before bed for trouble sleeping and it helps. I also add passion flower sometimes, and take it during the day when anxiety strikes. The magnesium I take is magnesium glycinate capsules. No more stomach issues.

[sweetiepye in reply to ThinkHealth1]

I'm going to try the magnesium. It seems like several people who responded use it with good results. Thank you. Pam

[Bambi65]

havent tried it since college (many many years ago) However a couple years ago, after being diagnosed with Afib, my sister suggested trying some as it wouldnt affect my heart at all. Within 30 minutes of injesting I went into afib. Havent tried anything since. Some people swear by it and some, well, it does not work. Individual bodies.

[Claer]

Hard to make a call on CBD since each person may react differently (as with all drugs/supplements, no?). It is very gentle and it may help to relax. It seems to have helped me sleep longer and reduce insomnia. I have PAF with very few episodes as long as I do not drink alcohol or experience too much stress. I received a warning from the supplier of CBD, that if you take blood thinners you should not take CBD oil. (They were careful to go over health issues with me) That is the caveat. I cannot take blood thinners due to another health issue. Apparently, CBD has some thinning qualities. They usually start you on a lower dosage, then increase to CBD with THC in very small quantity that, in my state, is legal. (A medical marijuana state).

[Mary-miles in reply to Claer]

If CBD acts as a blood thinner then why do we have to take anti coagulants that have side effects .If they ever want to do a study of the effects of CBD and reduced stroke risk I would try it.It never helped me to sleep and I was concerned about it thinning the blood so would not try it again However I was desperate for sleep.A lot more studies are needed to prove anything

[Daver112]

I'm 76 and use weed occasionally. Helps me sleep but also use it for fun too sparingly from time to time with no problems ever directly attributed to A=fib. i.e. I'm not saying I recommend it or endorse it but never a problem as some have claimed.

[Anafib]

I read this about cbd and how it can react with coumadin . health.harvard.edu/blog/can...

[CookieinAL]

Pam, have you been tested for sleep issues? My EP insisted that I have a sleep study. Some of the questions they ask address the inability to stay asleep and restless legs, Mught be worth asking about.

[sweetiepye in reply to CookieinAL]

I've had 5 sleep studies.

[Riversmom1]

Absolutely I would stay away from the marijuana. As a prior user, I know from experience that it triggers extremely rapid heart rate. Since having insomnia for several years now and then the A Fib, I tried the cbd oil and it exacerbated palpitations, didn't go into A Fib on it but felt horrible and my heart rate was sky high at night after taking it. I stopped when I found out it should not be used while taking eliquis. good suggestion above to try magnesium at bed time and also Glycine, 1000 mg or more to help with sleep. Perhaps it may work for others but not worth the risk to me with everything else going on.

[sweetiepye in reply to Riversmom1]

I won't use anything that might have even a possibility of causing afib. I also have SVT so I avoid fast heart rates. Yhanks for your help.

[Red1183]

I had afib dating all the way back to the days when I smoked pot. Smoking would actually put me into afib on occasion. I would caution you about CBD oil. Though there are a vast amount of potential benefits, one of the side effects is increased HR. Take it from a nurse; use caution

[solarjdo69]

I tried it too for relief but it clogs up my sinuses worse which makes me snore more at night which definitely worsens the afib. My advice would be no.

[HiloHairy]

I live in Hawaii where it's legal for medical and California where it's legal for any purpose. I use it for insomnia and it has no effect whatsoever on my AFib. I have a kardia device and have measured a slight increase in my heart rate. If I took a huge dose I could see it possibly starting an A-fib event but with a little common sense it's just not an issue. For afib I have to be more careful about salt in restaurant meals than I do about indica marijuana.

I find the slant of this thread to be unfortunate as I feel that the right THC / CBD product can be a help to many without triggering their afib.

For those still interested the only caution I would give is that for a beginner to start by trying no more than a quarter of the dose that's recommended on the package or by the clerk at the dispensary and to go up to a higher dose only as needed.

[HiloHairy]

Then there's;

☰

Marijuana Use Does Not Increase Risk of Arrhythmias, Might Reduce AFib Risk

dicardiology.com/content/di...

[sweetiepye in reply to HiloHairy]

Excellent web site. So much information. Thank you. Pam

[cloeknox]

Everything is quite individual here, so I strongly recommend that you consult a doctor if you still want to use this method.

Based on my experience, I will say that there is nothing wrong with this if you follow the rules and do not get carried away. I use weed as a sedative, and it generally helps me.

And I decided that I should help others in this way, so I started producing weed in dispensaries. Management is so thoughtful that reports are generated with the click of a button — parsl.co/dispensaries/. And I can always track the quality of the goods.

This is how I share my experience with people and try to help.