Does CBD Lower Cholesterol? What the Research Actually Shows

Can cannabis help balance your cholesterol? Not as far as anyone can prove yet: there's no solid clinical evidence that CBD or any other cannabinoid lowers cholesterol in people. A handful of cell and animal studies hint at an effect, which is why researchers keep digging, but for now diet, exercise and your doctor's plan are what actually move the numbers.

Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) in your blood that your body needs for a bunch of functions, but when your levels get out of whack it can lead to serious problems like heart disease and stroke.

Early research suggests that certain compounds in cannabis, especially cannabidiol (CBD), might have a positive effect on cholesterol. That said, this is a complicated field that's still taking shape, and the current evidence deserves a careful look before anyone gets excited.

Below, we walk through how cannabis might influence cholesterol levels and what the research says so far about its potential to help keep this key blood component in a healthy range.

Can CBD regulate cholesterol? What the science says

Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound derived from cannabis, has been the subject of tons of research into its potential therapeutic benefits. One area that's drawn a lot of attention is how it affects cholesterol and heart health.

High cholesterol is a common health problem and a major risk factor for heart disease. Some recent research suggests CBD might play a role in regulating cholesterol and supporting cardiovascular health.

CBD and heart health

CBD has shown some potential for supporting cardiovascular health, which could indirectly help with cholesterol management. A study published in 2012 indicated that CBD may have positive effects on the heart, which in turn could influence cholesterol levels.

It's worth stressing, though, that this research looked at CBD and cardiovascular health in general, not specifically at lowering cholesterol.

Does CBD lower cholesterol?

Right now, there's no conclusive clinical evidence that CBD directly lowers cholesterol levels. Even so, some studies suggest CBD may support cardiovascular health, which could have a knock-on benefit for cholesterol.

For example, a 2011 study looked at CBD and the genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and found that CBD might help modulate cholesterol homeostasis (the body's balancing act) in microglial cells, a type of immune cell in the brain.

What these findings do and don't mean for patients

Promising as these results are, they don't carry enough clinical weight to recommend CBD as a treatment for lowering cholesterol. Research in this area is still at an early stage, and a lot more evidence is needed before anyone can make firm claims.

Bottom line: don't swap your regular cholesterol medication for CBD without a healthcare professional in the loop.

Early research suggests CBD could have some benefits for heart health, possibly including a positive effect on cholesterol, but there still isn't enough clinical evidence to back it as a specific treatment for high cholesterol.

More research is needed to fully understand how CBD affects cholesterol and cardiovascular health. For now, any use of CBD for cholesterol control should be cautious and guided by a doctor.

How to balance your cholesterol (what actually works)

Your cholesterol balance comes down to a mix of genetics and lifestyle. Down the road, studies on the endocannabinoid system (the body's network of cannabinoid receptors) and cholesterol could open up new ways to manage it. But while that research is still preclinical, there are proven steps you can take to keep your levels in check.

Lifestyle and genetics

Healthy cholesterol levels depend largely on your genes and your daily habits. Here are some effective ways to keep cholesterol balanced:

1. Eat a healthy diet:
   • Cut back on saturated fat: Limit foods high in saturated fat, like red meat and full-fat dairy.
   • Avoid trans fats: Found in processed and fried foods, these fats can raise your LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
   • Eat more fiber: Fiber-rich foods like fruit, vegetables, beans and whole grains can help lower LDL cholesterol.
2. Keep a healthy weight:
   • Carrying extra weight can push cholesterol up. Even moderate weight loss can improve your cholesterol profile.
3. Exercise regularly:
   • Aerobic exercise: Walking, running, swimming and biking all help. Aerobic exercise can lower LDL and triglycerides while raising HDL ("good") cholesterol.
4. Don't smoke:
   • Smoking is bad for your cardiovascular health across the board and can lower HDL cholesterol. If you use cannabis, it's better not to smoke it. Consider alternatives like oils, edibles or vaping.
5. Go easy on animal products:
   • Too much meat, eggs, cheese and other dairy can raise cholesterol. Lean toward plant-based protein and low-fat dairy.

Medical cannabis and cholesterol: where research is headed

Researchers are looking into whether cannabis or specific cannabinoids could help control cholesterol. Current studies are still early, but the idea that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in cholesterol balance is a promising one. Until there's more evidence, stick with the proven methods above.

The takeaway on cholesterol

Keeping cholesterol in a healthy range takes a whole-picture approach: a balanced diet, regular exercise, a healthy weight and no tobacco. Research on cannabis and cholesterol is promising, but it pays to focus on well-established strategies while the science catches up. Build these habits to improve your cholesterol profile and your heart health overall.

CBD and cholesterol: what the animal studies found

Using cannabidiol (CBD) to treat cholesterol has been the subject of several studies, including an independent 2017 study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Science. It looked at how CBD affected wild-type and transgenic rats, with interesting but limited results.

Results of the animal study

In wild-type rats, CBD actually raised cholesterol levels. In transgenic rats, though, CBD didn't have the same effect. The researchers suggest that's probably because the transgenic rats already had higher cholesterol levels.

The study also looked at CBD and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and found that HDL-C ("good" cholesterol) concentration rose by 55%, while total cholesterol dropped by more than 25%, after four weeks of CBD treatment in obese mice. Those mice got a dose of 3 mg of CBD per kg of body weight.

Limitations and why more research is needed

As promising as these results look, current research doesn't provide enough evidence to apply them directly to humans. Animal studies don't always translate accurately to people because of the biological differences between species.

That's why more extensive, human-focused research is needed to figure out whether there's a clear physiological link between CBD and cholesterol regulation. That means controlled clinical trials and long-term studies looking at how safe and effective CBD is for lowering cholesterol in people.

Final word on medical cannabis for cholesterol

Research on CBD and cholesterol has turned up interesting results in animal models, suggesting HDL cholesterol might rise and total cholesterol might drop in some cases.

But until there's more research in humans, there's no way to confirm that CBD regulates cholesterol in people. Keep an eye on new developments in the field, and always talk to a healthcare professional before adding CBD to your cholesterol treatment plan.