Condition
Postural Syncope
Postural syncope is fainting or near-fainting when blood pressure drops on standing, so too little blood reaches the brain and causes dizziness or falls. Among supplements, sodium and electrolytes have the strongest, moderate evidence, with symptoms easing in studies of about 800 people, possibly because they expand blood volume. Evidence for vitamin B12 and others is limited, and one small study of 29 people found mixed blood pressure effects with cannabis.
Sources: PMID 1529742
- Supplements studied
- 1
- Graded outcomes
- 1
- Trials
- 1
- People studied
- 29
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Pressure Mixed effect | 1 study | 29 people | ||||
Studies that measured blood pressure | ||||||
| Heart Rate | Improves (the measure goes down) | 4 studies | 29 people | |||
| Orthostatic Hypotension Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 29 people | |||
Studies that measured orthostatic hypotension symptoms | ||||||
| Cerebral Blood Flow | Improves (the measure goes up) | 29 people | ||||
| Dizziness | Improves (the measure goes up) | 29 people | ||||
Key findings
- Blood Pressure
The Postural Syncope (Orthostatic Hypotension) Support protocol
2 primary supplements · 4 supporting supplements
- Sodium/ElectrolytesIncrease dietary sodium to 3–5 g daily with 2–3 L fluids; electrolyte beverages
- Vitamin B121,000–2,000 mcg daily (methylcobalamin)
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Postural Syncope. If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.
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Studies cited
6 studies from PubMed
- Postural syncope after marijuana: a transcranial Doppler study of the hemodynamics
- Middle cerebral artery velocity during upright posture after marijuana smoking
- The effects of smoking marihuana on physical performance
- Regional cerebral blood flow after marijuana smoking
- Effect of marihuana on intraocular and blood pressure in glaucoma
- Effects of acute marijuana smoking on pulse rate and mood states in women