Can CBD Assist in the Treatment of Diabetes?

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a part of the cannabis plant. It's one of over 100 compounds found in marijuana and hemp plants, known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are what give cannabis its healing properties.

What is the link between cannabis and diabetes?

In 2014, The American Journal of Medicine published a study that looked at the link between diabetes and marijuana usage among 45,000 patients with type 2 diabetes. They found that cannabis users had lower fasting insulin levels than non-users and smaller waist circumferences compared to those who didn't use.

What are the Potential Effects of CBD on Diabetic Symptoms?

CBD may help with:

• Neuropathy.  A 2016 study found that a daily dose of 150mg of CBD improved symptoms of nerve pain (neuropathy) in patients with diabetes over a period of three months. This was especially true for those who also had high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Inflammation. Chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases, including diabetes and cancer, but it can also cause significant pain and discomfort—especially when trying to sleep at night.  In one study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, researchers found that giving rats injections of CBD reduced swelling by 50 percent within two hours after being injected with an inflammatory agent known as carrageenan. Other studies have shown similar results in humans; these were small studies so more research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn about how well this works for people who suffer from chronic inflammation related conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.

What's the Link Between CBD and Diabetes?

People with diabetes may be able to use CBD to manage symptoms of their condition. Some studies have shown positive results when using CBD for blood sugar control, appetite stimulation and weight loss among people with type 2 diabetes.

Can CBD Treat Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes?

While the jury is still out on whether CBD can treat diabetes, there are many anecdotal reports of people experiencing benefits from using it.

Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are too high due to a lack of insulin or an inability to use insulin properly. There are two types: type 1, which is often referred to as juvenile diabetes because it's usually diagnosed in children and young adults; and type 2, which accounts for 90% of all cases and usually develops in older adults. CBD could potentially help with several symptoms that come with having either type of diabetes, including weight loss (which would be especially useful for those who are overweight), neuropathy (nerve damage causing numbness), tingling sensations or burning sensations in your hands and feet (a symptom called peripheral neuropathy), high cholesterol levels due to stress on your heart muscle tissue caused by elevated blood glucose levels— more research needs to be done on the topic to provide conclusive evidence.

How Can CBD Help with Other Health Conditions Related to Diabetes?

CBD can also help with other health conditions related to diabetes. For example, CBD may be able to help with pain, inflammation, anxiety and depression. Many patients suffering from these issues are likely to have an increase in their blood sugar levels as a result (because stress has been known to cause high blood sugar). This is another reason why CBD could be beneficial for those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes. CBD can also assist with lowering blood pressure and improving heart health as well as your overall cholesterol levels. It’s important not just because cardiovascular disease is one of the most common complications associated with type 2 diabetes but also because it can lead to other serious health problems including kidney disease or even stroke.

How to Use CBD Oil for Your Diabetes Symptoms?

• How to Use CBD Oil

You can take CBD in many different forms, including tinctures, edibles and topical applications. To use a tincture (also called a dropper), place the recommended dose under your tongue for at least 60 seconds before swallowing. If you’re using an edible product such as gummies, it will be labeled with the suggested serving size. Generally speaking though:

• 1 ml is equal to approximately 20 drops
• 1oz. of oil is equal to approximately 600 drops

What Does the Science Say About CBD and Diabetes?

There are no clinical studies on CBD and diabetes. Scientists don't know for sure whether it can help with the symptoms of diabetes, but some research in rats shows that CBD can have beneficial effects on blood glucose levels.

In one study, diabetic rats were given oral doses of CBD once a day for 28 days.  Researchers found that their fasting blood glucose levels dropped significantly by 55%. It's important to note that this was only an animal study, so more research is needed to determine if the same results would occur in humans.

According to a review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2018, cannabidiol can also play a role in reducing weight gain by reducing appetite and improving insulin resistance. This means it could be helpful for people who have Type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, which causes an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes if left untreated.

Cannabidiol might also have an anti-inflammatory effect on nerve endings throughout your entire body by blocking an enzyme called COX2 (cyclooxygenase) from producing pro-inflammatory molecules called eicosanoids (the same molecule produced when you eat spicy food). In fact, some think that this mechanism could be one reason why THC helps relieve neuropathic pain—one common symptom associated with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes—because it blocks COX2 activity as well!

The research into the effects of CBD on diabetes is limited and there are no studies that focus solely on its use for this condition. However, there is some evidence that cannabidiol may help reduce inflammation and ease pain.