Type 2 diabetes is a serious and potentially life-threatening health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While traditional treatments for diabetes can help manage symptoms, there is an increasing interest in exploring the potential benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential treatment option. In this article, we will explore the potential benefits of CBD in treating type 2 diabetes and discuss the current state of research on this topic. We will also discuss potential side effects and safety considerations associated with the use of CBD in treating diabetes. Finally, we will provide some tips on how to make informed decisions when considering CBD as a potential treatment option.
What is the relationship between cannabidiol and diabetes?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, has been studied for its potential to help manage symptoms associated with diabetes. Research has suggested that CBD may help reduce inflammation, which is a major factor in diabetes-related complications. Additionally, CBD may help to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce glucose levels in the blood, and reduce nerve pain associated with diabetes.
Are there any risks or side-effects associated with taking cannabidiol for diabetes?
Yes, there are potential risks and side-effects associated with taking cannabidiol for diabetes. These include low blood sugar, lightheadedness, and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhea. It is important to talk to your doctor about any potential risks before taking any supplement for diabetes.
What are the potential benefits of taking cannabidiol for diabetes?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in the cannabis plant, and preliminary research suggests it may be beneficial in managing diabetes. Potential benefits of taking CBD for diabetes include reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar control and reducing symptoms of neuropathy. Additionally, CBD may help with weight loss, which can be beneficial for those with diabetes.
Is there any scientific evidence that supports the use of cannabidiol for treating diabetes?
Yes, there is some scientific evidence that supports the use of cannabidiol for treating diabetes. Studies have shown that cannabidiol can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which can contribute to the development of diabetes. Additionally, cannabidiol has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood glucose levels in animal studies.
Are there any specific forms of cannabidiol that are recommended for treating diabetes?
Currently, there is no specific form of cannabidiol recommended for treating diabetes. However, some studies suggest that cannabidiol may help manage symptoms of diabetes, such as inflammation, pain, and nerve damage, if taken in the form of an oil, capsule, or edible. Additionally, cannabidiol has been found to reduce fasting insulin levels and improve insulin sensitivity in animal studies. As always, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider before trying any new treatments.
The trendy complementary treatment is rising in popularity. Relieving pain can help alleviate the stress response and improve blood sugar levels, as well as aid sleep, she says. In fact, the prevalence of cannabis use increased by percent among people with diabetes from to , according to a study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence in July , which surveyed people on their use of cannabis CBD or THC, in any form in the previous 30 days. But does it work for treating diabetes? Some healthcare professionals say CBD may have a role to play, but its important to understand that the only health condition CBD has proved effective for is epilepsy in kids. The jury is unfortunately still out, owing to the lack of comprehensive research on CBD and type 2 diabetes. Still, in the aforementioned survey, 78 percent of people used cannabis that was not prescribed by a doctor. Recreational use is another factor. She points to a separate study, published September in the Journal of the American Medical Association , that found that more than 50 percent of people with medical conditions such as diabetes or cancer use cannabis recreationally. In Nevada, where Dr. Brady used to work as a certified diabetes educator, her patients with type 2 diabetes used CBD for nerve pain. She says patients would use CBD in a tincture or in oils that they rubbed on painful areas, including their feet. Patients could buy CBD at medical marijuana dispensaries , which would offer dosing instructions. Ultimately, though, Brady says that her patients reported that CBD reduced their nerve pain and improved their blood sugar. She adds that those people who used CBD oils for nerve pain also reported sleeping better. Heather Jackson, the founder and board president of Realm of Caring in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a nonprofit that focuses on cannabis research and education, senses an interest in CBD within the diabetes community. Callers have questions about CBD for neuropathy pain, joint pain, gastrointestinal issues, and occasionally blood glucose control, according to a spokesperson for Realm of Caring. The organization receives thousands of inquiries about cannabis therapies a month. It keeps a registry of these callers, where they live, and their health conditions. Jackson says that people with type 2 diabetes are not a large percentage of the callers, but they currently have people with diabetes in their database. Jackson says that Realm of Caring does not offer medical advice, and it does not grow or sell cannabis. Instead, it offers education for clients and doctors about cannabis, based on its ever-growing registry of CBD users, their conditions, side effects, and administration regimen. Despite interest among people with type 2 diabetes, large, rigorous studies showing how CBD may affect type 2 diabetes are lacking, says Y. Specifically absent are randomized controlled trials, which are the gold standard of medical research. Early research suggests CBD and diabetes are indeed worth further study. For example, a small study published in October in Diabetes Care in the United Kingdom looked at 62 people with type 2 diabetes and found that CBD did not lower blood glucose. Participants were not on insulin, but some took other diabetes drugs. Other CBD research is still evolving. Still other studies, including one published in the American Journal of Medicine , have looked at marijuana and diabetes, but not CBD specifically. That there are so few studies of CBD in people with type 2 diabetes has to do with a lack of focus on CBD as an individual component. Historically, cannabinoids a group of chemicals in the cannabis plant have been lumped together, including CBD, THC, and more than others. The U. Controlled Substances Act classifies cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug with the highest restrictions. Currently, 33 states and the District of Columbia allow cannabis for medical use and 11 states allow cannabis for recreational use. The Farm Bill removed industrial hemp from the controlled substances list, clearing the way for more production and research of CBD. So, perhaps in the coming years, more research on CBD and diabetes will emerge. Brady says her patients have been open about using CBD, particularly the younger patients. She says one of her older patients was initially uncomfortable about buying CBD in the same shop that sold marijuana but eventually gave in. Brady adds that many people associate CBD with smoking marijuana, despite their distinctly different effects on the body. In April , the FDA stated that it would be taking new steps to evaluate cannabis products, and it held a public hearing about cannabis products in May Sharfstein oversees the office of public health practice and training at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.