The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been a controversial topic for decades. However, recent studies are beginning to shed light on the potential benefits of marijuana for people with diabetes. This article will explore the potential of marijuana to help reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes and to provide relief from symptoms such as chronic pain, inflammation, and nausea. We will also discuss the safety of marijuana use and potential side effects. Finally, we will address the legal implications of marijuana use as it relates to diabetes.
What evidence is there that marijuana can help improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes?
Recent studies have found that marijuana may help improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. The active compounds in marijuana, called cannabinoids, have been found to reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. This can help people with diabetes better regulate their blood sugar levels. Additionally, marijuana may help reduce the risk of obesity, which is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Does CBD (Cannabidiol) have any effects on diabetes symptoms?
Marijuana has been found to help people with diabetes manage their symptoms in several ways. Studies have shown that CBD, or Cannabidiol, can help to reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar levels, and reduce stress and anxiety, which are all common issues faced by those with diabetes. Additionally, CBD has been found to help improve circulation, which is essential for people with diabetes who may have reduced circulation in their extremities. Finally, CBD also has the ability to improve sleep, which is essential for people with diabetes who may be struggling to get a good night’s rest.
Are there potential side effects from using marijuana to manage diabetes?
Yes, there are potential side effects from using marijuana to manage diabetes. Marijuana can lower blood sugar levels, as well as increase appetite, which can lead to overeating, weight gain, and increased risk for hypoglycemia. Additionally, marijuana can impair coordination, memory, and judgement, which can make it difficult for people with diabetes to safely manage their disease.
How does marijuana use affect insulin sensitivity in people with diabetes?
Marijuana use has been shown to have some potential benefits for people with diabetes. Studies have suggested that marijuana may help to improve insulin sensitivity in people with diabetes, which means that the body is better able to use the insulin it produces to convert glucose into energy. Additionally, marijuana has been found to reduce inflammation, which can also be beneficial for people with diabetes.
What research has been done to explore the effects of marijuana on diabetes management?
Recent research has shown that marijuana may help to improve diabetes management in some ways. Evidence has suggested that marijuana can reduce insulin resistance, meaning that the body is able to better use the available insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, marijuana may help to reduce inflammation, which can be a contributing factor to diabetes. Finally, marijuana has been noted to improve appetite, which can be beneficial for those with diabetes who struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
A new study recently published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research found that women who heavily used cannabis had lower incidence of diabetes, a chronic condition that prevents the body from either making enough insulin type 1 or being able to use insulin efficiently type 2. Approximately one in 10 Americans has diabetes, and the condition accounted for 87, deaths in the United States in , making it the seventh leading cause of death for that year. From approximately 15, participants. The majority of participants were female, white non-Hispanic , over 40, and had at least a college-level education. Diabetes status was determined by physician diagnosis or meeting criteria for plasma glucose, fasting blood glucose or hemoglobin A1C levels. Female participants who used cannabis heavily were less likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than female participants who did not use cannabis. Light cannabis use by female participants had no association with diabetes diagnosis. Researchers found no association in male participants between diabetes and any level of cannabis use. Previous research has shown that the endocannabinoid system, a series of neurotransmitters and receptors in the nervous system involved in numerous biological processes, has different effects depending on sex. Cannabidol and deltatetrahydrocannabidol, two key compounds in cannabis, stimulate receptors in the endocannabinoid system that result in improved glucose disposal. The authors note that this is one possible explanation for the sex-based difference found during their study. Further research is needed to better understand the association observed in this study, especially to analyze the individual and contextual variables and mechanisms that may be responsible. Media contact Dee Dee Grays , Heavy cannabis use by female adults associated with lower incidence of diabetes The study found no association between diabetes and cannabis use for female adults who lightly use cannabis nor for male adults with any level or no use. Facebook Tweet. You may also like. Major depressive episodes rising in adolescents, especially minorities. Students help build better lives in Ghana. Subscribe Today Stay up-to-date on the latest heath care topics. In the news. Workers can be just as productive away from the office, study finds Boston Globe. Admin Updates.
While research on the risks and benefits of medical marijuana for people with diabetes is only preliminary, some studies suggest certain potential effects that may be worth further scientific exploration. Although research on marijuana for medicinal purposes is limited and the Food and Drug Administration FDA has not approved the drug as a standard of care, 29 states and Washington, DC, have legalized medical marijuana. That legislation has passed at a time when some research , which has mostly been observational and conducted in animals, links marijuana use to improved symptoms associated with HIV , multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and mental disorders. But what do researchers say about using marijuana to help treat or prevent diabetes? The marijuana plant contains chemicals called cannabinoids that have a range of effects, including increased appetite and diminished pain and inflammation. Such studies reduce the risk of bias in study authors, and provide the most reliable evidence we have for a cause-and-effect relationship between two factors in this case, medical marijuana and diabetes rather than just a correlative link, which observational studies draw. That said, those observational studies may offer clues about how cannabis may affect diabetes. For example, a study published in July in The American Journal of Medicine looked at nearly adult men and women currently using marijuana and about 2, who had used it in the past after fasting overnight, they had their blood drawn and were screened for other health factors, such as blood pressure, body mass index BMI , and waist circumference. Compared with those participants who had never used marijuana, participants who were current users had 16 and 17 percent lower fasting insulin levels and measures of insulin resistance, respectively. They were also more likely to have smaller waistlines. On the basis of their preliminary findings, the authors noted that specific cannabinoid receptors in the body may help improve insulin sensitivity. They were also interested in the association between using the drug and having a smaller waist circumference. Those who use cannabis eat more calories on average, the authors pointed out, and paradoxically also tend to have lower BMIs. One possible explanation Previous research had found that when marijuana was given to obese mice, the rodents slimmed down and had better functioning of their beta cells, which produce insulin. And finally, the drug may also influence a protein called adiponectin, which has been linked with improved insulin sensitivity.
