8 Facts About Cannabis and Diabetes

8 Facts About Cannabis and Diabetes

8 Facts For Cannabis Helping with Diabetes You Should Know from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of deaths in the world, with over 5 million people dying from this condition yearly despite medical advancements and pharmaceutical drugs. Now, patients with diabetes can turn to cannabis as a natural and safe way of managing this condition, largely in part because of its potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Here are 8 facts about cannabis and diabetes – read on and save a life (maybe yours):

Consuming cannabis regularly can help prevent and treat diabetes. A 2013 study published in the American Journal of Medicine analyzed the impact of cannabis on glucose, insulin resistance, and fasting insulin. The researchers found that current cannabis users had higher HDL levels as well as lower levels of insulin resistance while participants who used cannabis at some point in their lives, but not current users, had similar results. According to an interview with Murray Mittleman, lead researcher of the study: “The most important finding is that current users of marijuana appeared to have better carbohydrate metabolism than non-users. Their fasting insulin levels were lower, and they appeared to be less resistant to the insulin produced by their body to maintain a normal blood-sugar level.”

Cannabis users have better insulin resistance. Poor insulin resistance is the primary cause for the progression of type 2 diabetes. The same 2013 study revealed that cannabis consumers have 17% lower HOMA-IR, a test used to gauge a patient’s insulin resistance. While many still don’t understand the exact process by which cannabis reduces insulin resistance, it’s definitely good news for patients with diabetes.

Cannabis can treat a variety of type 2 diabetes symptoms. A research paper by the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis showed that the plant can be a diabetic’s best friend, helping with many of the most painful and critical symptoms that diabetes brings about. These include nerve inflammation, nerve pain, blood sugar stabilization, reduction of blood pressure, restless leg syndrome, arterial inflammation, circulation, tingling in feet and hands, muscle cramps, and gastrointestinal disorder pain.

Cannabis consumers have smaller waistlines. An individual’s waist circumference is one of the primary markers of diabetes. A smaller waistline is associated with a decreased risk for diabetes. Studies show that current cannabis users have significantly smaller waist circumferences than those who have never used cannabis, even when taking into account other factors such as age, sex, alcohol, and tobacco use. The study’s findings suggest that cannabis works in the body to regulate body weight and improve insulin control, contributing to a lower incidence of diabetes among current cannabis users.

Cannabis is beneficial for autoimmune diseases. Type 1 diabetes is considered an autoimmune condition, because the immune system attacks the pancreas. A study conducted by the University of South Carolina revealed that THC is helps suppress the immune function in the body, making this cannabinoid a valuable treatment for those suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Cannabis may treat diabetes-induced neuropathy. Individuals with diabetes may be prone to suffering from other disorders as a result of having this condition, one of with is nerve damage also referred to as neuropathy. A 2009 study analyzing the effects of CBD on animal models with diabetes-induced neuropathy found that CBD extracts “significant relieved” the mechanical allodynia, or the painful response to non-painful stimuli and was able to restore the normal perception of pain without inducing hyperglycemia. Additionally, the study also found that CBD extracts were effective in protecting the liver from oxidative stress, which researchers think may contribute to an increased risk for neuropathy.

Cannabis is helpful for treating diabetes-induced glaucoma. One of the complications that may arise from diabetes is eye disease. Diabetic eye disease is a group of conditions affecting eye problems as a result of diabetes. Among these, glaucoma is extremely prevalent; since people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop this eye condition compared to non-diabetics. If nerve damage in the eye worsens because of glaucoma, this condition may lead to blindness. However, medical cannabis has already long been proven to be a viable treatment for glaucoma. Cannabis addresses the inflammation that causes glaucoma.

Cannabis consumers have a decreased risk for type 2 diabetes. A 2012 study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that cannabis consumers have a lower prevalence for developing type 2 diabetes.

Do you have diabetes or know someone who does? Share this article with them!

Diabetes and Medical Cannabis Facts