In the last few decades, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions around the world.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 422 million people are living with diabetes, which is expected to grow in the coming years.
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil and other cannabis-based compounds have been shown to help control blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and assist in weight management—three crucial factors in managing type 2 diabetes.
In this article, we’ll explore how CBD oil benefits diabetics by helping to manage blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
You’ll also learn why researchers believe cannabidiol is a promising treatment for this disease and see if you qualify as a candidate for CBD oil usage as part of your diabetes management plan.
What is Diabetes, and What Are the Different Types?
First, let’s review what diabetes is and the different types of this disease.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body has trouble regulating blood sugar levels. People with diabetes either don’t produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes), or their body doesn’t respond to insulin properly (type 2 diabetes).
There are several types of diabetes:
1. Type 1 Diabetes
This autoimmune disease is often diagnosed during childhood or early adulthood.
It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
This type of diabetes usually requires lifelong treatment with insulin injections.
2. Type 2 Diabetes
This is the most common form of diabetes and often develops later in life.
In this condition, the pancreas secretes enough insulin for normal blood sugar regulation, but the body doesn’t respond properly to insulin.
3. Gestational Diabetes
This form of diabetes occurs during pregnancy in women who have never been diagnosed with diabetes before.
Women who have had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in the future.
What is CBD?
From an abbreviation that once stood for “cannabis” and now stands for “cannabidiol,” CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant.
It is one of more than 100 cannabinoids present in cannabis that are responsible for the plant’s therapeutic properties.
CBD has been found to be useful in the treatment of many conditions and illnesses, including diabetes. It has been used to help control blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and assist in weight management—three crucial factors in managing diabetes.
CBD oil is available in many forms, including capsules, tinctures, topical salves, oral sprays, and topicals like lotions and gels.
Each of these delivery methods provides a different benefit to users. For example, capsules are convenient but often cause gastrointestinal issues. Topicals are great for localized pain and inflammation, but you can’t easily control dosage.
How Does CBD Help with Diabetes?
CBD works on both the endocrine system that produces and releases insulin and the autonomic nervous system that regulates insulin sensitivity.
The endocrine system produces insulin in the pancreas, a glandular organ in the abdomen that converts glucose into energy. The insulin travels through the bloodstream to reach the liver, muscles, and other cells.
In the liver and muscles, insulin initiates the absorption of glucose from the blood, reducing the amount of glucose in the bloodstream and lowering blood sugar levels. The autonomic nervous system regulates blood flow in the liver and muscles.
When insulin sensitivity is high, blood flow is increased to the liver and muscles, helping the body absorb more glucose and reducing blood sugar levels.
CBD oil has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in the liver and muscles, lowering blood sugar levels and reducing the amount of insulin you need to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Can CBD Oil Be Used to Treat Type 2 Diabetes?
While there is no cure for diabetes, a range of therapies and medications can help control the disease.
CBD oil is not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for diabetes, but recent research shows that it could be a promising treatment option.
A 2016 study on mice with diabetes found that a single administration of CBD over a week normalized blood sugar levels and increased insulin secretion.
Another recent study found that CBD improved insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes who were already taking insulin.
These results indicate that researchers are making progress toward developing a CBD-based diabetes therapy.
How Can CBD Assist in Managing Type 1 Diabetes?
People with type 1 diabetes are often struggling to regulate blood sugar levels and keep them within a healthy range. CBD oil can help ease the burden of managing this disease, assisting in the regulation of blood sugar and insulin levels.
Although type 1 diabetes is not associated with insulin resistance, CBD can still be helpful for managing this disease.
Additional research has shown that cannabidiol also increases insulin secretion from the pancreas.
Insulin secretion is crucial for people with type 1 diabetes and can often help control blood sugar levels.
If you’re living with type 1 diabetes, you can use CBD oil to help regulate blood sugar levels, reduce the amount of insulin you need, and ease the stress of managing this disease.
Benefits of CBD for Type 1 Diabetes Patients
As explored throughout this post, CBD oil has many benefits for diabetes patients.
By lowering blood sugar, reducing insulin levels, and assisting in weight management, CBD oil can help people with diabetes live a more healthy and active lifestyle.
- Lower blood sugar: CBD oil can help lower blood sugar levels and reduce the amount of insulin you need to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
- Reduced insulin: Since CBD oil can help improve insulin sensitivity, it can reduce the amount of insulin you need to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
- Weight management: CBD oil can assist in weight management, which can be crucial in managing diabetes.
Why Should You Not Use CBD to Manage Type 1 Diabetes?
Given all the ways that CBD oil can benefit people with diabetes, many people with type 1 diabetes may want to try this treatment. However, one major reason you should not use CBD oil to manage type 1 diabetes is that it is not FDA-approved for this purpose.
Furthermore, it is important to note that more research needs to be done to determine the optimal dosage and long-term effects of CBD use in patients with type 1 diabetes.
While short-term use of CBD may be helpful in improving blood sugar levels, long-term use may actually worsen blood sugar control.
Long-term use of CBD may also suppress the immune system, which is crucial for the effective management of type 1 diabetes.
These drawbacks indicate that CBD is not yet an appropriate treatment for type 1 diabetes, but long-term studies suggest that it may be in the future.
If you decide to use CBD oil to manage type 1 diabetes, you could be putting yourself at risk for health complications and other problems.
As there is not enough research on the safety and effectiveness of this treatment for type 1 diabetes, it would be unwise to use it without guidance from a medical professional.
Final Words: Bringing Hope to Millions with CBD
Given the many benefits of CBD oil for people with diabetes, it’s unsurprising that many people with this condition are turning to this treatment.
Earlier research has shown that CBD can help manage the symptoms of diabetes, and more recent research has shown that it could be an effective treatment.
Because CBD is not FDA-approved for the treatment of diabetes, however, it is important to be cautious.
It would be best if you always spoke with a medical professional before beginning a new treatment, especially one that is as complex as diabetes.
If you have diabetes and are looking for a safe and effective way to manage your condition, you might want to consider adding CBD oil to your treatment plan.
