CBD Oil and Diabetes: What Potential Does Research Reveal?

CBD oil and diabetes is a topic of interest not only to people with this disease, but also to those who are constantly researching cannabidiol (CBD) limitless potential for health. Currently, CBD products are available in various forms, from oils and tinctures to capsules or topicals and CBD cosmetics, both in physical and e-shops. You've probably already heard that CBD can help reduce anxiety and stress, improve sleep quality, and help manage pain of various origins.

Another therapeutic property of CBD relevant to people with diabetes is its ability to stabilize blood sugar levels. By the way, it is known that felt pain can activate stress reactions in the human body, which in turn increases cortisol (stress hormone) and blood sugar levels. A scientific study that was conducted in the US states that between 2005 and 2018, the use of various hemp products among people with diabetes increased by as much as 340%. This reflects the rapidly growing interest in CBD as a potential tool for diabetes management. There are also scientific studies that show that CBD can help prevent diabetes in general. So, what is the connection between CBD oil and diabetes?

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce the amount of insulin our body needs or when the body is unable to properly use the insulin in the body.

Insulin, vol.i.e a hormone produced by the pancreas that acts like a key that allows the glucose we get from food to pass from the blood into the body's cells so it can be used as a source of energy. All foods containing carbohydrates are converted into glucose in the blood, and insulin ensures its smooth entry into the cells.

When the body loses its ability to produce or use insulin effectively, it causes elevated blood glucose levels, also known as hyperglycemia. Over time, a high level of glucose in the blood can cause irreversible damage to the body and cause dysfunction of various organs and tissues.

Can CBD help with diabetes?

A 2021 scientific case study revealed that CBD could become an effective alternative remedy for those suffering from type 2 diabetes and for some reasons cannot use conventional methods of treatment of this disease. According to the aforementioned study, one diabetic patient consulted with health care professionals and decided to go off insulin and use only cannabidiol (CBD).

However, it is important to emphasize that in case of diabetes, it is recommended to take all the medicines prescribed by the doctor without interruption. If you want to try alternative remedies that can help manage diabetes, such as CBD oil, you should do so after consulting with and getting the consent of your healthcare professional. A number of scientific studies to date suggest that CBD oil may be beneficial in treating diabetes and reducing inflammation.

CBD Oil and Diabetes - What Does the Research Say?

The majority of scientific research investigating the relationship between CBD oil and diabetes has so far been conducted on animals. Research practice shows that the laboratory environment and biological differences between animals and humans can slightly distort the results of this type of research, so what works in animals does not always guarantee a similar effect in humans.

For example, a research study in mice with problems with cerebral blood flow – a common problem in people with diabetes – revealed that CBD has potential:

• Reduce hyperglycemia, resulting in better blood sugar control;
• Reduce cholesterol and so-called "bad fats";
• Stimulate insulin production.

Other animal studies have shown that CBD can:

• Reduce diabetes-induced inflammation and pain, and especially neuropathic pain that often affects the hands and feet of people with diabetes;
• Reduce the risk of diabetes by acting as a preventive measure;
• Promote the formation of "good fat" by converting white fat into metabolism-boosting brown fat, which increases the body's efficiency in using glucose.

These findings reveal the potential of CBD for people with diabetes, but in order to fully confirm CBD's effectiveness in diabetes, more large-scale human studies will be needed in the future.

CBD oil and diabetes - what are the benefits?

CBD's therapeutic potential spans many areas of wellness. The fact that cannabidiol does not cause psychoactive effects and has practically no side effects opens the door wide to the therapeutic use of CBD.

Scientific studies have found that CBD affects our body by influencing the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for regulating vital body functions and maintaining homeostasis. CBD, by acting on the receptors of the endocannabinoid system, also regulates our energy balance and food intake - this is precisely what shows its potential for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Obesity and insulin resistance

Type 2 diabetes, one of the most common forms of diabetes, is directly related to being overweight. CBD can actually help with obesity and insulin resistance, which are major risk factors for diabetes.

Based on 2020 medical study, CBD may affect several factors that contribute to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (a pathology associated with obesity), including reducing inflammation and altering glucose metabolism.

Such changes may result in:

• Reduction of insulin resistance;
• Symptom management of type 2 diabetes;
• Reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome.

Blood sugar control

Based on According to a 2016 scientific study that examined fasting blood sugar levels, CBD combined with THC (the psychoactive cannabis component), helps people with type 2 diabetes to regulate blood sugar levels more effectively.

The aforementioned study also revealed that CBD, when used alone, can:

• Reduce levels of resistin, a hormone that can promote insulin resistance;
• Increase glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, a hormone that stimulates insulin production.

Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy (one of the forms of nerve damage) is one of the most common complications caused by diabetes, manifested by pain and a burning sensation, most intensely felt in the hands and feet.

One of the scientific studies revealed that CBD can stimulate the growth of nerves and their tissues, potentially reducing neuropathic pain.

Although the effects of CBD on nerve pain in humans have not yet been thoroughly studied, animal studies suggest that similar positive results may be obtained in human studies.

Anxiety and stress management

Individuals with diabetes often experience challenges in managing the disease, which can lead to additional stress and anxiety that negatively impact the patient's condition.

It is known that the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline can contribute to an increase in blood sugar.

Scientific studies suggest that CBD may be useful in reducing symptoms of anxiety, providing relief specifically to those affected by hormonal changes in the body caused by stress and anxiety makes blood sugar control difficult.

Other diabetes-related conditions

Many people with diabetes deal not only with the symptoms of the disease on a daily basis, but also with other health problems that CBD can help alleviate. These include:

• Insomnia: Research shows that CBD can help relieve symptoms of insomnia. People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience insomnia and other sleep disorders. It's no secret that better sleep can contribute to more effective blood sugar control and reduce the risk of complications caused by diabetes.
• Chronic pain and inflammation: Research shows that CBD is effective in reducing chronic pain and inflammation, improving the quality of life of people with diabetes quality.
• Blood pressure: research shows that CBD may have beneficial effects on heart health and blood pressure. People with diabetes are quite often at risk of high blood pressure.

How to choose the right CBD oil for diabetes?

When choosing CBD oil for diabetes, pay attention to the manufacturer's reliability and reputation and user reviews - high quality CBD products are always tested in third-party laboratories. This helps ensure the composition of these products declared by the manufacturer - an effective full-spectrum CBD oil should not only contain CBD, CBG, CBN or other beneficial cannabinoids, but also terpenes and flavonoids or a low THC content, which does not exceed the permissible limit, because this composition of the product ensures the "Entourage effect" leading to a better effect of CBD.

In addition, it is advisable to avoid products that contain unnecessary added ingredients such as artificial colors, added sugar or other similar substances.

Possible side effects of CBD oil for diabetes

Remember that CBD products should not replace diabetes treatment recommended by healthcare professionals. Although there is scientific evidence that CBD can be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes, it can cause minor side effects in some people, which usually disappear over time. These include:

• Drowsiness;
• Diarrhea;
• Decreasing appetite;
• Irritability.

In addition, CBD can interact with some medications, changing how they work, such as increasing the effectiveness of blood thinners in the blood. Here is a list of drugs whose metabolism can be affected by CBD:

• Metformin: When this diabetes drug is used in combination with CBD, the patient's risk of diarrhea may increase.
• Warfarin: Combining CBD with this blood-thinning drug can increase blood levels of the drug, meaning your doctor's dose limits may be exceeded.
• Over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl: These medications, like CBD, can cause drowsiness. When they are taken together, the effect of both CBD and drug-induced drowsiness can be further enhanced.
• Tylenol and other drugs processed by the liver: CBD can increase the amount of enzymes in the liver, which puts a strain on the liver.

The American Diabetes Association points out that using CBD can increase eye pressure, which in turn increases the risk of glaucoma, a condition that can become a complication of diabetes. The use of CBD must be discussed with a healthcare professional in order to avoid potential risks.

CBD Oil and Diabetes: Final Thoughts

It is natural that many people with diabetes seek to discover alternative means that could facilitate their daily life and contribute to a better well-being. CBD oil and diabetes are indeed linked - CBD is considered a substance that has the potential to regulate blood sugar and even prevent diabetes. Health professionals and scientists are constantly researching the potential benefits of CBD in the treatment of various conditions, including diabetes.

If you're considering CBD as an adjunct to help with diabetes symptoms, it's important to have an open discussion with your doctor, who will help you analyze the potential benefits and risks of CBD and guide you in determining the right dose for you once you start using cannabidiol.