CBD for diabetics – The Fresh Toast
This article originally appeared on CBD Health & Wellness and was republished with permission.
When it comes to the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD), researchers are only scratching the surface.
This phytocannabinoid, which was first isolated in 1940, has far-reaching effects through its interactions with the receptors of the dynamic endocannabinoid system (ECS). Other mechanisms and pathways were also implied.
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Diabetes, affecting approximately 32 million Americans, is a chronic condition that is associated with a disruption in insulin production or sensitivity. To date, no medical cure is known for diabetes, although naturopaths often swear by nutrition-assisted diabetes reversal.
Since the endocannabinoid system is involved in maintaining a state of homeostasis in the body, it would be interesting to know what role it plays in controlling diabetes and how much of it can be influenced by CBD. To determine this, it is important to look at the research results.
About 95% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes, which occurs when cells in the body become insensitive to insulin, also known as insulin resistance. This means that there is a large amount of sugar floating around. If this continues for an extended period of time, it can cause significant inflammation that begins to damage the blood vessels.
The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD have been studied for decades. A study from 2007 entitled “Cannabidiol attenuates inflammatory reactions of endothelial cells and barrier disorders induced by high glucose” is a study of interest for diabetes control. [1]
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This study showed that CBD exerted potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in non-obese diabetic mice. CBD has been shown to have beneficial effects on a number of markers of inflammation. This shows one way that CBD can mitigate some of the damage caused by chronic inflammation in diabetics.
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This study also showed that the non-obese diabetic mice treated with CBD had a lower risk of developing diabetes. This forms a good basis to examine in randomized studies whether there is a similar effect in humans.
Patients with advanced diabetes may experience neuropathic pain commonly known as diabetic nephropathy.
Another study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine showed the effectiveness of CBD in suppressing neuropathic pain in a rodent model. [2]
On the other hand, a 2016 study published in Diabetic Care showed low effectiveness of CBD on HDL cholesterol levels and other markers, including insulin sensitivity. [3]
RELATED: If Inflammation Causes Obesity, Can Cannabis Help Break the Vicious Circle?
In conclusion, there is enough preliminary evidence that CBD can be effective in relieving diabetes inflammation and pain, as well as preventing diabetes in non-obese individuals. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the effects of CBD on HDL cholesterol or blood sugar levels.
References
- Mohanraj Rajesh et al. (2007). Cannabidiol weakens the inflammatory reaction of the endothelial cells induced by high glucose and the barrier disruption. American Journal of Physiology-Cardiovascular Physiology. 293: 1, H610-H619
- Wei Xiong et al. (2012). Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3-glycine receptors. Journal of Experimental Medicine. 209 (6): 1121-1134.
- Jadoon, KA, Ratcliffe, SH, Barrett, DA, Thomas, EL, Stott, C., Bell, JD, O’Sullivan, SE, & Tan, GD (2016). Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabivarin on glycemic and lipid parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group pilot study. Diabetes Care, 39 (10), 1777-1786.
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