CBD and Diabetes

CBD: it’s good for weight loss, sleep, athletic performance, and general wellness. But is it good for diabetes, too?
25 March, 2020 by
CBD and Diabetes
Alla Kolosova

Keep reading to learn more about how CBD products could help you manage your blood sugar, get into fat-burning mode, and overcome the complications of diabetes once and for all. 


CBD and diabetes: what is diabetes?

Before we really get into things, though, let’s zoom out a little and look at what diabetes actually is. 

Diabetes is a disease that involves having blood sugar levels that are too high (also referred to as blood glucose). This happens due to either an inability to produce insulin (a hormone made by the pancreas) or an inability to use insulin properly.

When produced and used sufficiently, insulin helps break down the glucose in food and turn it into energy. However, when this doesn’t happen the glucose will stay in your blood which over time will cause health issues.

CBD oil & diabetes and chronic pain: what the research says

Researchers are looking into how CBD (cannabidiol), the natural extract is taken from hemp, may be able to help those with diabetes. So far there is a lack of research on humans, but studies have been carried out on mice and rats and it's hard to take provide medical advice. A 2006 study found that non-obese diabetic mice had a much lower chance of their diabetes developing when they were treated with CBD oil. 

Further research found that mice with low blood flow to the brain (a complication of diabetes) benefited from CBD oil in the following manners:

  • Reduced high blood sugar levels

  • Lowered cholesterol

  • Increased the production of insulin

While this CBD research is a promising foundation, there may still be room for concerns surrounding the efficacy of CBD in treating diabetes. The exact side effects of CBD products on people with diabetes and chronic pain are unknown. It can be hard to determine them since diabetes symptoms can vary greatly from one person to the next, as well as the types of medication people take and how that might interact.

Other studies show that CBD products may help your body get into fat-burning mode. One study even found that CBD oils ‘flipped the switch and turned on metabolically active brown fat cells! And the Randle cycle tells us that more fat burning results in less reliance on sugar...allowing your body’s blood sugar levels to stay stable. This fat-burning effect may be protective against diabetes and insulin sensitivity over time.

CBD-and-Diabetes

That being said, those who already have diabetes may need to opt for a slightly higher CBD oil dose to improve health conditions. Consider something in the 30-50 milligrams/day range...and don’t be afraid of overdoing it. Dr. Bob Melamede (more on him later) consumes over 100 milligrams of cannabinoids and cannabis plants per day! But make blood glucose control in time.

Cannabis plant and CBD vs diabetes: why product type matters

CBD is just one of over 100 cannabinoids present in full-spectrum CBD extract. Based on positive customer accounts, we cannot be entirely clear that the positive effects are not the effect of another cannabinoid. It’s likely that the blend of premium cannabinoids present in our hemp/CBD oil confers effects that go above and beyond what you get from pure CBD. 

The most critically important knowledge that we currently have is that the body’s endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in the regulation of energy metabolism and health conditions. According to Dr. Bob Melamede (more on him later), CBD oil and other cannabis plants help regulate the very production of cellular energy. For those living with diabetes, this means that the endocannabinoid system plays an integral role in how the body responds to insulin, leptin, ghrelin, and other energy-storage hormones.

CBD & diabetes and blood sugar: what the experts say

Dr. Bob goes on to explain the mechanism through which CBD may regulate diabetes...and so many other health complications. Here’s some more info from Melamede’s hometown newspaper, Seven Days Vermont:

“Melamede is almost evangelical in espousing what he sees as the many healing benefits of marijuana. Specifically, he contends that high doses of cannabis, which contain scores of different cannabinoids, can relieve not only the symptoms of many chronic illnesses — cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and Alzheimer's disease, to name a few — but can slow and even reverse those diseases. When asked for the names and contact info of patients who've been cured by cannabis, he said, "How many hundreds do you want?”

“Melamede's assertions about the plant's curative properties put him well outside mainstream thinking in academia, medicine, and pharmacology. Almost no medical professionals or academics contacted for this story would comment on the record about him. Some said they respected his intelligence and academic credentials but disagreed with his interpretations of the science. For example, Melamede insists that cannabis can cure cancer. There's insufficient peer-reviewed research to back that claim. Yet, as Melamede and other cannabis activists point out, such studies have been virtually impossible to perform in the United States. The federal government lists marijuana as a Schedule I drug with no accepted medical use.”

what the experts say

Local physicians and colleagues of Dr. Bob acknowledge that his research has made him "a local hero”...in the eyes of some. Dr. Bob has worked successfully with many diabetic seniors. He typically recommends a mix of CBD oil, THC, terpenes, and other cannabinoids.

CBD and diabetes: summing things up

Ultimately...CBD is a catalyst. It’s not a cure-all that will eliminate diabetic or insulin resistance complications entirely. It’s more complex than that! What CBD oil may do is help you feel better, sleep better, take off a nerve pain and move better. It might make you feel empowered and energized enough to begin eating healthier and getting your insulin levels under control. It might just help you turn back the page to a time in your life when you felt healthy and free!

And don’t forget the role of medical professionals, either. If you have diabetes and you are considering trying CBD oil to help with your diabetic neuropathy we would suggest first and foremost speaking to your doctor, particularly concerning any pre-existing medication.

When choosing a supplier be sure to find a reputable company that is verified through third-party laboratory testing — this is incredibly important in an unregulated market. Finally, choose CBD products that are as close as possible to the natural source, avoiding additives and sugars.

Disclaimer: The statements made regarding cannabis plant (CBD) products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

FAQ

Can CBD lower your blood pressure? 

Yes CBD oil can lower blood pressure. CBD oil diabetes is known to reduce stress and anxiety which reduces your heart rate and blood pressure.

How much does CBD lower blood sugar? 

CBD can improve insulin production and reduce cravings for carbs which will lower blood sugar. CBD has also been known to fight inflammation, which will help CBD absorb into your fat cells. CBD Oil and diabetes can also restore sensitivity to CBD receptors, whose lack of activity increases insulin resistance

Can a diabetic take CBD? 

CBD might help diabetics control cravings for high-carb foods like bread, cereals, and pasta. CBD is also known to improve insulin production and CBD receptor activity which will help CBD absorb into your fat cells. 

Where to find CBD Oil for Diabetes?

You can easily buy CBD Oil for diabetes in CBD Reakiro Store, you only need to go to our website and choose the products that you like!