Exploring the benefits of CBD for diabetics – What the research says

Over the past few years, CBD products have gained massive popularity, especially when it comes to the management of some conditions. Today, you can find CBD products in the form of sparkling water, gummies, tincture oils, and lotions. In fact, some individuals suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) is the defining ingredient of our time.

One interesting use of CBD products is to help manage diabetes. Previously, CBD was mostly used to alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. These benefits can reduce the risk of diabetes and help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. However, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, so the anxiety-reducing properties of CBD are unlikely to aid in its prevention (more on that later).

With that said, researchers found that the use of CBD and THC products increased by more than 340% in patients with diabetes. The study was based on surveys from 2005 to 2018 in people based on self-reported use within the past month. In fact, many mainstream healthcare providers advocate for the medicinal uses of CBD products. For example, there is concrete research that CBD is beneficial for children with epilepsy. Nevertheless, most diabetics choose to use CBD products without a doctor’s prescription. 

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the research that covers the benefits of CBD for diabetics. Before that, let us briefly define type 1 diabetes to make sure we’re on the same page.

A brief overview of type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition where the pancreatic cells (i.e., beta cells) that produce insulin get distorted through an autoimmune reaction. In other words, the body’s immune cells will produce antibodies that target the beta cells of the pancreas. As a result, the cells that usually synthesize and release insulin will no longer be functional. 

Insulin is a hormone that allows the body’s cells to use glucose for energy purposes. Without insulin in the bloodstream, glucose will not be able to enter the cells. You see, insulin activates a special glucose receptor in the liver and muscles to allow insulin to enter the cell. Without the action of this hormone, blood glucose levels will rise. Insulin also stimulates the conversion of excess glucose to glycogen and fatty acids. 

All in all, insulin has numerous functions to prevent the rise of glucose in the bloodstream.

Signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:

• Polyphagia (i.e., excessive hunger)
• Polydipsia (i.e., extreme thirst)
• Polyuria (i.e., frequent urination)
• Blurred vision (usually chronic)
• Fatigue
• Unexplained and rapid weight loss

In type 2 diabetes, the symptoms are similar to those of type 1, but they usually show up later in life, typically between the ages of 40 and 50. On the other hand, type 1 diabetes, often called juvenile diabetes, usually affects younger children. The two types of diabetes have different mechanisms: in type 1, the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are not functioning. In type 2, the beta cells produce insulin, but the receptors in the liver and muscles don’t respond properly to it.

Unmanaged diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) can lead to complications, including:

• Diabetic nephropathy
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Recurrent fungal infections (e.g., candidiasis)
• Increased risk of coronary artery disease
• Hearing impairment
• Diabetic foot
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma 
• Diabetic gastroparesis (e.g., constipation)

What is CBD?

CBD is one component that we can find in the cannabis plant. Over the past few decades, researchers from all over the world conducted hundreds of studies to analyse the biological effects of CBD.

In marijuana, we can find two compounds (CBD and THC). Despite the fact that both compounds are found in the cannabis plant, they have very distinctive biological actions. For instance, THC is known as a psychogenic compound, which causes the famous “high.” On the other hand, CBD does not alter the mind, which is why it’s a popular choice for medicinal purposes.

How does CBD work

In the body, there are receptors that interact with CBD. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system (a network in the body that helps regulate various functions like mood, pain, and appetite). 

More specifically, we can find two distinct CBD receptors:

CB1 receptors – CB1 receptors are ubiquitous in the body. In other words, we can find them all over the brain and body. When these receptors are activated, they regulate your emotions, mood, pain sensitivity, memory, and appetite.

CB2 receptors – The second receptor is found on immune cells. It’s responsible for the regulation of pain and inflammation.

THC binds directly to CB1 receptors to trigger a physiological response. This direct binding is what causes the psychoactive effects that are associated with THC. Unlike THC, CBD does not bind directly to CB1 receptors. Instead, CBD works by influencing other parts of the system, which leads to an increase in the body’s own natural chemicals called endocannabinoids. This helps balance the system and can contribute to benefits like pain relief and reduced inflammation.

What does the research say about CBD and diabetes?

Before we discuss the research about CBD and diabetes, it’s worth noting that most of the studies focus mostly on type 2 diabetes. This is because type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections due to the lack of this hormone. However, some studies suggest that CBD may still offer benefits for individuals with type 1 diabetes by supporting overall blood sugar regulation.

For example, a 2021 case study highlighted a patient with type 2 diabetes who switched from insulin injections to CBD oil. The results showed that while CBD did not drastically change blood glucose levels, it helped maintain stable levels and provided additional benefits, such as reduced joint pain. This indicates that CBD may be a viable option for managing diabetes in certain situations, but it should not replace conventional diabetes treatments without medical guidance.

It’s crucial for patients to consult with their healthcare providers before making any changes to their diabetes management plan. CBD may offer complementary benefits, but it should be used alongside, not as a replacement for, prescribed diabetes medications.

Animal research about CBD products and diabetes

Research on animals has shown that CBD can help protect the retina from inflammation and damage caused by diabetes. A 2021 review highlighted that CBD might safeguard the retina from issues like inflammation and blood vessel damage. Additionally, a 2019 study found that CBD could help prevent damage to cells from oxidative stress, which is linked to diabetes and brain conditions.

If these results come out to be true in humans, it could be revolutionary for diabetics. You see, the problems caused by diabetes usually come from having high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period of time. High levels of glucose in the blood can form complex glycoproteins (i.e., a combination of glucose and proteins) that circulate throughout the body and cause various complications. Without these complications, patients would primarily experience milder symptoms, like frequent urination and fatigue.

Specific research in a recent study that covered the effects of CBD on type 1 diabetes found that these products can help patients in three ways:

Increase insulin production – This is possible because not all cells in the pancreas get destroyed. Therefore, if we find a way to boost the production of insulin in these cells, symptoms of diabetes will improve dramatically.

Promote weight gain – Scientists concluded that CBD products boost appetite and promote weight gain. This is critical because the vast majority of patients with type 1 diabetes have a low body mass index (BMI). 

Lower blood sugar levels – The study found that blood glucose levels drop after the use of CBD products. However, we still don’t fully understand how this mechanism works.

Though the findings of these studies look to be promising, please bear in mind that they were conducted on animals. Hopefully, research on humans will demonstrate more concrete results when it comes to CBD and diabetes.

Indirect ways that CBD may help with type 1 diabetes

Because patients with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have another inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, researchers took an interest in this phenomenon. The conclusion is that both diabetes and arthritis have common risk factors, such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

Therefore, any substance that could help with inflammation may also exert positive effects on diabetes.

In a 2020 review, researchers found that dogs experienced significant improvement in their inflammation and pain symptoms after the application of CBD oil. What’s more, another study found that one month of CBD intake managed to dampen the inflammation of nerves in rats with diabetes.

THC and diabetes

As mentioned earlier, constantly high blood sugar can lead to something called diabetic neuropathy. This is when high glucose levels damage your nerves because of the glycoproteins.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include:

• Numbness to pain
• Tingling sensation
• Sharp pain 
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of balance and coordination 

CBD products with a small amount of THC (not enough to cause a high) may help with nerve pain, which results from damage or problems with the nervous system. One review found that CBD combined with terpenes and THC can be effective in relieving this type of pain and reducing inflammation.

Diabetes and CBD (New Research)

In a 2023 review study conducted by Jin Zhang et his colleagues, the following findings were objectified:

Cardiovascular complications

• CBD helps reduce inflammation in blood vessels, which can stop arteries from getting blocked (a common complication of diabetes).
• It protects the heart by lowering the chances of arrhythmias.
• CBD activates certain pathways that protect the heart and blood vessels.

Diabetic nephropathy 

• CBD reduces inflammation in the kidneys but might not prevent kidney damage in some cases.
• Clinical studies show that CBD is generally safe for the kidneys at therapeutic doses.

Diabetic retinopathy 

• CBD protects the eyes and prevents damage to the retina.
• It reduces the risk of vision loss as it shields retinal cells from stress and toxicity.

Diabetic neuropathy 

• CBD reduces pain and slows down nerve damage in the spinal cord.
• It activates certain receptors that help manage pain.

CBD and Diabetes – A case report

A 62-year-old man with obesity and a long history of type 2 diabetes began using CBD oil to manage his blood sugar levels. Prior to this, he was taking several medications, including insulin (degludec), but struggled with poorly controlled blood sugar. Consequently, he decided to replace his insulin with 20 mg of oral CBD daily.

Even after stopping insulin, his blood sugar levels remained relatively stable, ranging from 6.8 to 10.2 mmol/L (122 to 184 mg/dL). His HbA1c stayed around 7.6-7.7%, indicating that CBD did not negatively impact his diabetes management. Over time, he increased his CBD dosage to 18 mg twice daily and experienced reduced joint pain without any reported side effects.

The patient continued with his other diabetes medications, including metformin, empagliflozin, and saxagliptin, and his liver and kidney functions remained normal.

This case suggests that CBD can be safely used alongside standard diabetes medications without adverse effects. While it didn’t significantly improve blood sugar control, it didn’t worsen the patient’s condition either. Additionally, the patient found relief from joint pain, highlighting a possible extra benefit of CBD.

Healthcare providers should be aware that some patients might choose to include CBD in their diabetes management plan.

Conclusion

CBD products have proved to be useful in numerous medical conditions, especially those with an inflammatory component. The use of these products to manage high blood sugar may be beneficial, especially with the high safety profile of CBD. However, you should not stop using conventional diabetes medications before you consult with your doctor.

We hope that this comprehensive guide helped you understand the underlying causes of type 1 diabetes and how CBD products may help manage this condition.

If you have any questions, concerns, or personal experiences with diabetes/CBD, please do not hesitate to share your thoughts in the comment section below.