CBD can help with Diabetes in many ways – CBD for Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common health problems around the world with almost 9.3% of the world population having it, and 11.3% of US citizens having it. It is an irreversible condition that one has to bear till the end of his life. The most effective measure that can be taken to keep diabetes under control is following a healthy lifestyle. However, can CBD help with diabetes? There is lots of talk as of late that it certainly can. How much of this rumor is true, we need to find out.
What is CBD?
There are more than hundreds of components in a cannabis plant. CBD and THC are the most known components among them. CBD or cannabidiol comes from a type of cannabis plant called hemp. It is different from THC or tetrahydrocannabinol which creates euphoria. Our CBD oil does not have any psychoactive effect like THC, so it is safe to use. As a matter of fact, CBD has shown effectiveness against many health conditions in humans and animals making it one of the most miraculous natural [good] chemicals in the world.
CBD interacts directly with the endocannabinoid system inside the body. The endocannabinoid system is a complex signaling system inside humans and animals that regulates a range of functions and processes like sleep, mood, appetite, memory, reproduction, and fertility. By interacting with the endocannabinoid regulatory system, CBD can control the functions and processes of the human and animal body.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when the blood glucose, or the blood sugar levels of your body gets too high. It generally happens when the body does not produce enough insulin, or does not use the produced insulin well. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas to move glucose from food to the cells. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in the blood and eventually leads to diabetes.
The most common types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys the ability of the pancreas to create insulin. A type 1 diabetic patient has to take insulin every day to stay alive.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body stops producing insulin or does not use the produced insulin well. This is the most common type of diabetes that can happen to anyone, but is most common among middle-aged and older people.
Gestational diabetes develops in women during their pregnancy. Normally, it goes away in most of the cases, but women with this type of diabetes have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes during pregnancy, or even later in life.
Can CBD help Diabetic Patients?
For a diabetic patient, keeping his blood sugar levels, stress, anxiety, weight, and cardiovascular health in control is very important. Although CBD is very new in the field, there is a possibility that CBD can help with some of the factors related to diabetes.
As already discussed, CBD interacts directly with the endocannabinoid system of the body. This system also regulated the food intake and energy usage of the body, which is active in those who are overweight and have type 2 diabetes. By affecting the endocannabinoid system, CBD can regulate and control those factors.
Also, a study in 2020 found that CBD has the potential to affect some factors like reducing inflammation and altering glucose metabolism. These factors lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. By affecting these factors, CBD can potentially control weight gain and insulin resistance. Another study in 2016 found CBD combined with THC-based compound to decrease resistin and increase glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide in blood that can reduce blood sugar levels. This is promising as this can help keep type 2 diabetes under control.
CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-stress benefits. Stress is a double-edged sword, which can cause diabetes, and also increase the anxiety of a diabetic patient. CBD can help keep the mind at ease by reducing anxiety and stress. CBD can also help with chronic pains and inflammations in a diabetic patient giving them comfort.
Potential Downsides of CBD
CBD has a few side-effects like nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. However, these are very rare and should easily go away. However, diabetes is a serious health condition and CBD is comparatively a new type of medicine. Also, CBD has been shown to damage livers when taken with other medicines, especially if the CBD dosage is high. On top of that, there is not enough studies on CBD yet to make it an over-the-counter solution for health conditions.
There are lots of CBD products available in the market. But as the CBD market is still not regulated, one has to be really careful about using random CBD products. Always check if the medicines have all the ingredients listed. The best advice is to consult with a good doctor with enough knowledge on diabetes and CBD before starting to take it. Also, it is recommended to create a proper routine of medicines and dosages with a doctor to ensure the CBD product is authentic and effective.
Conclusion
It is really hard to live with diabetes, considering that it is a lifelong condition. The stress and daily routines can be horrifying at times. Practicing good health habits and leading a health maintained lifestyle can help you a lot. With CBD in the picture, even as a diabetic patient, you can have a comfortable life. To ensure that, consult with a good doctor who can help make CBD a blessing in your life.
