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6 min read
Lucy MacKinnon
People with diabetes need to regulate their blood glucose level, usually by injecting insulin at regular intervals. Staying fit, healthy, and within weight limits can also help to mitigate the worst effects of diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that impacts the way the body turns food into energy. Once food is eaten, the body breaks it down into its constituent parts, including sugars, which it then releases into the bloodstream. Normally, when the level of sugar (or glucose) in the blood goes up, the body releases insulin from the pancreas to bring it back down again by driving sugars into the cells. With diabetes, either not enough insulin is created (type 1) or the system does not work as it should (type 2). If too much sugar stays in your blood it can begin to have long-term health consequences, such as heart disease, kidney disease, or loss of vision, among a range of other issues.
It’s thought that around 530 million adults have diabetes around the world, which is about one in 10, although this number is expected to rise to about 783 million by 2045. This is one of the major reasons why new treatments or effective complementary strategies for dealing with the condition are so welcome, and truly needed. One such new method may be related to CBD, or cannabidiol, one of the key compounds of the Cannabis sativa plant. But how does medical cannabis, and CBD specifically benefit diabetes and what kind of dosage levels should people be taking? Let’s find out…
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is the major regulatory system that promotes homeostasis and CBD has been shown to slow the breakdown of cannabinoids, potentially influencing mood, appetite, stress, immune function, pain, memory, and more. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and reduce oxidative stress, as well as potentially helping the body to reduce hyperglycaemia and increase insulin levels.
In terms of dosage, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, as everybody responds to CBD in different ways. The best way to find out what dose works for you is to use the step method. Start with a low daily dose as a baseline, usually between two and five milligrams, and then increase this each week by one to two milligrams. When you feel that the CBD is working or start to feel the positive effects, then you have found your dosage level.
However, it’s extremely important that you consult with your doctor before starting your CBD treatment. Although low-risk in general, CBD can interact with other medications, so you need to get medical advice before starting your treatment. It’s also essential to only buy CBD from a trusted supplier that provides accurate strength information.
A 2021 study showed that CBD could be of benefit to type 2 diabetes sufferers who are unable to use standard management methods. Another animal study found evidence that CBD potentially reduced hyperglycaemia, reduced cholesterol, and even increased insulin production. However, these are just initial trials and further evidence is needed before a wider clinical rollout.
When taking CBD for diabetes, it’s very important that you continue to monitor blood sugar levels and take insulin or other treatments prescribed by your doctor or endocrinologist. You also need to check with them that it’s safe to take CBD oil in the first place.
As well as your primary treatments, you can also help to minimise the effects of diabetes by eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and staying within a healthy weight bracket. You need to cover the five major food groups in any meal and stay away from processed sugars such as those found in white bread or sweet foods.
While it’s true that CBD in itself won’t help you to eat healthily or lose weight, the associated benefits of CBD, such as lowering levels of anxiety, have been shown to assist in weight loss and increase motivation to exercise. If you are suffering from chronic pain as a result of your diabetes, taking CBD oil may alleviate some of the symptoms, allowing you a greater degree of movement and flexibility.
CBD can be administered in a choice of formats. These include:
Vaping
The use of vapes is the fastest way to experience the effects of CBD, as it’s absorbed straight through the lungs.
Oils and tinctures
Using a dropper, deposit one or more drops of CBD oil under the tongue or add to food and drinks. When taken sublingually, the onset of effects is rapid, but when added to food it may take between 30 and 90 minutes before the CBD reaches its destination.
Edibles
These gummy sweets or chocolates are ideal for anyone who has difficulty swallowing pills.
Pills and capsules
A convenient but slower way to ingest CBD.
Creams and lotions
CBD creams can be applied to ease muscle or joint pain and don’t enter the bloodstream but rather the cannabinoid receptors in the skin.
You need to be aware that different administration methods deliver different quantities when working out how much CBD for diabetes symptoms. The general quantities in each method are as follows:
Always read the packaging and make calculations accordingly, or ask your doctor for advice.
The benefits of finding the right CBD dosage for diabetes and associated health conditions are emerging all the time and will hopefully become more evident with further clinical trials. Once you have checked with your doctor whether you are able to benefit from CBD, it’s all about finding the right dose for you. Start small and experiment, working your way up to a level that suits you, and you may find another powerful ally in the fight against diabetes.
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Am I eligible?With five years of journalism and healthcare content creation under her belt, Lucy strives to improve medical cannabis awareness and access in the UK by producing high quality, credible content.
Our articles are written by experts and reviewed by medical professionals or compliance specialists. Adhering to stringent sourcing guidelines, we reference peer-reviewed studies and scholarly research. View our editorial policy.
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