Original publish date: 4th March 2022

Post updated: 18th March 2024

Studies show that about 10% of Americans are living with diabetes. Although medication and lifestyle changes usually help stabilize blood glucose levels, many diabetes patients have started considering the use of CBD (cannabidiol) as an alternative treatment option.

CBD, a part of marijuana (cannabis) has received a lot of attention in recent years. As the legal status of marijuana changes in most parts of the world, CBD has transitioned from a criminalized/illegal substance to being considered a miracle drug.

CBD oil supplements, drinks, lotions, and foods can be found in pharmacies and stores across the United States and worldwide. Even so, it is essential to keep in mind that researchers have not yet fully understood the effects of cannabidiol on the human body and so far CBD oil has not yet been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

However, some research indicates that CBD oil could help regulate blood sugar, boost cardiovascular health, and reduce anxiety and stress, all of which are very important for diabetes patients. In fact, some studies show that CBD oil could help prevent diabetes or delay its onset.

One of the main reasons why studies on the effects of CBD are limited is that legal human trials with cannabidiol only started in 2015. Therefore, research is still preliminary and there’s a lot to be learned.

What is CBD?

CBD is one of the non-psychoactive chemical compounds found in cannabis/marijuana.

What is CBD oil?

CBD oil is one of the most popular forms of CBD. It is produced by mixing CBD into oils such as coconut oil to form a tincture. CBD oil can be applied to the body or taken orally. It is essential to understand the concentration of various forms of CBD tincture, and whether they are safe to be ingested orally.

Other forms of CBD include edibles, capsules, and sprays.

Does CBD oil have any benefits for diabetes?

Studies show that CBD has therapeutic effects on the human brain. However, it does not cause the psychoactive effects or hallucinations commonly associated with the use of cannabis. Therefore, CBD has a huge potential for various therapeutic uses.

However, before the health benefits of CBD can be verified by medical and scientific communities, there is a need for more long-term and more thorough research on its effects on the human brain and body.

There are strong indications that CBD oil has potential health benefits for diabetes. For instance, the human endocannabinoid system which helps regulate energy use and food intake are usually inactive in type 2 diabetes patients and people who are overweight. CBD oil acts on the endocannabinoid receptors, which is the main root of its potential therapeutic applications.

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Insulin resistance and obesity

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and it is closely connected with being obese/overweight.

CBD oil and weight gain in Diabetics

CBD oil has shown some potential in fighting insulin resistance and weight gain, both of which increase the risk of developing diabetes.

According to a 2020 medical review, CBD oil affects several factors that can contribute to type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance. These chiefly include the potential to alter glucose metabolism and reduce inflammation.

In turn, this helps reduce the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.

Blood sugar control

According to a 2016 clinical study that examined blood glucose levels when fasting, CBD when combined with THC-based compounds, helped diabetes patients better control their blood glucose levels.

The study shows that CBD alone decreased resistin (a hormone that contributes to insulin resistance) and increased insulinotropic peptide (a glucose-dependent hormone that stimulates the release of insulin).

This is a clear indication that CBD could help with hormonal imbalances that have been shown to contribute to type 2 diabetes.

Nerve pain

Diabetic neuropathy, also known as nerve damage, is one of the common complications of diabetes. Some of the symptoms include burning sensations and pain, especially in the feet and hands.

A recent animal study on rats shows that CBD oil can speed up the development of nervous tissue and nerves possibly reducing nerve pain.

Stress and anxiety management

Managing diabetes can cause anxiety and stress in some patients and this can aggravate the symptoms of the illness.

What is the relationship between stress and diabetes?

When stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released in the body, they stimulate the production of glucagon, which has been shown to lead to high blood sugar levels.

Therefore, managing stress and anxiety can help improve the physical symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Studies indicate that CBD oil can have a positive impact on the symptoms of stress and anxiety, especially for diabetes patients whose blood sugar levels are hard to control as a result of the hormonal effects of anxiety and stress.

Other health conditions linked to diabetes

Most diabetes patients have other diabetes-related conditions as well and preliminary studies show that CBD oil may help alleviate the symptoms of these health conditions. These health conditions include:

• Insomnia: As many as % of type 2 diabetes patients suffer from insomnia and CBD has been shown to be effective in helping treat insomnia. This can be highly beneficial because improving sleep helps control blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of complications from type 2 diabetes.
• Inflammation and chronic pain: Studies show that CBD can help reduce inflammation and treat chronic pain, both of which greatly compromise the quality of life for diabetes patients.
• Blood pressure: CBD helps reduce blood pressure, which in turn reduces the risk of diabetes-related cardiovascular disease.

Does CBD oil have any side effects?

Due to the limited research on CBD oil, scientists have not yet fully understood the side effects of CBD. However, some of the side effects reported by users include:

• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Nausea

However, studies have established that CBD is well-tolerated by most people.

The bottom-line

CBD oil can cause other notable side effects such as diarrhea, which some diabetes patients experience regularly. Therefore, despite the potential health benefits of CBD oil for diabetes it is critical to consult your diabetes healthcare team about whether CBD oil is safe for your specific condition and what you should do if it gets worse.

CBD oil can also have interactions with prescription and OTC (over-the-counter) drugs. You should not underestimate the potential risk of CBD oil, especially if you are currently taking other supplements or medications.