When confronted with the name “CBD oil”, many people might be tempted to associate it with its close partner, THC. Both substances come from the same plant species, but CDB oil has been emerging as a pharmaceutical alternative to THC products and carries many of the same benefits without the mind-altering effects of THC.
CBD oil is highly regarded for its therapeutic properties for afflictions ranging from chronic pain to anxiety, and even to diabetes. Although research on the new commercial substance is still developing, its therapeutic applications for diabetes patients is promising.
Let’s dive into the best CBD oil for diabetes and how it helps…
What is CBD oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a natural compound found in the resin of cannabis. Although CBD is derived from the same plant as the high-inducing THC compound, it lacks this mind-altering side-effect. It does, however, share many of the same therapeutic properties that reduce pain and inflammation and contribute to the alleviation of a broad range of symptoms for a number of ailments.
CBD oil is produced by extracting the CBD content from the hemp or cannabis plant in the form of thick oil that is then mixed with a carrier oil. Once in the form of a commercially viable oil, it can be taken by patients several ways including orally in the form of edibles, lozenges, beverages, tinctures, or caps or applied topically in its pure form or within a lotion.
CBD oil works by attaching to a series of internal receptors in the endocannabinoid system of the human body, named CB1 and CB2 receptors. This system has a role in several of the human body’s functions ranging from regulating things like memory, sleep, and mood, but also more complex processes like metabolic pathways and energy balance.
Can CBD oil help with diabetes?
The short answer is yes.
CBD oil can help alleviate disheartening symptoms associated with diabetes. However, it’s imperative to note that CBD oil is not a cure for diabetes, and it does not replace regularly prescribed diabetes medications.
It serves as an effective complement to diabetes medication by relieving many of the symptoms that are often associated with diabetes.
The primary benefits that can be acquired from the use of CBD oil include diabetes prevention, lower insulin resistance, weight loss, relief for nerve pain, and alleviation of some skin conditions.
You should consult a physician or medical professional if you are considering adding CBD oil to your treatment regimen, but the benefits that can be obtained from the use of CBD oil are broad and diverse.
CBD for diabetes prevention
The best way to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes is to reduce the chances of developing it at all. Some patients may find that CBD oil may reduce the incidence of diabetes through a number of different mechanisms.
One study found that CBD treatment reduced the incidence of diabetes in mice from 86% in non-treated control mice to 30% in mice treated with CBD.
In a second study performed on over 4,500 male and female human subjects following a 9-hour fasting period, the researchers found that marijuana users experienced 16% lower fasting insulin levels.
Test subjects who used marijuana more distantly in the past still experienced some modest positive effects compared to those who never used marijuana, but the results were most pronounced in recent users.
CBD oil possesses these same properties and could be used to lower insulin sensitivity, which reduces a person’s chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
The study also demonstrated that CBD elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, “good cholesterol,” by 1.63 mg/dL.
Another effect of CBD oil is less conclusive in research studies but has similarly positive outcomes for preventing diabetes.
Some studies have determined that CBD regulates cholesterol homeostasis in microglial cells. These cells also contribute to diabetic retinopathy, a common complication of diabetes that results in vision loss. The healthy function of these cells can help alleviate these possible symptoms.
CBD lowers insulin resistance
People who suffer from diabetes do not respond properly to insulin in the body. Insulin resistance occurs when cells in the body do not respond to higher levels of insulin, a chemical substance produced by the pancreas that signals for cells to absorb glucose from the blood to generate energy.
A rejection of higher insulin levels by the body’s cells increases blood sugar levels because glucose is not being absorbed out of the blood and converted to energy.
CBD oil has been demonstrated by researchers to decrease insulin resistance, which means the body is more responsive to lower levels of insulin produced from the pancreas.
Lower insulin resistance means that less insulin is required in the body to trigger the absorption of glucose so it does not build up in the bloodstream.
One mechanism through which CBD oil reduces insulin resistance was discussed above, but it is also believed that the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD oil have positive impacts on reducing insulin resistance.
Several studies have demonstrated the link between inflammation and insulin resistance, and the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil can aid in this process.
One mechanism through which cannabinoids can contribute to anti-inflammation is through dysregulation of cytokine production by immune cells which suppress the inflammatory response. This response will lower inflammation in the body and therefore decrease the body’s insulin resistance.
CBD in weight loss
Obesity and large waist circumference are prominent warning signs for developing type two diabetes.
CBD oil has many properties and effects that allow it to aid the body in facilitating weight loss and a decrease in waist circumference to lower the risk of diabetes and to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes in patients.
There are several mechanisms through which CBD oil can aid in weight loss.
The first is a reduction in appetite.
While THC stimulates appetite in users, CBD actually does not.
CBD may influence molecules that block CB1 receptors in the body which are responsible for generating an appetite in cannabinoid users. CB1 receptors become more diffuse in the body, particularly in fatty tissue, in obese people, so regulation of this receptor through CBD oil can reduce appetite and contribute to weight loss.
The second mechanism through which CBD oil can lead to weight loss is the conversion of white fat into brown fat.
The function of white fat in the human body is to store fat and secrete hormones while the function of brown fat is thermogenesis – production of heat in the body that expends energy, and calories.
The CB receptors that are stimulated by CBD oil plays a role in converting white fat to brown fat, a process that contributes to weight loss through enhanced energy expenditure.
Helps nerve pain
One of the most discomforting symptoms of diabetes is the pain associated with neuropathy, or nerve damage, often experienced in the extremities.
Several studies have concluded that there are positive effects of cannabinoid substances on neuropathic pain reduction. One study found that cannabidiol was linked to the restriction of microglial density proliferation in the dorsal spinal cord. The suppressed levels of microglial accumulation in this region of the spine were associated with reduced neuropathic pain.
Another study found that CBD treatment decreased chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain in patients. The interesting feature of this study is that the results suggest that this outcome was achieved without causing tolerance to analgesic, pain-relieving drugs. This suggests that CDB oil could serve as a useful alternative to traditional analgesics while producing the same results.
CBD helps skin conditions
CBD has a diverse range of applications for treating ailments of the skin that can emanate as a result of diabetes.
Many skin conditions can emerge from diabetes including itching and irritation from inflammation, bacterial and fungal infections, as well as a number of other rashes and ailments.
CBD oil can reduce inflammation and reduce irritation, pain, and discomfort that accompanies these skin conditions. CBD lotions can be particularly effective at alleviating symptoms because of the topical treatment methods.
Are there any side effects?
Despite the versatile applications of CBD oil, it can also generate several side effects including changes in appetite, changes in mood, diarrhea, and drowsiness. However, these side effects are very rare.
CBD oil also has some potential to interact with different types of medications.
You should always consult a medical doctor or physician before beginning a new treatment regimen of any kind. This is particularly important if you are already on prescribed medications. Despite the potential negative side effects listed above, there has never been an overdose case from CBD use, and no upper toxicity limits are known.
What else can CBD oil be used for?
The therapeutic effects of CBD oil are not limited to alleviating the symptoms of diabetes.
CBD oil can also be used to alleviate pain and discomfort from inflammation, back pains, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, acne, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer-related symptoms, chronic pain, glaucoma, insomnia, muscle spasms, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, PTSD, cardiovascular disease, antibiotic-resistant infections, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, and more.
CBD oil has varying levels of efficacy in alleviating the symptoms of these many afflictions, and you should still consult a physician before attempting any of these treatment regimens.
Summary
The benefits of using CBD oil to alleviate symptoms of a range of ailments are increasingly becoming known to the public.
Diabetes is just one condition where CBD oil has a lot of applicability. From helping to prevent the development of diabetes and the contribution to weight loss efforts, to the reduction in nerve pain, skin conditions, and inflammation, CBD oil can reduce the pain and discomfort felt by many people afflicted with diabetes.
CBD oil should not replace medically-prescribed and targeted treatments of diabetes, but it can serve as a useful supplement to alleviate many of the adverse symptoms associated with diabetes and contribute to an overall increase in quality of life.
