CBDs and Diabetes: Hoax or Holy Grail?
Hoax or Holy Grail?
Cannabidoil, CBD for short, is extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD does not cause a “high” unlike other active chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
There are a TON of claims out there for CBD. A quick google search will give you 29 million results… many of which are people claiming that CBD has changed their lives.
But is there anything real to back up these claims? Will doctors start prescribing CBD over other diabetic medications?
I dug through all of the research to find the answer. Let’s dive in!
CBD for Diabetes- what does research say?
Unfortunately, the ranging legal status of cannabis has prevented many studies from being completed.
The good news is the United States’ Farm Bill removed legal restrictions on CBD in 2018. This means researchers don’t have to jump through as many hoops to get their studies approved!
Until more studies are completed, we don’t have MUCH to go off of. There has been only ONE study completed on people with type II diabetes. All other studies have been conducted on animals.
Let’s take a look at what we have so far…
Human study on Type II diabetes and CBD (1)
The only human study to date conducted on 62 individuals with type II diabetes.
These individuals were given either a daily dose of 10 mg/day of THCV (a form of THC with no psychoactive properties), 200 mg/day of CBD, or a combination of the two. Each group was compared to a control group that received a placebo.
The study subjects took these doses for 13 weeks.
Results:
CBD alone and in combination with THCV resulted in no effect on glycemic parameters. Meaning, CBD did not help fasting blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, or beta cell (insulin producing cells) function. DARN!
The researched noted that 200mg/day may have been too low of a dose to effect glucose levels.
BUT!
THCV alone did improve fasting blood sugar and increased beta cell function!
Takeaway: CBD did not do much of anything… but it could because of the low dose. THCV seems promising and significantly improved fasting blood sugar and increased insulin secreting cell function.
Diabetes and CBD:
What do the animal studies say?
Pre-diabetes (2)
One study was completed on non-obese pre-diabetic female mice. CBD was administered at 5mg/kg/day for 14 weeks.
Results: Researchers found that CBD suppressed the destruction of beta cell in the pancreas. 30% of the CBD treated mice developed diabetes compared to 86% of control mice. Inflammation was also significantly lower in the CBD treated group.
Takeaway: CBD may protect against beta cell destruction and improve inflammation.
Autoimmune Diabetes (Type 1) (3)
In this study, non-obese diabetic female mice were given CBD at 5mg/kg/day for 4 weeks.
Results: Researchers found insulitis in 87% of islet pancreatic cells in control mice compared 23% in CBD treated mice.
Takeaway: CBD may improve cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
Neuropathy (4)
Another study looked at nerve damage (neuropathy) in diabetic male mice. These mice were given 24 ul for up to 3 months.
Results: CBD limited the development of neuropathic pain states.
Takeaway: CBD may delay pain in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Cardiomyopathy (5)
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart that makes it harder to pump blood to parts of the body.
A study was conducted looking at cardiomyopathy in mice with type 1 diabetes. CBD was given for 11 weeks at doses that went up to 20mg/kg.
Results: CBD did not change insulin, glucose, or weight. CBD did decrease cell death, fibrosis, and inflammation in the muscles of the heart.
Takeaway: CBD may help lower the likelihood of cardiomyopathy in diabetes.
Retinopathy (6)
Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults.
A study was done looking at diabetic rats. 10mg/kg of CBD were given to the rats for up to 4 weeks.
Results: CBD prevented neural death in the retinas of the rats. Oxidative stress was also significantly improved in the CBD group.
Takeaway: CBD may help delay the development of diabetic retinopathy.
Memory and brain function (7)
Diabetic middle-aged rats were given 10mg/kg once a day for 30 days.
Results: CBD improved memory and reduced hippocampal levels of inflammation.
Takeaway: CBD showed to improve inflammation and memory
Biggest research takeaways
PHEW. Thanks for sticking with me while I got a bit nerdy! Here are my biggest takeaways:
MORE RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE! - for real, one human study is not acceptable.
Animal studies show positive impacts for diabetes associated fasting blood sugar, protection of insulin producing cells, memory, nerve pain, retinopathy, and cardiomyopathy. But, again there is just not enough research to make any real conclusions.
How to choose a CBD product
Talk with your doctor first
Talk with your doctor before taking any CBD products. Emerging evidence suggests that CBD may interact with your medications, meaning CBD products can increase or decrease the effects of your medications (8).
New research also suggests that CBD its the endocannaiboid system plays a role in how the body responds to insulin(9). So, CBD may increase or decrease the bodies sensitivity to insulin. Because of this, CBD has the potential to lead to hypoglycemia if you are unaware of how your body reacts to it.
Choose a reputable CBD product
The FDA does not regulate CBD products so you don’t ALWAYS get what was advertised. Several studies have shown that the labels of CBD products can be very inaccurate and misleading (10).
Find a product that has been tested by a third party as a way to ensure that you get what is advertised.
Decide which form of CBD best suits you
CBD is showing up in everything from beer to lotion. Is one form better than the other?
It depends of course! Each form has a benefit depending on what you are trying to accomplish while taking CBD (11).
Again, discuss what type of CBD may best suit you and your needs with your medical professional.
Biggest takeaways:
More research needs to be completed before we can make and true conclusions if CBD will benefit people with diabetes.
Animal studies point towards benefits with diabetes and retinopathy, neuropathy, memory, and heart function. More studies should be completed to see if these benefits translate to humans.
Speak with your doctor before taking CBD. Medications, especially insulin, may be altered by CBD intake.
If you have been taking CBD, let us know! What was your experience?