Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefits of CBD for DiabeticsForms of CannabidiolSide Effects of CBDInteractions and WarningsWhat to Look For

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Benefits of CBD for Diabetics

Forms of Cannabidiol

Side Effects of CBD

Interactions and Warnings

What to Look For

Over 10% of Americans havediabetes, and although lifestyle changes and medication generally help stabilize blood sugar levels, many Americans are considering the use of cannabidiol (CBD) as another option.

In fact, some research shows CBD might help control blood sugarand reduce stress and anxiety,which are important for people with diabetes. Other studies indicate that CBD could possibly help prevent diabetes.

However, it has only been legal for scientists to conduct human trials with CBD since 2015, so the research is preliminary and there’s a lot still to be learned.Here’s what we know—and don’t know—about CBD and diabetes.

Tinnakorn Jorruang / EyeEm / Getty Images

CBD oil

What Is CBD?CBD is a nonpsychoactive chemical compound in cannabis.

What Is CBD?

CBD is a nonpsychoactive chemical compound in cannabis.

The Benefits of CBD for Diabetics

CBD can have a therapeutic effect on the brain without causing hallucinations or the psychoactive effects that most people associate with the “high” from cannabis. Because of this, CBD has a lot of potential for therapeutic uses.

But before the scientific and medical communities can make definitive statements about the health benefits of CBD, they need more thorough and long-term research about the compound and how it affects the body and brain.

That said, there are indications that CBD has health benefits. For example:

Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes, is closely linked with being overweight.

CBD and Weight GainCBD shows some promise in fighting weight gainand insulin resistance,both of which can increase the risk for diabetes.

CBD and Weight Gain

CBD shows some promise in fighting weight gainand insulin resistance,both of which can increase the risk for diabetes.

A 2020 medical review found that CBD has the potential to affect a number of factors that contribute to the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. These include the potential to reduce inflammation and alter glucose metabolism.

In turn, that can reduce the symptoms of:

Blood Sugar Control

When combined with a THC-based compound (the chief intoxicant in cannabis), CBD helped people with type 2 diabetes better control their blood sugar levels, according to a 2016 study that looked at blood sugar levels when fasting.

The study found that CBD alone:

This indicates that CBD could help with some of the hormonal imbalances that contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Marijuana and Diabetes: Benefits and Precautions

Nerve Pain

Nerve damage, known asdiabetic neuropathy, is a common complication from diabetes. Symptoms can include pain and burning sensations, especially in the hands and feet.

An animal study on rats found that CBD can increase the development of nerves and nervous tissue, possibly alleviating nerve pain.

Although the effect CBD has on nerve pain hasn’t been studied in humans, rodent studies are considered an important indicator of what might be found in human studies.

Anxiety and Stress Management

For some people with diabetes, managing the illnesscauses stress and anxiety. In turn, stress and anxiety can worsen the symptoms of diabetes.

Stress and DiabetesWhen the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released, theycan causeyour blood sugar levels to rise.

Stress and Diabetes

When the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released, theycan causeyour blood sugar levels to rise.

Many people with diabetes have other health conditions as well, and CBD may help control the symptoms of those conditions. These include:

CBD is available in manyforms. If you’re considering taking CBD to help with your diabetes, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about what dosage and strength might be beneficial.

Some common forms of CBD are:

The form of CBD that you use will affect how quickly the substance enters your bloodstream.

How Quickly Does CBD Enter the Bloodstream?Inhaled CBD enters the blood fastest, while edibles take longer to get into your system.It’s not clear how much CBD from topical products like creams and lotions gets into your bloodstream.

How Quickly Does CBD Enter the Bloodstream?

Inhaled CBD enters the blood fastest, while edibles take longer to get into your system.It’s not clear how much CBD from topical products like creams and lotions gets into your bloodstream.

Because there is limited research on CBD, scientists don’t fully understand the side effects of the compound. However, it’s believed that using CBD can cause:

Research has found that, most often, the compound is generally well-tolerated.

CBD and DiarrheaCBD can cause diarrhea,which many people with diabetes already struggle with.This is why it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider about whether CBD might make the condition worse and what you can do if it does.

CBD and Diarrhea

CBD can cause diarrhea,which many people with diabetes already struggle with.This is why it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider about whether CBD might make the condition worse and what you can do if it does.

Finally, CBD can have interactions with over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs.It’s important not to underestimate the risk of CBD, especially if you’re taking other medications or supplements.

There are a few important things to consider when taking CBD.

Some things to consider include:

Even though it is a “natural” product, CBD can still interact with other medications. In fact, research indicates that cannabis-derived products, including CBD, can interact with 139 medication, and can be dangerous for people on 57 medications, including:

Remember that products advertised online aren’t always listed accurately.

One study found that only about one-third of CBD products sold online were labeled correctly and that more than 20% of the CBD products contained THC as well.

Legal THC Levels in CBDIf a CBD product contains more than 0.3% THC, it is illegal under federal law.

If a CBD product contains more than 0.3% THC, it is illegal under federal law.

If you live in a state that has cannabis dispensaries, it may be worth buying CBD products in person. The people who work at dispensaries are generally knowledgeable about the effects of CBD and can guide you to a product that does not contain the psychoactive ingredient THC.

If you must order your CBD online, choose an American-made product, which offers a bit of peace of mind about manufacturing and production.

When selecting a CBD product, you’ll have to choose between:

Do THC Levels in CBD Show Up on Drug Tests?If you need to be drug-tested for work or other reasons, the THC present in full-spectrum CBD can show on a drug test.

Do THC Levels in CBD Show Up on Drug Tests?

If you need to be drug-tested for work or other reasons, the THC present in full-spectrum CBD can show on a drug test.

Talk to your healthcare provider and be sure that you thoroughly understand the laws in your state, as well as policies from your employer when it comes to consuming even low levels of THC.

A Word From Verywell

Living with diabetes can be difficult, and it’s natural to want to seek out any and all treatment options that can make your life a bit more comfortable and healthful.

While CBD could potentially have promise in controlling blood sugar levels and may even help prevent diabetes, the research is preliminary. Healthcare providers don’t fully understand the benefits or the drawbacks of CBD for most conditions, including diabetes.

If you’re considering using CBD and are diabetic, you should have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider. Your practitioner should be able to help weigh the benefits and risks of CBD and guide you on how to find high-quality CBD if you choose to take it.

24 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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