Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsOther FormsSide EffectsInteractions and Warnings
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Other Forms
Side Effects
Interactions and Warnings
The use of medical marijuana has been steadily increasing. Because of this, healthcare providers have been trying to gain a better understanding of its effects on health. This has led to some interesting research findings of the potential benefits of using medical marijuana in helping to manage symptoms ofdiabetes.
This article covers the benefits of medical marijuana for diabetes and the possible side effects of using it.
What Is Medical Marijuana?The term medical marijuana, or medical cannabis, refers to the use of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plantCannabis sativafor certified medical purposes.As of 2023, thirty-eight US states have legalized medical marijuana, which can be obtained with a prescription from a state-licensed dispensary.
What Is Medical Marijuana?
The term medical marijuana, or medical cannabis, refers to the use of dried flowers and leaves from the hemp plantCannabis sativafor certified medical purposes.As of 2023, thirty-eight US states have legalized medical marijuana, which can be obtained with a prescription from a state-licensed dispensary.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Benefits of Marijuana for Diabetes
Some research studies suggest there are benefits of using marijuana to help with diabetes. The effects of cannabis on diabetes are still not fully understood, so you should discuss marijuana use with your healthcare provider.
Managing Blood Sugar
Marijuana may be able to help with managing your blood sugar levels, and it could help to improveinsulin resistancewith type 2 diabetes.
Studies found that marijuana could help increase insulin sensitivity, and some have associated a lower fasting insulin level compared to those who were not using marijuana recreationally.
Even though some of the research is promising about the benefits of cannabis on blood sugar control, there still isn’t enough research to be clear about its influence.
Researchers have also found a risk for higher hemoglobin A1C test results, a test that measures the average blood glucose levels over the past three months. The risk was associated with swings in blood sugar levels causing more frequent highs and lows.
Managing Weight
Marijuana could also help with managing your weight.
A risk factor for developing diabetes is waist circumference, which is used to measure how much extra fat is carried around the abdomen.
One research study found recreational marijuana use was associated with smaller waist circumference.This could help to lower the risk of insulin resistance and the chance of developing diabetes.
Marijuana and Weight GainMarijuana use may also lead to weight gain in some people because it can increase food cravings. Often these cravings are for foods that are high in carbohydrates and calories.
Marijuana and Weight Gain
Marijuana use may also lead to weight gain in some people because it can increase food cravings. Often these cravings are for foods that are high in carbohydrates and calories.
Managing Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathyis a common complication of uncontrolled diabetes when high blood sugar levels can lead to nerve damage in the arms and legs.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Cannabis could help with managing nerve pain from diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
One study found that marijuana use was associated with short-term relief from pain in patients who were resistant to other treatment options.Cannabis treatment could also help to protect the nerves from damage through its anti-inflammatory properties and help to prevent peripheral neuropathy.
Preventing Diabetic Retinopathy
This reduced risk was likely due to reduced inflammation and oxidative stress. Further research is needed to assess these effects in humans.
Other Forms of Cannabis
Cannabis is available in a variety of forms, from an unprocessed version—often called weed—to the oils that can be used to infuse food or beverages.
CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant. It doesn’t have the strong psychoactive effects that marijuana has and is commonly used for medicinal purposes.
CBD Oil: The Science Behind This Cannabis Plant Extract
CBD oils and sprays also show potential for being able to help with some of the complications of diabetes. One study found that in some patients who are resistant to other treatments for diabetic nerve pain, using a topical CBD spray to treat pain showed improvements in response to CBD spray treatment compared to the placebo group.
Side Effects of Cannabis
Cannabis can affect your health—both mentally and physically—in a variety of ways.
Possible adverse effects of marijuana use:
Possible health benefits include:
Cannabis could interfere with the effectiveness of your diabetes medications, so you should be careful with monitoring your blood sugar levels if you are under the influence of marijuana.
If you’re in an altered mental state because of marijuana, it could make it more difficult for you to manage your diabetes. You could:
In such cases, have someone with you who is not under the influence of marijuana and has a thorough understanding of how to manage diabetes, so they can help you with checking blood sugar levels and medications.
Marijuana Is Not Legal EverywhereNot all forms of cannabis are legal in every state. Research your state laws to ensure that you are using legal forms of cannabis for your state.
Marijuana Is Not Legal Everywhere
Not all forms of cannabis are legal in every state. Research your state laws to ensure that you are using legal forms of cannabis for your state.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosisis a life-threatening condition where the body isn’t able to get enough glucose for energy and resorts to using other fuel. This leads to the buildup of blood acids or ketones.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is more common in people with type 1 diabetes if they aren’t properly taking their medications, but it can also affect people with type 2 diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis are:
One study found that recreational cannabis use doubled the risk for diabetic ketoacidosis for people with type 1 diabetes.This was attributed to worse management of diabetes, including increased intake of high-carb foods and forgetting to take medications.
Heart and Kidney Disease
Other common complications of diabetes are increased risk for heart disease and kidney damage. A study found that recreational cannabis use may increase those risks. The researchers reported increased risks for:
However, the researchers noted that the results were based on limited studies and more evidence is needed to confirm the effects.
High Blood Sugar
The hypothalamus is a region in the brain that plays a central role in regulating hunger, metabolism, and the maintenance of your body’s energy levels.
In other words, whether you smoke, vaporize, or eat medical cannabis, expect to gethungry. This effect is often called “the munchies.” For many people, the munchies cause excessive eating.
If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, giving in to cravings for foods that raise blood sugar can be dangerous, so it’s important to exercise self-control.
Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to help avoid excessive eating and unhealthy foods when the munchies strike:
Summary
Research shows that the use of medical marijuana may help regulate blood sugar, increase weight loss, and prevent neuropathic pain. However, cannabis has also been associated with severe food cravings (“the munchies”) and binges, which can lead to blood sugar spikes. To help yourself avoid this risk, prepare some healthy snacks before you use cannabis, and drink lots of water throughout the day.
Marijuana may also increase the risk for diabetes-related conditions, including diabetic ketoacidosis as well as heart and kidney disease. However, the effects are still being studied. If you are considering medical marijuana but aren’t sure it is right for you, talk to your healthcare provider.
11 SourcesVerywell 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.Penn Medicine.Medical marijuana FAQs.National Conference of State Legislatures.State medical cannabis laws.Penner EA, Buettner H, Mittleman MA.The impact of marijuana use on glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance among US adults.Ame J Med. 2013;126(7):583-589. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.03.002Porr CJ, Rios P, Bajaj HS, et al.The effects of recreational cannabis use on glycemic outcomes and self-management behaviours in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a rapid review.Systematic Reviews. 2020;9. doi:10.1186/s13643-020-01411-9Wallace MS, Marcotte TD, Umlauf A, Gouaux B, Atkinson JH.Efficacy of inhaled cannabis on painful diabetic neuropathy.J Pain. 2015;16(7):616-627. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2015.03.008Bennici A, Mannucci C, Calapai F, et al.Safety of medical cannabis in neuropathic chronic pain management.Molecules. 2021 Oct;26(20):6257. doi:10.3390/molecules26206257Safi S, Qvist R, Kumar S, Batumalaie K, Ismail I.Molecular mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy, general preventive strategies, and novel therapeutic targets.Biomed Res Int. 2014 Jul;2014(1):1-18. doi:10.1155/2014/801269Serpell M, Ratcliffe S, Hovorka J, et al.A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of THC/CBD spray in peripheral neuropathic pain treatment.Euro J Pain. 2014;18(7):999-1012. doi:10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00445.xKoch M.Cannabinoid receptor signaling in central regulation of feeding behavior: A mini-review.Front Neurosci. 2017 May;11(1):293. doi:10.3389/fnins.2017.00293Farokhnia M, McDiarmid G, Newmeyer M, et al.Effects of oral, smoked, and vaporized cannabis on endocrine pathways related to appetite and metabolism: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled, human laboratory study.Transl Psychiatry. 2020 Feb;10(1):71. doi:10.1038/s41398-020-0756-3Johns Hopkins University.Yes, drinking more water may help you lose weight.
11 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.Penn Medicine.Medical marijuana FAQs.National Conference of State Legislatures.State medical cannabis laws.Penner EA, Buettner H, Mittleman MA.The impact of marijuana use on glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance among US adults.Ame J Med. 2013;126(7):583-589. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.03.002Porr CJ, Rios P, Bajaj HS, et al.The effects of recreational cannabis use on glycemic outcomes and self-management behaviours in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a rapid review.Systematic Reviews. 2020;9. doi:10.1186/s13643-020-01411-9Wallace MS, Marcotte TD, Umlauf A, Gouaux B, Atkinson JH.Efficacy of inhaled cannabis on painful diabetic neuropathy.J Pain. 2015;16(7):616-627. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2015.03.008Bennici A, Mannucci C, Calapai F, et al.Safety of medical cannabis in neuropathic chronic pain management.Molecules. 2021 Oct;26(20):6257. doi:10.3390/molecules26206257Safi S, Qvist R, Kumar S, Batumalaie K, Ismail I.Molecular mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy, general preventive strategies, and novel therapeutic targets.Biomed Res Int. 2014 Jul;2014(1):1-18. doi:10.1155/2014/801269Serpell M, Ratcliffe S, Hovorka J, et al.A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of THC/CBD spray in peripheral neuropathic pain treatment.Euro J Pain. 2014;18(7):999-1012. doi:10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00445.xKoch M.Cannabinoid receptor signaling in central regulation of feeding behavior: A mini-review.Front Neurosci. 2017 May;11(1):293. doi:10.3389/fnins.2017.00293Farokhnia M, McDiarmid G, Newmeyer M, et al.Effects of oral, smoked, and vaporized cannabis on endocrine pathways related to appetite and metabolism: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled, human laboratory study.Transl Psychiatry. 2020 Feb;10(1):71. doi:10.1038/s41398-020-0756-3Johns Hopkins University.Yes, drinking more water may help you lose weight.
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.
Penn Medicine.Medical marijuana FAQs.National Conference of State Legislatures.State medical cannabis laws.Penner EA, Buettner H, Mittleman MA.The impact of marijuana use on glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance among US adults.Ame J Med. 2013;126(7):583-589. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.03.002Porr CJ, Rios P, Bajaj HS, et al.The effects of recreational cannabis use on glycemic outcomes and self-management behaviours in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a rapid review.Systematic Reviews. 2020;9. doi:10.1186/s13643-020-01411-9Wallace MS, Marcotte TD, Umlauf A, Gouaux B, Atkinson JH.Efficacy of inhaled cannabis on painful diabetic neuropathy.J Pain. 2015;16(7):616-627. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2015.03.008Bennici A, Mannucci C, Calapai F, et al.Safety of medical cannabis in neuropathic chronic pain management.Molecules. 2021 Oct;26(20):6257. doi:10.3390/molecules26206257Safi S, Qvist R, Kumar S, Batumalaie K, Ismail I.Molecular mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy, general preventive strategies, and novel therapeutic targets.Biomed Res Int. 2014 Jul;2014(1):1-18. doi:10.1155/2014/801269Serpell M, Ratcliffe S, Hovorka J, et al.A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of THC/CBD spray in peripheral neuropathic pain treatment.Euro J Pain. 2014;18(7):999-1012. doi:10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00445.xKoch M.Cannabinoid receptor signaling in central regulation of feeding behavior: A mini-review.Front Neurosci. 2017 May;11(1):293. doi:10.3389/fnins.2017.00293Farokhnia M, McDiarmid G, Newmeyer M, et al.Effects of oral, smoked, and vaporized cannabis on endocrine pathways related to appetite and metabolism: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled, human laboratory study.Transl Psychiatry. 2020 Feb;10(1):71. doi:10.1038/s41398-020-0756-3Johns Hopkins University.Yes, drinking more water may help you lose weight.
Penn Medicine.Medical marijuana FAQs.
National Conference of State Legislatures.State medical cannabis laws.
Penner EA, Buettner H, Mittleman MA.The impact of marijuana use on glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance among US adults.Ame J Med. 2013;126(7):583-589. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.03.002
Porr CJ, Rios P, Bajaj HS, et al.The effects of recreational cannabis use on glycemic outcomes and self-management behaviours in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a rapid review.Systematic Reviews. 2020;9. doi:10.1186/s13643-020-01411-9
Wallace MS, Marcotte TD, Umlauf A, Gouaux B, Atkinson JH.Efficacy of inhaled cannabis on painful diabetic neuropathy.J Pain. 2015;16(7):616-627. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2015.03.008
Bennici A, Mannucci C, Calapai F, et al.Safety of medical cannabis in neuropathic chronic pain management.Molecules. 2021 Oct;26(20):6257. doi:10.3390/molecules26206257
Safi S, Qvist R, Kumar S, Batumalaie K, Ismail I.Molecular mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy, general preventive strategies, and novel therapeutic targets.Biomed Res Int. 2014 Jul;2014(1):1-18. doi:10.1155/2014/801269
Serpell M, Ratcliffe S, Hovorka J, et al.A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of THC/CBD spray in peripheral neuropathic pain treatment.Euro J Pain. 2014;18(7):999-1012. doi:10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00445.x
Koch M.Cannabinoid receptor signaling in central regulation of feeding behavior: A mini-review.Front Neurosci. 2017 May;11(1):293. doi:10.3389/fnins.2017.00293
Farokhnia M, McDiarmid G, Newmeyer M, et al.Effects of oral, smoked, and vaporized cannabis on endocrine pathways related to appetite and metabolism: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled, human laboratory study.Transl Psychiatry. 2020 Feb;10(1):71. doi:10.1038/s41398-020-0756-3
Johns Hopkins University.Yes, drinking more water may help you lose weight.
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