Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical in cannabis that researchers claim might offer relief against various medical conditions. 

Over the years, CBD has been used primarily to treat diseases whose primary symptoms include pain and anxiety, such as fibromyalgia and post-traumatic stress disorder, respectively. 

However, it’s now emerging that cannabidiol might help with numerous other diseases like cancer, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and even diabetes. 

This post shall focus on the role of CBD in treating diabetes.

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Understanding Diabetes and the Role of CBD

There are two types of diabetes, namely, Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. 

Now, the body secretes a hormone known as insulin, which regulates blood glucose levels. 

Type 1 diabetes results from little or no insulin in the body, which means that the body doesn’t use glucose effectively. Instead, glucose molecules remain in the bloodstream, thereby harming blood vessels and depriving cells of essential nutrients. 

On the other hand, type 2 diabetes occurs when the body produces enough insulin, but cells do not respond to insulin levels. This condition is known as insulin resistance. 

Regardless of their origin, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are characterized by one major problem – excess blood glucose levels. The situation is usually worse for people living with type 2 diabetes, where insulin resistance might also increase inflammation. 

Like most diabetes medications, cannabidiol helps to manage the condition by relieving some of its worst symptoms, such as pain and inflammation. The substance has also been associated with diabetes prevention. 

And the best part is, CBD can treat diabetes in both humans and pets. If your furry friend is diabetic, all you need to do is shop for high-quality CBD products from established sellers, then use the substance to relieve various diabetes symptoms. 

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CBD and Diabetes Pain

Pain is one of the common problems that marijuana doctors usually recommend cannabidiol for. So, the fact that pain also happens to be one of the core symptoms of diabetes makes CBD a potential treatment option for the disease. 

As with most other medical issues, Lazarus Naturals CBD relieves diabetes pain by interacting positively with certain receptors in the body that control pain perception. The substance has also been associated with anandamide signaling. Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that produces numerous therapeutic properties, one of which is pain relief. 

A 2017 study appearing in the Pain found that CBD could ease pain and inflammation in rats with osteoarthritis.  

CBD and Diabetes Inflammation

Inflammation is a characteristic symptom of type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, inflammation is also one of the many diabetes-related complications that you can treat using CBD. CBD alleviates inflammation by inhibiting the body’s inflammatory messenger activity. 

In one study, researchers attempted to investigate the effects of CBD on inflammation triggered by high blood glucose levels. The study showed that CBD reduced inflammation by exerting positive effects on various inflammatory markers. Researchers concluded that the substance might attenuate the damage that high glucose levels might cause to blood vessels’ walls.

Another study appearing in the Journal of Experimental Medicine indicates that CBD helped to ease chronic inflammation and neuropathic pain in rats.  

CBD and Diabetes Prevention

Not only can cannabidiol treat the most bothersome symptoms of diabetes. The compound can also lower the risks of developing the disease altogether. 

According to a study published in the Autoimmunity journal, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice demonstrated lower risks of developing diabetes after treatment with cannabidiol. 

CBD’s anti-diabetes properties have not been directly investigated. However, researchers opine that those properties might be due to the numerous antioxidants in cannabis, such as flavonoids. 

To enjoy cannabidiol’s antioxidant properties, it’s important to choose CBD products formulated with various cannabis compounds, including the mind-altering tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as well as cannabigerol (CBG), terpenes, and flavonoids. Such products are usually labeled ‘full-spectrum CBD.’ 

When administered, the various compounds in full-spectrum cannabis products deliver compounded medical benefits via a mechanism called the entourage effect. 

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How to Use CBD Effectively For Diabetes

Cannabidiol’s effectiveness against diabetes depends on how you use the substance. 

First, you should choose the right delivery method. Some of the popular ways to consume CBD include vaping CBD oils, smoking dried hemp flowers, oral administration of CBD tinctures, topical application of CBD ointments, and CBD edibles. 

Each of these delivery methods comes with its perks. 

For instance, CBD topicals are most effective for relieving localized inflammation. Edibles are recommended for their long-lasting benefits, whereas smoking and vaping come with a faster onset time.  

After settling on the right delivery method, the next step is to choose your dose. 

Generally, CBD has no ideal dose. The amount of the substance you consume depends on your age, body chemistry, the severity of diabetes symptoms, or the strength of cannabidiol in a product. Even so, it’s important to start low and work your way up incrementally. 

Last but not least, remember to consult your doctor before using CBD for diabetes. That’s especially if you’re already on certain medications.

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Cannabidiol may not be a magic pill for diabetes. However, CBD may help treat some of the disease’s worrying symptoms, such as pain and inflammation. Certain studies even suggest that CBD might prevent diabetes from occurring in the first place. As a parting shot, remember that diabetes is a lifestyle disease. As such, its prevention or treatment also relies on making certain lifestyle adjustments, especially with regards to diet and exercise.