Marijuana is a drug that many of us sleep on regarding its medicinal properties. In fact, it had been used as medicine by varying cultures throughout history. Given the proper dosage and the application, it can be used to treat a variety of health complications. This includes concerns regarding blood sugar.
Over the years, avid research has proven that medical cannabis (marijuana) is able to influence the body’s blood sugar and metabolism, which are key in combating diabetes. This is made possible by the family of compounds known as cannabinoids found within the drug. Among them, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabidiol (CBD) were shown to have positive benefits towards the aforementioned health concern.
Both compounds are able to improve metabolism and blood glucose. A 2016 study also adds that they decrease blood glucose level as well as increase insulin production in people suffering from type-2 diabetes (thus identifying a new ‘therapeutic agent for glycemic control’ as stated).
Research brought forth by the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis (AAMC) stated the many helpful effects of cannabis as a a whole. The drug is able to stabilize blood sugar, suppress bouts of arterial inflammation that usually leads to cardiovascular disease, stimulate body and brain receptors to prevent nerve inflammation and ease pain of neuropathy (damage or dysfunction of the nerves). It can also lower blood pressure over time and keep blood vessels open to improve blood flow and circulation.
Additionally, evidence published in 2014 by the Natural Medicine Journal concluded that marijuana users have significantly lower levels of fasting insulin, blood glucose, insulin resistance, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI). In 2015, researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem proved that the ability of CBD to address and counteract inflammations is effective in treating different illnesses – including type-2 diabetes.1-4 weesk of CBD treatment also provides significant protection from diabetic retinopathy, which is a leading cause of vision loss among those stricken with diabetes.
Marijuana can indeed relieve blood sugar problems as well as ease pains or slow the progression of diabetes in a person’s system. However, there is still the need to check an individual’s capacity in accepting the drug in his or her body. Not everyone is willingly receptive to the cannabis, and there will be certain side effects – depending on what strain or dose is to be used. People who are just about to consider using marijuana as a medicinal drug are advised to use it responsibly.
A proper prescription from a medical professional is crucial before obtaining medical cannabis. Your physician-in-charge should state the eligibility of your condition to be treated by the drug (do not purchase or use the drug on your own accord). Once you are cleared to do so, intake of the drug is either via vapor, smoke, eaten as cookies or candy, or as a liquid extract (spray or oral drops). A schedule will be implemented to keep the person from taking more than what is needed.
Caution is always an important factor in using drugs to treat health impairments, especially when blood sugar is concerned. Being wary of what you take and how much you take helps in keeping the mind and body happy and worry-free.
