CBD Oil and Diabetes: Does CBD Lower Blood Sugar Levels?

CBD Oil and diabetes, what does the research provide insight into their relationship?

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterised by various symptoms, including elevated blood sugar, among other concerning biomarkers.

Over time, the body develops wear and tear from external influences in the environment, dietary choices, and a lack of exercise. This damage can eventually impact the body’s metabolic pathways, preventing them from performing optimally.

Luckily, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is intimately connected to our body’s metabolism.

While we won’t speak on the relationship between CBD oil and diabetes directly, we will refer to the endocannabinoid system’s ability to navigate the challenges associated with high blood sugar and diabetes.

If you are looking for us to recommend the best CBD oil for diabetes type 1 is, or if you’re asking, “does CBD oil lower blood pressure?” then we’re here to tell you that more research is warranted on the subject. At this time, we are waiting for relevant agencies, such as the FSA, to announce the appropriate uses of cannabidiol. While we are waiting for these statements, our content will continue to investigate the human ECS’s potential and the cannabidiol’s relevant cellular activities.

Metabolic Restoration

On a technical level, CBD does have an impact on our cell’s mitochondria. The mitochondrion is a cellular organ responsible for fuel metabolism and energy production.

Cannabidiol has been shown to regulate the flow of Ca2+ ions to and from the mitochondria. This balanced Ca2+ movement helps to reduce the proliferation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS cause oxidative stress, which is one of the hallmark signs of diabetic pathogenesis.

Additionally, CBD has been shown to prevent β-cell damage incurred from type 1 diabetes. In the case of diabetes 1 pathology, pancreatic β-cell’s are attacked by the immune system, preventing their ability to produce balanced levels of insulin. Other naturally occurring, broad-spectrum hemp compounds may provide additional relevant properties.

While CBD does have these interesting cellular properties, more research needs to be enacted before it is known if these properties will assist with diabetes care.

Biomarkers Associated with Diabetes

The following list provides an overview of the physical markers that often co-occur with diabetes:

• Oxidative Damage
• Insulin Resistance
• Inflammation
• High Blood Sugar
• High Blood Pressure
• High Triglycerides
• High LDL Cholesterol
• Low HDL cholesterol

In the remainder of this article, we will review how the human endocannabinoid system, which is closely related to naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds, can intervene in each of these areas.

Oxidative Damage

Oxidative damage is intimately connected to the progression of diabetes. This damage impacts mitochondrial functioning, as well as microvascular and cardiovascular performance.

Luckily, the endocannabinoid system provides incredible anti-oxidative potential. The balanced activity of the two central endocannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, can help reduce the impact of oxidative damage.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is difficult to identify, as insulin testing is a complicated procedure typically reserved for research. However, if an individual is displaying a-typical blood sugar, triglyceride, LDL, or HDL levels, then a qualified medical care provider may be able to diagnose this dysfunction.

Insulin is produced by the cells of the pancreas. This signalling compound communicates with the body’s cells, allowing them to leverage the sugar in the bloodstream.

Over time, the body’s cells can become resistant to the insulin released by the pancreas. When our cells are resistant to insulin, they won’t respond by consuming circulating sugar. While the sugar levels stay elevated, even more insulin is produced, furthering the desensitisation. Ultimately, the targeted cells will ignore both the insulin and the sugar around them, resulting in hyperglycaemia.

Healthy CB1 receptor activity will help to reduce this insulin resistance while balancing blood triglycerides and cholesterol. This is one of the many reasons that proper care and feeding of the ECS is so essential.

Inflammation

Diabetes is an inflammatory condition where a variety of systems are impacted by chronic inflammation.

The endocannabinoid system is excellent at assisting with inflammatory symptoms. Many physical and mental pathologies involve inflammation, meaning that adding anti-inflammatory agents to our regimen can help reduce discomfort in many ways. 

High Blood Sugar

Individuals with a certain sugar level per litre of blood (approx. 140mg/dl) are diagnosed with hyperglycaemia. This sugar level almost always occurs as a result of insulin resistance or a lack of circulating insulin. 

As mentioned above, the endocannabinoid system has been shown to assist with insulin resistance. As insulin resistance goes down, insulin can communicate with the cells, allowing them to leverage the sugar circulating in the blood. As the cells consume this sugar, blood concentrations will be reduced gradually.

Blood Pressure:

High blood pressure often co-occurs with diabetes. It is believed that increased fat consumption, sodium-rich diets, long-term inflammation, and a lack of exercise will contribute to both diseases’ progressions, leading to their simultaneous diagnosis or apparent development.

Luckily the ECS attenuates blood pressure. One of the two major endogenous cannabinoid signalling compounds (anandamide) is related to hypotension (the reduction of blood pressure). This reduction in blood pressure can happen acutely with the introduction of AEA.

CBD is shown to inhibit the FAAH enzyme, which metabolizes anandamide. With FAAH inhibited, AEA levels rise in the body, interacting with vital physiological locations. Still, more research is needed to understand the direct relationship between blood pressure and CBD.

Triglycerides, LDL, and HDL

Diabetes also has a correlation to the levels of each of these fatty lipids. Triglyceride elevation and HDL reduction are commonly associated with diabetes. LDL is less likely to be modified due to diabetes, but the lifestyle choices surrounding this disorder may impact LDL regardless.

A supportive ECS will help to uplift healthy HDL levels, balance triglycerides, and lower LDL cholesterol. Keep in mind that caring for the endocannabinoid system is an extensive process, requiring proper diet, movement, and stress management.
While we offer our first-class CBD as an overall wellness tonic, we do not recommend using this herbal agent for any medical condition. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with or are concerned about high blood sugar levels or metabolic syndrome development, please refer to a qualified medical professional.