Diabetes & Cannabis
Consistant medical studies have shown lower prevalence rates of obesity and diabetes mellitus in both recreational and medical cannabis users compared with people who have never used cannabis, suggesting a relationship between cannabinoids and peripheral metabolic processes. This study of more than 4,500 patients found that cannabis use was associated with lower levels of fasting insulin (less diabetes) and smaller waistlines.
Recreational and medical cannabis users have lower incident of diabetes, better insulin levels and smaller wastelines despite the fact their caloric intake is higher.
At the same time cannabis use is associated with an acute increase in caloric intake, and people who smoke/vape cannabis have higher average caloric intake levels than nonusers. Despite these associations with increased caloric intake, cannabis use has been associated with lower body mass
index (BMI) and a lower prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus. Why this is has not yet been determined.
Cannabis is also good for the neuropathic pain all too often associated with diabetes, by inhibiting glutamate release. Glutamate is one of the primary stimulatory neurotransmitters, but when present at excessive concentrations, it perpetuates neuropathic pain and may even provoke cell death after head injury or stroke. The endocannabinoids are naturally secreted after such insults and act to inhibit glutamate release, thereby alleviating neuropathic pain and reducing cell death.
Cannabinoids Can Halt Diabetes"It can be suggested that THCV may be useful for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome and/or type 2 diabetes (adult onset diabetes), either alone or in combination with existing treatments. Given the reported benefits of another non-THC cannabinoid, CBD in type 1 diabetes, a CBD/THCV combination may be beneficial for different types of diabetes mellitus.”
Cannabidiol (CBD) protects the liver
Cannabidiol (CBD) protects the liver from steatosis – the accumulation of fats and lipids. As we know, cannabidol (CBD) may have anti-oxidant effects. Couple that with the constituent’s lack of psychoactivity, and it makes sense why the team of researchers from China and Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York chose to investigate its ability to counter alcohol-induced oxidative stress in the liver.
In doing so, they injected mice with ethanol twice a day for five days. This was intended to model the impact of binge drinking on one’s liver. Prior to this, a group of the mice were administered CBD (cannabidiol) as a preventive measure.
Sure enough, the study’s results showed that CBD may protect the liver from steatosis – the accumulation of fats and lipids. The researchers suggested that this was potentially the result of cannabidiol’s inhibition of oxidative stress and activation of pathways associated with fat accumulation.
The accumulation of fat in the liver can lead to much more serious problems like cirrhosis of the liver (i.e. scarring of the liver that may lead to liver failure) if it gets out of hand. With that said, there is no easy way to go about “curing” the disease once it occurs, so taking a preventive approach is best.
Enhancing Your eCSEnhancing your natural endocannabinoids system which is the chief homeostatic regulator in humans and all vertebrates is desireable. As part of its homeostatic nature, the system plays a role in and protects against virtually all major diseases. This book outlines the components of the endocannabinoid system, how it interacts with different diseases, and most importantly, how anyone can enhance their endocannabinoid system to improve health. Learn more about the dietary and lifestyle changes.
