Diabetes And Medical Marijuana
Diabetes mellitus is a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by defects in insulin secretion resulting in hyperglycemia (abnormally high concentration of glucose in the blood). There are two primary types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes) are incapable of producing pancreatic insulin and must rely on insulin medication for survival. Type 2 diabetes (also known as adult onset diabetes) produce inadequate amounts of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a less serious condition that typically is controlled by diet. Over time, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure nerve damage, hardening of the arteries and death. The disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer. A search of the scientific literature reveals no clinical investigations of cannabis for the treatment of diabetes, but does identify a small number of preclinical studies indicating that cannabinoids may modify the disease’s progression and provide symptomatic relief to those suffering from the disease. 2006 Study—5 mg. per day injection of CBD significantly reduced the incidence of diabetes in mice. Also delayed the onset of diabetes in mice. March 2006 American Journal of Pathology—Study done at the Medical College of Virginia—Rats treated with CBD (from 1-4 weeks) experienced protection from diabetic retinopathy (condition characterized by retinal oxygen deprivation and a breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier, is the leading cause of blindness in working age adults). Studies reported in the journal of Neuroscience Letters in 2004—Mice given a cannabis receptor agonist experienced a reduction in diabetic related tactile allodynia (pain resulting from non-injurious stimulus to the skin) compared to non-treated controls Continue reading >>
Medical Marijuana And Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus (also known as primary diabetes) affects approximately 8.3% of the US population and 6.8% of Canadians. In 2007, diabetes contributed to over 200,000 deaths in the US alone. Although the early development of insulin medications made diabetes treatable, no cure exists and symptoms tend to worsen as the disease progresses. Now, a growing body of evidence points to medical marijuana as a promising therapy. In fact, research shows that marijuana may not only be useful for managing symptoms of pain and cardiovascular disease, but also aid in combating the disease itself. What is Diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels. The two most common forms of diabetes are known as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in individuals under the age of 30 and involves an autoimmune attack on islet cells of the pancreas – cells that produce insulin. Approximately 10% of diabetics suffer from Type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is far more common and tends to affect individuals that are obese and over the age of 40. It is usually a result of a combination of defective insulin production and insulin resistance. In both types of diabetes, high blood sugar levels eventually lead to a variety of other metabolic and non-metabolic complications. Endocannabinoids and Diabetes Endocannabinoids are natural compounds found within all humans that happen to act in a similar way as plant-derived cannabinoids such as THC. Along with cannabinoid receptors, they make up what is known as the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoid receptors have been identified in the pancreas, heart, blood vessels, nervous system and many other organs – all of which suggests a potential role for cannabinoids in treating Continue reading >>
Medical Marijuana May Lower Blood Sugar, Help Diabetics Control Disease
The study of medical marijuana seems to be gathering steam, as another new study of its health benefits was published today in The American Journal of Medicine. In a multicenter collaboration, researchers found that regular marijuana use was associated with better blood sugar control in diabetics, according to an Elsevier press release. The team reported that marijuana use was linked to lower fasting insulin and a lower risk of insulin resistance. The team used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and studied 4,657 patients who had answered questions on drug use. Of these, 579 were current marijuana users, 1,957 were former users, and 2,103 had never used. Fasting insulin and glucose levels were measured in all patients, Elsevier said. They found that recent use of marijuana was correlated with lower levels of fasting insulin and smaller chance of insulin resistance. This correlation was weaker in the people who were former marijuana users, suggesting the effects on insulin persist so long as cannabis is used regularly, Elsevier said. Fasting insulin levels were 16 percent lower in marijuana users than in participants who had never used the drug. "It is possible that the inverse association in fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance seen among current marijuana users could be in part due to changes in usage patterns among those with a diagnosis of diabetes (i.e., those with diabetes may have been told to cease smoking). However, after we excluded those subjects with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, the associations between marijuana use and insulin levels ... were similar and remained statistically significant," study co-author Elizabeth Penner said in the statement. American Journal of Medicine editor-in-chief Joseph Alpert, who wrote Continue reading >>
Is Marijuana Good For Diabetes?
Susan B. Sloane, BS, RPh, CDE, has been a registered pharmacist for more than 20 years and a Certified Diabetes Educator for more than 15 years. Her two sons were diagnosed with diabetes, and since then, she has been dedicated to promoting wellness and optimal outcomes as a patient advocate, information expert, educator, and corporate partner. Preliminary results of this study showed people who smoked marijuana seemed to have less insulin resistance, seen as lower fasting insulin levels, than those who did not use the substance. Marijuana users also seemed to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) as well. The exact reasons for this remain unclear, but it appears to have something to do with cannaboid receptors being activated and then potentially deactivated with prolonged marijuana use. This study poses an interesting theory of how weight and brain chemistry are related, but in my opinion this is in no way conclusive evidence that marijuana can effectively lower weight and help treat diabetes. If anything, it may further assist researchers on finding better medications to treat chronic diseases. This is a controversial study, but it's interesting when we look at some of the mechanisms of how weight-loss drugs work. Personally, I am not in favor of marijuana being legalized, but I find the study compelling and worth understanding. To learn more on this topic: Pot for Pain? Treating Neuropathy Pain with THC Scientist: Marijuana May Treat Diabetes Discussion: Marijuana Use Tags: Treatment and Care marijuana alternative treatments Continue reading >>
Cannabis And Diabetes
According to recent studies smoking weed and using Cannabis products may help regulate body fat, body mass index (BMI), and lower the risk of diabetes by helping the following areas: [dt_vc_list dividers=”false”] Control Blood Sugar Reduce Neuropathic Pain Control Insulin Levels Reduce Risk of Retinal Neuropathy immunomodulation [/dt_vc_list] Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by either the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the body not being able the use the insulin that is has produced. Insulin is a hormone that that regulates your blood sugar. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 422 million people worldwide had diabetes in 2014. Type 1 Diabetes – Associated with deficient insulin production requiring daily doses of insulin. The lack of insulin production causes blood sugar to increase unnaturally, usually developed in childhood or adolescence, cause unknown. Type 2 Diabetes – Commonly called adult-onset diabetes, this form is characterized by the ineffective use of the insulin produced. This group comprises the majority of people with diabetes worldwide and is typically the result of excess body fat and lack of enough physical exercise. According to the 2014 National Diabetes Statistical Report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a total of 29.1 million people in the United States has diabetes. 21 million have been formally diagnosed and 8.1 million people are undiagnosed. This means that 27.8% of people with diabetes are undiagnosed and therefore most likely unaware. In 2014, 8.5% of Americans 18 and older had diabetes. Key Facts on Diabetes according to the World Health Organization (WHO): The number of people with diabetes has risen from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. The global preval Continue reading >>
Top 5 Benefits Of Cannabis For Diabetes
Diabetes is the term for a group of related metabolic disorders characterized by prolonged high blood glucose levels. Diabetes affects almost 400 million people worldwide, resulting in up to five million deaths per year--and its prevalence is rising. Substantial evidence indicates that cannabis may prevent and treat the disease. Diabetes is the term for a group of related metabolic disorders characterized by prolonged high blood glucose levels. Diabetes affects almost 400 million people worldwide, resulting in up to five million deaths per year–and its prevalence is rising. Substantial evidence indicates that cannabis may prevent and treat the disease. Preventative Diabetes is associated with high levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance, as well as low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). In 2013, the results of a five-year study into the effects of cannabis on fasting insulin and insulin resistance were published in the American Journal of Medicine. Of the 4,657 respondents, 2,554 had used cannabis in their lifetime (579 were current users and 1,975 were past users) and 2,103 had never used the drug. The researchers found that current users of cannabis had 16% lower fasting insulin levels than respondents who had never used cannabis, as well as having 17% lower levels of insulin resistance and higher levels of HDL-C. Respondents who had used cannabis in their lifetime but were not current users showed similar but less pronounced associations, indicating that the protective effect of cannabis fades with time. The researchers also ran analyses on the data that excluded individuals diagnosed with diabetes. Even after excluding diabetics, current cannabis users were found to exhibit reduced fasting insulin and insulin resistance levels, indica Continue reading >>
How Does Medical Marijuana Help With Diabetic Patients?
How can marijuana make users lose weight despite the medical drug having a unique effect of giving them a case of "the munchies"? Moreover, why are most marijuana users not obese, are at a much lower risk for diabetes and have lower BMIs than that of a non-cannabis user, despite the fact that medical marijuana stimulates the appetite which leads them to consume more calories? The key factor lies in metabolism. Murray Mittleman, professor of medicine over at Harvard Medical School, has an answer- those who used cannabis had a much lower insulin level and maintained a normal blood-sugar level better than non-users. The study had more than 4,000 men and women participating in a National Health and Nutrition Exam Survey. About 48 percent of the population smoked marijuana at least one time in their lives, and about 12 percent were consuming medical cannabis. Other control factors included physical activity, alcohol use, cigarette use, income, sex, and age. Users who smoked marijuana showed optimal fasting insulin levels of 16 percent or more as compared to the non-users; they also had a markedly higher lipoprotein density, which is also called the "good cholesterol". Regular cannabis users have a remarkably smaller waistline than those who never used their whole life. These findings and connections between cannabis and diabetes are still unclear as of the moment, but politics can muddle up further research before anything is concluded. One suggestion is that the cannabis brain receptors are largely about controlling metabolism and appetite, but there's no clear line as to exactly what cannabis does in regards to insulin response, caloric intake and appetite. More and more states are now legalizing the use of medical marijuana. There's a certain truth in how c annabis lea Continue reading >>
Marijuana And Type 1 Diabetes
Warning: Content within discusses drugs that are illegal in some jurisdictions. Beyond Type 1 in no way encourages illegal activity and would like to remind its readers that marijuana usage continues to be an offense under US federal law. From Cheech and Chong to Nancy Botwin on Weeds, marijuana has had its share of the spotlight over the years. Legislative consensus is “half baked” with 28 states having legalized medical marijuana (eight of which legalized it for recreational purposes, ages 21+). That means in more than half the states in the US, you can use pot medicinally. Legal or not, depending on where you live and what your ailment or aim is, it doesn’t mean “everybody must get stoned.” It does mean though, if you’re going to “puff the magic dragon,” you should know a few things first. Like dude…what about marijuana and Type 1 diabetes? These are the must-knows and things to consider when it comes to ganja. What’s the law? Find out where it’s legal in the US according to CNN. What are the side effects of marijuana? Like any other drug, marijuana is a mind-altering substance, which is to say, you act, think or feel differently on it. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical known to cause marijuana’s psychological effects. Some report feeling no effect, but this is uncommon. Different stains (types) of marijuana and different ways in which to consume it can also produce varying effects. While your reaction is individual, you should know the wide range of side effects that you could experience when under the influence of marijuana. You could feel… relaxed euphoric sleepy talkative anxious paranoid thirsty hungry What are the long-term effects of marijuana? Because marijuana is not legal under federal law in the US and in other parts o Continue reading >>
Can Diabetes Patients Benefit From Using Marijuana?
Diabetes results from the body’s inability to produce or respond to normal levels of insulin, a hormone responsible for controlling blood glucose (blood sugar). Excess glucose accumulates in the bloodstream when either the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes/juvenile diabetes), or muscle and liver cells no longer respond to insulin’s message to pull glucose from the blood for storage or use (Type 2 diabetes/adult onset diabetes). This leads to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) which can be dangerous as well as causing many devastating long-term complications like stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, or painful nerve damage (neuropathy). Diabetes is typically managed through exercise, dietary restriction, medications, and Insulin shots. What medical researchers are now finding is that Cannabis may be a worthy addition to that list. If you have diabetes, medical marijuana may be able to help you manage your symptoms – and even if you don’t, marijuana could potentially reduce your risk of developing diabetes in the future. Controlling Your Blood Glucose: Cannabis Lowers IR and Fasting Insulin Levels In 2013, the American Journal of Medicine published a long-term, large-scale study examining the relationship between blood sugar, insulin, and insulin resistance (IR). The study examined more than 4,650 adult men and women from 2005 to 2010, of whom about 12.5% (579 study participants) were current Cannabis users. Each participant’s fasting insulin and blood glucose levels were measured after fasting for nine hours. The study found that the participants who were current marijuana users had 17% lower IR and 16% lower fasting insulin levels than participants in the non-using group. This is significant because high fasting insulin levels Continue reading >>
What Conditions Can Be Treated With Medical Marijuana In Florida?
Florida’s medical marijuana law is rather specific about the conditions for which medical marijuana treatment can be applied. The certification course that doctors have to take to be registered as marijuana doctors, who are able to recommend marijuana treatment for patients, includes a section on what conditions they can treat. The database tracking system Florida employs is partly designed to collect evidence of which conditions marijuana treatment is successful in relieving. Marijuana doctors must input information about their patient’s condition, dosage, length of treatment and results. Florida can use this information in the future to support its decision to allow the use of medical marijuana. Medical Marijuana Conditions These conditions are specifically listed in the law as eligible for treatment with medical marijuana: Anxiety Epilepsy Parkinson’s disease ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) Glaucoma Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Anorexia Hepatitis C Seizures Arthritis HIV Severe & chronic pain Back pain Irritable Bowel Syndrome, with chronic abdominal pain Severe nausea Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) Lyme Disease Sickle Cell Anemia Cancer Migraine Spasticity Crohn’s Disease Multiple Sclerosis Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome Muscle spasms Diabetes Muscular Dystrophy Other Medical Marijuana Conditions There is room under Florida law for a marijuana doctor to use his professional judgment in treating someone who is not diagnosed with one of these specific conditions. Any terminal condition is eligible for medical marijuana treatment in Florida. Also, any condition that is similar to the ones specifically listed and is equally debilitating could be treated with medical marijuana. The treatment rules for medical marijuana doctors are clear, however. A treatment relat Continue reading >>
Top Cannabis Strains For Diabetes
Diabetes and Medical Marijuana Treatments For Blood Sugar 17114 Views Top Cannabis Strains for Diabetes Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high blood glucose levels over a prolonged period of time. It affects hundreds of millions of people in the world, thus causing the deaths of millions as well yearly if left untreated. There are several studies that support this. A 2013 study spanning 5 years and involving 4,657 respondents revealed that cannabis users showed 16% less fasting insulin levels, and had 17% less insulin resistance. Obesity is also one of the most significant risk factors for developing diabetes. In 2012 study, overweight rats were successfully able to lose a significant amount of weight and also experienced an improvement in pancreas weight after being administered with organic cannabis extract. A healthier pancreas helps keep diabetes under control. Both THC and CBD, and CBD oil, have its own healing properties when it comes to treating diabetes, but when it comes to choosing the right strain, those with a higher CBD content are highly recommended. However, if you are not prone to anxiety or the munchies, you may also use strains that have some THC content. If you are considering using cannabis for diabetes, here are some strains widely used to treat this condition: Cannatonic is an excellent strain, well-known for its healing properties thanks to a high amount of CBD and low THC. This hybrid strain is widely used for many medical cannabis patients including those who suffer from diabetes. Although it’s a hybrid, Cannatonic presents more indica-like effects, making it ideal for evening medication or when you don’t have to be productive. Some Cannatonic strains have CBD levels of as much as 17% which makes it ideal especially Continue reading >>
Cannabis: Keeping Your Insulin Levels & Pant Size Down
Did you know? Research published in the current issue of The American Journal of Medicine concluded that regular cannabis users have a lower chance of obesity and diabetes mellitus than people who have never used cannabis. The study was done by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, where the 4657 men and women in the study were assessed after a 9-hour fast. Glucose and fasting insulin were tested for by way of blood samples, and a Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance (IR) was calculated to evaluate insulin resistance. Their tests found that, “Current marijuana use was associated with 16% lower fasting insulin levels and 17% lower HOMA-IR.” Lower Levels Of Insulin & Smaller Waist Sizes Researchers concluded that regular cannabis users (reported using marijuana in past month) have lower fasting insulin levels, and a lower risk of insulin resistance compared to those who have never used cannabis. “Researchers concluded that regular cannabis users have lower fasting insulin levels, and a lower risk of insulin resistance compared to those who have never used cannabis.” They also found a relationship between frequent marijuana use and smaller waist sizes. These findings were scarce in people who had reported smoking marijuana at least once, but not within the past 30 days, suggesting the effects of cannabis on insulin exists only during periods of recent use. The study suggested that this is due to cannabinoids affecting peripheral metabolic processes via cannabinoid receptors in your body. However, it has not been made clear what exactly causes the effects on body mass index (BMI). Cannabis Consumers Eat More & Weigh Less It is a commonly accepted fact that cannabis users eat more. But did you know that it’s actually been Continue reading >>
Marijuana: The Next Diabetes Drug?
Toking up may help marijuana users to stay slim and lower their risk of developing diabetes, according to the latest study, which suggests that cannabis compounds may help in controlling blood sugar. Although marijuana has a well-deserved reputation for increasing appetite via what stoners call “the munchies,” the new research, which was published in the American Journal of Medicine, is not the first to find that the drug has a two-faced relationship to weight. Three prior studies have shown that marijuana users are less likely to be obese, have a lower risk for diabetes and have lower body-mass-index measurements. And these trends occurred despite the fact that they seemed to take in more calories. Why? “The most important finding is that current users of marijuana appeared to have better carbohydrate metabolism than nonusers,” says Murray Mittleman, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the lead author of the study. “Their fasting insulin levels were lower, and they appeared to be less resistant to the insulin produced by their body to maintain a normal blood-sugar level.” The research included over 4,600 men and women participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005 and 2010. Among them, 48% had smoked marijuana at least once in their lives, and 12% were current cannabis smokers. The authors controlled for other factors like age, sex, income, alcohol use, cigarette smoking and physical activity that could also affect diabetes risk. Even after these adjustments, the current marijuana users showed fasting insulin levels that were 16% lower than those of former or never users, along with a 17% reduction in another measure of insulin resistance as well. Higher levels on both tests are associated wit Continue reading >>
Cannabis And Diabetes
A 2015 study tested 16 diabetic patients with neuropathy of the feet. Each patient received four testing doses. They each tried a placebo, low THC, moderate THC, and high THC. Patients took a two-week break before changing doses. The results? Patients felt a dose-dependent relief from neuropathic pain with cannabis treatment.Yet, another 2009 study found something different. The clinical trial tested 30 neuropathy patients with Sativex, a GW Pharmaceuticals drug created for multiple sclerosis patients. Sativex contains a 1 to 1 ratio of THC to CBD. In this trial, the Sativex was not effective in reducing neuropathic pain. Both of these studies provide conflicting results, indicating that there is a lot we still need to learn about cannabis treatments. In animal models of diabetic neuropathy, cannabis has effectively improved nerve response.In fact, treatment with cannabis extract restored thermal pain perception in rats without worsening blood sugar levels. But, as always, more human research is needed. Diabetes can also damage your eyes. Diabetic retinopathy occurs from damage to the small blood vessels behind the retina. It can eventually lead to blindness, and is the leading cause of blindness in people aged 20 to 64. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to suffer from this form of ocular degeneration.Fortunately, cannabis may be able to help this complication as well. 2006 research found that CBD may protect the eye from a growing plethora of leaky blood vessels. In diabetes, its not uncommon to experience ischemia, where different organs in your body are not receiving enough oxygen. This lack of oxygen causes blood vessels in your eyes to try to create new blood vessels to solve the problem. Unfortunately, it doesnt work out so well for them. Very Continue reading >>
Cannabis And Diabetes
Tweet Cannabis, or marijuana, is a drug derived from the cannabis plant that is used for recreational use, medicinal purposes and religious or spiritual rites. Cannabis plants produce a unique family of compounds called cannabinoids. Of these, the major psychoactive (brain function-affecting) compound is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Marijuana contains high levels of THC, as well as other psychoactive chemicals, which produce the 'high' users feel when inhaling or ingesting it. History of cannabis Cannabis has been used by humans for thousands of years, with the earliest record of its use dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. It is indigenous to Central and South Asia, and is believed to of been used by many ancient civilizations, particularly as a form of medicine or herbal therapy. Cannabis drug class Laws regarding the production, possession, use and sale of cannabis came into effect in the early 20th century. But despite being illegal in most countries, including the UK, its use as a recreational drug is still very common. In fact it is the most used illicit drug in the world, according to the United Nations, with approximately 22.5 million adults across the globe estimated to use marijuana on a daily basis. Legal status In the UK, cannabis is categorized as a Class B drug under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act. Individuals caught in possession of these drugs are therefore given more lenient punishment - often confiscation and a 'cannabis warning' for small amounts. Effects of cannabis Cannabis causes a number of noticeable but mild (in comparison with other recreational drugs) physical and mental effects. These include: Increased pulse rate Increased appetite Bloodshot eyes Light-headiness Occasional dizzy spells Problems with memory, concentration, perception and coordina Continue reading >>
