Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the level of glucose in the blood rises beyond normal levels due to inadequate production of insulin or problems in the response of the cells to the insulin. Metformin is the medication that is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, the use of CBD as a complementary treatment for diabetes has been rising in popularity. Some patients are now using CBD and metformin together, while others have been advised to quit using metformin and stick to CBD. This can be attributed to the faith that practitioners have in CBD and the various side-effects associated with metformin, including diarrhea, upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea. Below are some important things you should know about CBD if you are considering using it to manage diabetes.
Is CBD Oil Marijuana?
Although CBD can be obtained from marijuana, it is not marijuana. CBD is one of the 80 compounds that can be extracted from the plant. It is a non-psychoactive compound, meaning that it cannot make you feel high. In fact, the compound is mostly obtained from the industrial hemp plant, which has less than 0.3 percent THC.
Is CBD Legal?
Yes, CBD that is obtained from industrial hemp is perfectly legal. This is because, according to the Farm Bill of 2018, cannabis with less than 0.3 percent THC is defined as ordinary agricultural commodities. However, the law also emphasized the role of the FDA in regulating cannabis and products derived from cannabis, meaning that CBD is still under FDA regulations.
What Are Its Benefits?
The current research on the medicinal and therapeutic value of CBD has mainly focused on its impacts on treating pain, irritable bowel disorder, and epilepsy. Due to inadequate research, there is a lot of misinformation about the benefits of CBD. Therefore, before you can decide to use it for whatever reason, it is imperative to find more reliable sources of information.
Does it Improve Diabetes Management?
Currently, there is no adequate research based on evidence to pinpoint the implications of CBD in the management of diabetes. However, a few studies have shown that CBD has positive impacts on the sensitivity of cells to insulin. Therefore, CBD does increase the effectiveness of insulin. Perhaps this is the reason why some patients have reported improvement in the symptoms of diabetes after starting to use CBD. Although it is not clear why some people have reported improved weight loss and reduced cholesterol levels after trying CBD.
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that although research about the use of CBD in treating diabetes is scanty, its effects are quite promising as some patients who have used it have reported improvement in the symptoms of diabetes. There is also some evidence that CBD improves the sensitivity of cells to insulin, which also has positive impacts on the management of diabetes. If you are looking for a family doctor with experience in the use of CBD in treating diabetes, GreenBridge Medical is the answer. Contact them today for more information about their services.