Diabetes is very common and it is likely that we are surrounded by such patients. Unfortunately, one in five people with the disease are not even sure if they have it. Diabetes can lead to serious complications, including nerve damage (neuropathy), cardiovascular disease, foot damage, kidney damage and Alzheimer's disease.

Diabetes is difficult to reverse and for people with type 1 diabetes, treatment will involve regular insulin injections, counting carbohydrates and constantly checking blood sugar levels. Meanwhile, for type 2 diabetes, this includes a complete lifestyle change, checking blood sugar levels and some diabetes medication that may require insulin, prescription drugs or both.

However, cannabidiol CBD - a potent anti-inflammatory cannabinoid, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis - extracted from the natural cannabis plant has proven promising in the treatment and prevention of diabetes.

After all, CBD works with the Endocannabinoid System, which helps regulate many important functions in the body, including immunity, appetite, sleep, pain and mood, in addition to the importance of the endocannabinoid system in helping the body maintain homeostasis in the body.

Studies have shown that CBD may indeed help people with diabetes.

Of these two types of diabetes, type 2 diabetes is the more prevalent one and it is closely associated with being overweight. There are many studies that support the use of CBD and THC to prevent excessive weight gain and help people maintain their weight. 2020, a study revealed that CBD is promising in positively influencing the factors that lead to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Researchers have also found that CBD can be effective in reducing inflammation while changing the way the body metabolises glucose.

Earlier in 2017, researchers found that CBD was effective in reducing neuropathy caused by diabetes. Neuropathy, which is characterised by muscle weakness, tingling and numbness, was previously treated with powerful painkillers, whereas with CBD, there is no longer a need to rely on medication to treat neuropathy.

A study published in 2020 in the medical journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence shared a survey that was conducted between 2005 and 2018 involving 340 people with diabetes. They were asked about their cannabis consumption in the past 30 days, including THC and CBD. results showed that 78 percent of participants reported using cannabis that was not prescribed by a doctor. "Diabetics may still use cannabis for medical reasons, but without a prescription," explained Omayma Alshaarawy, lead author of the study.

In an article on Endocrine.com, WHO's Rory Batt MSc, who studied the link between type 2 diabetes, CBD and the endocannabinoid system, said that CBD also has benefits for the health of the pancreas in people suffering from the disease. "CBD also helps to protect the pancreas from damage caused by overactive immune cells. In practice, this means that some people can produce insulin on their own for longer. However, unless they eventually change their diet, they will inevitably end up with a pancreas that can't produce insulin - but CBD can significantly prolong the time it takes for this to happen."

Results from a Phase II trial last May 2021 revealed that CBD in sublingual tablet form was effective in reducing pain scores by approximately 50% in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 54 patients with painful diabetic neuropathy (affecting the foot). They were randomised to be given Pure Green Pharmaceutical's 1:1 proprietary sublingual tablet of 20mg CBD three times a day or placebo.

Pure Green reported that patients treated with CBD experienced significantly lower levels of pain compared to the placebo group, as well as significant changes in quality of life, with improvements in anxiety and sleep quality.

"Achieving clinical and statistical pain relief in these patients in just a few weeks is very satisfying and frankly unexpected. Interestingly, the results of this placebo-controlled trial mirror the results of Pure Green Pharmaceuticals' open-label pDPN trial, with both studies showing a significant reduction in pain scores of approximately 50%. Patient safety always comes first and is our primary hallmark," explains Dr Debra Kimless, Pure Green's Chief Medical Officer and Board Certified Anaesthetist, "In both clinical trials, there were no adverse events in patients receiving the treatment medication.

Other ways CBD can help treat diabetes

There are other ways in which CBD can help treat diabetes, particularly chronic inflammation, which causes blood sugar levels to continue to spike until diabetes develops. the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of CBD help endogenous cannabinoid receptors to reduce inflammation, thereby lowering blood sugar levels.

In addition, the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in the body by promoting homeostasis and responding to decreases and increases in insulin. Inadequate insulin production can lead to diabetes, but CBD has been shown to enhance the endocannabinoid system, thus helping to increase insulin production and promote homeostasis in the body.

Of course, diabetes is still defined as incurable at this time and is still not recognized by the FDA and medical authorities as a disease that can be treated with cannabis, but given the research we have available and the factual evidence, diabetics who wish to use CBD to supplement existing therapies to help manage their diabetes symptoms and keep them under control can speak with their local physician in areas where medical marijuana is legal to get help.