|
|
|
Researchers are aiming high in the investigation of cannabis as a treatment for diabetes.
This month has seen a resurrection of research into the topic. Israeli scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem believe cannibidiol (CBD), a compound found in the cannabis plant, could be used to treat diabetes.
The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD could treat the inflammation which influences the development of insulin resistance.
Researchers claim CBD could improve the body’s metabolism and also benefit the immune system, cell growth, sugar metabolism and heart function. |
|
|
|
|
|
University of California (UC) researchers have also been experimenting with cannabis, but this study was to test if inhaling cannabis could act as a potential treatment for painful diabetic neuropathy.
They gave 16 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy either placebo, or single doses of cannabis, which varied in dose strength of tetrahydrocannibinol (THC).
The higher the THC participants inhaled, the less pain they felt during tests performed by the researchers. The UC team concluded their findings add further evidence on the efficacy of cannabis in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cannabis is the most commonly-used illicit drug in the world, but research into its effects on conditions such as glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease is vast. More research is now making headlines regarding its potential benefits for diabetes.
Tests in mice also showed the compounds – THCV and cannabidiol – boosted the animals’ metabolism, leading to lower levels of cholesterol in the blood and fat in the liver, while THCV was also found to have a number of insulin benefits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The American Alliance for Medical Cannabis has suggested that cannabis could help stabilise blood sugars, ease the pain of neuropathy and reduce the risk of diabetes complications.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The theory of using cannabis to treat diabetes has been discussed on the Diabetes Forum, as well as people suggesting that it should eventually be available on the NHS, similar to medicial marijuana in the USA. seaspray1998 wrote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
