Marijuana And Diabetes

Health Benefits of Marijuana

One of the most in-depth reports published by the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis (AAMC) sites the multiple uses for marijuana and its health benefits especially for people suffering from ailments like Diabetes. Marijuana is a plant-based drug that has numerous medicinal properties however the legality of the drug is still up for debate in many countries all over the world. Let’s first familiarize ourselves with some of the health benefits of this marijuana drug for patients with Diabetes:

• Helps stabilize blood sugar levels
• Acts as an anti-inflammatory drug to deal with Neuropathic effects and reduce extreme pain
• Has ‘vasodilatory’ properties to lower Blood pressure
• Increases insulin sensitivity in blood
• Antispasmodic properties
• Can help calm RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) in a diabetic patient

Marijuana Versus BMI

Whereas it is still unknown why people who regularly use marijuana have lower BMIs. Higher BMIs are usually the Symptom and/or cause of Diabetes It is sometimes even more astounding when taking into consideration the case of “the munchies” which is the unregulated hunger triggered in most people after using marijuana. Scientists still have an explanation for this.

THC is also known as Tetrahydrocannabinol is the element of “Pot” which usually affects the central nervous system causing disorientation, lack of ability to make a judgment triggers extreme hunger. Cannabidiol on the other hand has mood-altering effects and counters the pangs of hunger.

On average people who are using Marijuana have 1.5 inches smaller waistlines than those who do not. Although there’s considerably less evidence when it comes to the Delayed development of diabetes in Marijuana smokers however it does help control the disease and especially the people suffering from major complications people who use marijuana regularly were found to have

• Smaller waistlines and were less likely to be obese
• Low levels of BMI even despite consuming significantly higher calories
• A higher level of “good cholesterol”

Marijuana And Insulin Sensitivity

Our body is extremely dependent on insulin especially to absorb and transfer the excess sugar into glucose and supplying that glucose to other cells of the body to help function and provide energy. However, people with Type2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes witness some obstruction in this process.

A study involving people suffering from type two diabetes who did not take any insulin had the following effects on Cannabinoid THC:

• A significant drop in fasting blood glucose
• Increase in production of Adiponectin, which regulates blood sugar levels
• Improved production of insulin

Diabetic Retinopathy And Marijuana

High levels of Sugar which snowball into an unmanageable case of diabetes leads to an oxygen-deprived retina and this leads to an increase in the number of vessels. And a surplus of these leaky blood vessels can lead to complete blindness.

In the face of an inadequate amount of oxygen or ischemia, it forces the blood vessels to produce even more glutamate setting in motion a cascade of events that have compromising effects on the body. The pumps that are supposed to keep the useful substances inside and harmful things at bay malfunction. Leading to an unprecedented excess of nitric oxide and superoxide inside the retina, further increasing the need for oxygen and ultimately resulting in the “death of the cell” and sometimes complete loss of vision.

Cannabidiol has been proven to hinder inflammation of blood vessels in the eye which is primarily the result of retinopathy which has in this day and age become the leading cause of blindness in the adult population of the world.

Diabetic Neuropathy And Marijuana

Diabetic Neuropathy is a complication arising from diabetes and can have debilitating effects on the patient’s body. It usually involved the central nervous system, the brain, and the spinal cord conveying messages to the different parts of the body. It usually causes damaged, inflamed nerves or nerves sending wrong messages to the receptacle.

In most cases, neuropathy remains untreated and hence the patient suffers gross negligence, however. Since it occurs in patients with a wide range of co-morbidities there are different pathways taken up to treat peripheral neuropathy few of them include Anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, and serotonin-norepinephrine however they’ve not proven to be the most effective.

Marijuana apart from having analgesics also has CBD which is non-psychoactive and has a lot of antioxidants and inflammatory properties which helps to reduce the pain and tingling sensation for these diabetic patients.

Marijuana Hemp Oil And Its Benefits 

Hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of Marijuana, much lower in elements like CBD which is present in the other parts of the plant like stalks and leaves. The seeds have a rich profile of nutrients, fatty acids, and bioactive compounds.

The risk of intoxication or getting “high” from these oils is especially low because of the absence or minuscule presence of THC and CBD. A detailed review of these shows how these seeds contain nutrients that help to bring high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and cholesterol levels in check.

The alpha-linolenic acid and another fatty acid help reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Apart from the lesser-known uses like hemp oil helps reduce pain naturally and more effectively than most drugs especially for diabetes patients.

Risk Factors of Marijuana

There’re multiple risk factors that come into play. Apart from the lack of medical research on the drug it has largely NOT been legalized in most home states.

The risk factors include:

• Increased heart rate
• Nausea
• Disorientation
• Bronchitis
• Breathlessness
• Confusion
• Mood disorders like anxiety
• Memory loss and decreased reaction time

Smoking Marijuana is harmful to the lungs and a pack of cigarettes and tarnishes the lungs and hampers stamina. Regular and prolonged use of this drug can lead to retarding brain development and thus shouldn’t be consumed by people under the age of 18. Before incorporating this drug or implementing it into therapeutic practices please consult your doctor.

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