Introduction
The use of marijuana for medical purposes is commonly discussed in many countries. In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to develop specific policies to approve and regulate cannabis products that consist of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Using CBD for more than 200 conditions has already been reported, including pain management, sleep improvement, mood disorders, and even diabetes (Project CBD, 2018b). This discussion aims to explain the differences between CBD and examine diabetes as a condition that can be improved with the help of CBD.
Difference Between CBD and THC
Both CBD and THC are the compounds of marijuana and are known as psychoactive components with similar chemical structures, including the number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. However, it is wrong to consider them the same from all perspectives because their psychoactive effects remain different due to the arrangement of their atoms. While THC usually provokes euphoria, paranoia, hallucinations, or anxiety, CBD does not have similar effects (Casarett et al., 2019). THC binds with receptors, which allows for controlling pain and feelings, and CBD is not impairing and does not lead to a high.
CBD Helps in Different Conditions
People may use CBD for different purposes, including recreation and treatment. Addressing the report of Project CBD (2018b), people use CBD for more than one condition to treat incurable and serious diseases. The list of conditions CBD is known to help is long: pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, cancer, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, etc. (Project CBD, 2018b). Diabetes has already been diagnosed in millions of people across the globe, but no specific cure for treating it exists. Sometimes, it is recommended to use CBD to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes.
CBD and Diabetes
When people think about cannabis, the most common issue is the achievement of certain recreational purposes. However, the participants of Project CBD (2018a) report they take CBD for diabetes in more than 72% (53% of women and 44% of men). On the one hand, the average blood sugar level remains the same (high), and improvements in nerve pain, numbness, and weight have been observed (Project CBD, 2018a). On the other hand, even slight changes that help people with diabetes feel better can be good achievements in the treatment process. According to Mattes et al. (2021), the endocannabinoid system affects food intake and improves energy homeostasis, which results in reducing body weight and A1C levels in diabetic patients. Therefore, it is expected that CND can be helpful in alleviating diabetic symptoms.
Not many people are ready to participate in studies to reduce their diabetic complications with the help of marijuana, and most research projects include mice. Still, in those rare cases when people with a history of type 2 diabetes independently take CBD oil, A1C can be decreased by at least 1% (Mattes et al., 2021). This recommendation cannot be approved or imposed on patients, but the FDA has already declared Epidiolex as a safe drug to be prescribed for seizures and several epileptic syndromes (Mattes et al., 2021). Epidiolex is made with CBD, but other CBD products cannot be officially marketed for medical purposes.
Conclusion
In general, marijuana should not be treated as a substance that provokes negative outcomes on people only. If taken properly and under the control of professional healthcare providers, cannabis can be effective. The difference between CBD and THC lies in the arrangement of their atoms, and CBD is not as harmful as THC. Therefore, using CBD to alleviate diabetes symptoms and other conditions is commonly discussed, but this practice has not been legally approved.
References
Casarett, D. J., Beliveau, J. N., & Arbus, M. S. (2019). Benefit of tetrahydrocannabinol versus cannabidiol for common palliative care symptoms. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 22(10), 1180-1184. Web.
Mattes, R. G., Espinosa, M. L., Oh, S. S., Anatrella, E. M., & Urteaga, E. M. (2021). Cannabidiol (CBD) use in type 2 diabetes: A case report. Diabetes Spectrum, 34(2), 198-201. Web.
Project CBD. (2018a). CBD for diabetes. Web.
Project CBD. (2018b). Conditions. Web.