Cannabis and Diabetes

Editor’s Note: As all individuals are different, the effects of cannabis on diabetes may vary, so you should always discuss marijuana use (medicinal and recreational) with your healthcare provider. 

In portions of the United States and other countries like Canada, Mexico and the Netherlands, cannabis is legal to consume both recreationally and medically. Currently, in the U.S., cannabis is fully legalized for people over the age of 21 in 24 states as well as the District of Columbia. As more states in the U.S. legalize recreational cannabis, you may be wondering if marijuana can be a safe or even beneficial substance for you to partake in. 

For people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), learning about the effects of a drug before it’s experimented with is important for preparing how to take care of your body and stay safe. So, we’re breaking down everything there is to know about consuming cannabis as a T1D.

What is cannabis?  

Marijuana, pot, grass, weed, Mary Jane — whatever you call it, it refers to the plant Cannabis sativa. This plant contains two main chemicals called CBD and THC, with THC being the main reason for the mind-altering effects we associate with consuming marijuana. When the plant, or extracts from the plant like resin, are heated up, the THC is released and absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs or the stomach. 

The THC then bonds to the cannabinoid receptors on the brain's nerve cells. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, these cannabinoid receptors are found primarily in the parts of the brain that control “pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement.” 

CBD, the non-psychoactive chemical found in marijuana, can also be consumed separately from THC. CBD is often sold as edible CBD oil in lotions, skin products, or sleep aids. CBD is legal to consume in all 50 states and does not require you to be over the age of 21 to purchase. CBD oil has been connected to helping with anxiety, pain and sleep without causing a high. 

Can you consume cannabis with type 1 diabetes? 

Consuming cannabis is relatively safe for people living with diabetes and can even have some benefits beyond lower insulin resistance. But, as with anything, moderation is key and taking note of your insulin levels, your body, and the way it reacts to stimuli is important for keeping a steady blood sugar while experimenting with cannabis. 

While cannabis itself won't raise blood sugar, it can cause other things, such as an increase in appetite, a higher heart rate, or anxiety that can cause blood sugar levels to rise if not monitored and dosed for. 

Note: Did you know that stress can raise blood sugar levels due to the rise in certain stress hormones? Learn more about what can increase blood sugar besides carbs here. 

Beneficial Effects of Cannabis for Someone with T1D 

Recently, as marijuana has become more legalized in the United States and around the world, there have been more conversations about its use as a tool to manage chronic illness. So, what are some of the ways that science tells us medical cannabis can be used to support and manage life with T1D? 

A study from the American Journal of Medicine showed that cannabis use in individuals with type 1 diabetes can be connected to lower insulin resistance as well as lower fasting blood sugar levels. 

Another benefit of cannabis use for medicinal properties is to reduce inflammation. For people living with diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and nerve damage, reducing inflammation can help manage the symptoms and, in some cases, lower blood pressure.  For people living with diabetes, it can help with peripheral neuropathy as well as potentially reduce the risk for diabetic retinopathy. This diabetes complication damages the retinas in the eye and can cause partial vision loss and even blindness. Recent animal studies suggested that THC and CBD can lead to a reduced risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, though there is still research needed to confirm this for humans.  

Additionally, marijuana is often used medically for its pain-numbing effects, and individuals living with physically painful diabetes complications like retinopathy or nerve damage can use marijuana to help manage the pain. For people living with peripheral neuropathy or a damaged peripheral nervous system due to routinely high blood sugar, a study from the US Association For the Study of Pain reported that marijuana has been found to decrease significant pain from complications. 

But, marijuana is not exclusively for medical purposes and is not always the correct answer to a medical situation. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your health concerns and ask their thoughts on using cannabis with your condition before jumping straight in. 

Things to Consider Before you Try

Even if you are aiming to use marijuana medically, that will not change the fact that the drug itself is psychoactive. While consuming cannabis can relieve pain, promote relaxation and increase appetite, it can also cause psychological reactions such as paranoia or anxiety, depending on the individual. 

Important to Note: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently cited that cannabis use can be associated with an increased risk of inducing symptoms that appear similar to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

The same strain could make your friend feel giggly and make you feel anxious — it really depends on the individual. This is why it is essential to start with small doses around trusted people so you can see how you, your brain and your body react to THC. Once you get an understanding of how certain strains or methods of consumption affect you, you can experiment more with cannabis and cannabis products. 

Memory and Keeping Track 

Consuming THC can also make you feel disoriented and affect your memory while under the influence of the drug. For the average person, this can mean getting distracted more easily or forgetting where you set the remote, but for people with diabetes, being high from cannabis can lead to forgetting much more important things, like taking an insulin dose. 

Additionally, disorientation and short-term memory loss can lead to insulin stacking if someone takes insulin but doesn't remember that they did. For people with diabetes who want to partake in cannabis consumption, it’s safest to do so when around other people who know you and your condition and can help make sure that you remain safe while under the influence. 

Consider “the munchies”  

In some people, consuming cannabis can cause an increase in hunger or appetite, colloquially referred to as “the munchies.” While this is a completely normal, and even expected, element of consuming cannabis, people with type 1 diabetes must be cognizant of what they're eating and take the appropriate amount of insulin if the snacks contain carbs. 

Due to the mind-altering effect of cannabis, as well as the increase in appetite, the munchies can lead to eating more than expected. This can mean there is an added worry of hyperglycemia after consuming cannabis due to careless eating habits from the effects of the drug. Indulging in the munchies can be perfectly safe for people with type 1 diabetes as long as they are aware of what they’re eating and how much of it and are taking enough insulin to keep their levels steady. 

Cannabis vs Alcohol  

For people with diabetes, consuming alcohol can lower blood glucose levels and, if not done in moderation, can result in dangerous cases of hypoglycemia. So, many T1Ds may see consuming cannabis as an alternative method to celebrating with friends or relaxing after a long day without the fear of alcohol lowering their blood sugar.

So, where to get started? 

If you’re living in a legalized state or country and want to experiment with consuming cannabis either for fun or to help support your diabetes, it may seem like a daunting place to start. With a million names and strains and different methods of consuming cannabis, it can be overwhelming. 

Cannabis should always be purchased from a licensed dispensary and consumed within private dwellings or public spaces that specifically allow cannabis consumption. Most “budtenders,” as they’re colloquially called, are usually happy to answer questions about a particular strain’s effects, potency and activation time. 

When considering using cannabis, there are four things to consider: 

• How is the cannabis consumed (smoked, eaten, drank, etc.)?
• What are the desired effects?
• What is the potency?
• How long is the activation time? 

As mentioned, cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways, like eating a pre-made edible or cannabis-infused baked good, smoking out of a joint or a smoking device or drinking cannabis-infused soda or juice. 

Depending on the way the cannabis is consumed, it may affect the activation time or how long it takes to feel the effects of the drug after consumption. Eating cannabis goods will usually take the longest as the stomach has to break down the food before the THC is released into the bloodstream. 

Drinking cannabis-infused juice or soda will release the fastest as the THC can be absorbed very quickly through the liquid. Smoking seems to sit somewhere in the middle with an activation time between a few minutes to about half an hour. 

The potency refers to how strong the cannabis is or how much THC is in the particular strain. If you’re just starting out, aiming for strains with a lower potency can help you get more familiar with consuming cannabis without finding yourself getting too high too quickly. 

Additionally, ask the people working at the dispensary about the effects of each strain and what you’re looking for. Marijuana can be consumed for anything from getting better sleep to having more energy in the daytime, so finding what works for you and your goals depends on what you want and communicating that to the dispensary staff. 

Final Thoughts

Cannabis is not for everyone, and in certain states or countries, it may not be legal. But as medical marijuana and even recreational drug use become more readily available, cannabis use is growing in acceptance. If you are in a place where you can safely and legally purchase and consume cannabis, experimenting with different strains, consumption methods, or amounts can help you see if cannabis is a good tool for you. 

However, always talk with your healthcare provider and medical team about the choices you’re making around your health and what you put into your body. Your doctor is there to help you and is on your team, so be honest, regardless of the stigma you may feel around taking cannabis. It’s vital to make sure you are getting complete and accurate care.