CBD for Diabetics: What to Know & How to Use it Safely

It’s easy to assume that it’s impossible to find and use CBD for diabetics; after all, you may be so used to policing what goes into your body that it feels strange to trust something that can be so powerful.

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The truth is that CBD can help treat symptoms of diabetes, even if it’s not able to actually treat the illness itself. There are some health considerations to keep in mind, though, and whether CBD is right for you likely depends on your body, the type of diabetes you have, and what other treatments you’re using.

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Below, we’ll outline how to find CBD for diabetics, discuss how CBD can help those with diabetes, and pinpoint what you’ll need to remember to use CBD safely. 

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Does CBD Help With Diabetes?

Research has not shown any clear health benefits of CBD for diabetics. Some preliminary studies conducted on animals demonstrate that CBD may influence blood sugar, blood pressure, and insulin levels, but more studies are needed before any stronger claims can be made. 

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But even if CBD doesn’t treat diabetes, it can help remedy some of the symptoms of the disease and make living with it easier. 

Potential Benefits of CBD for Diabetics

The perks CBD offers to people with diabetes aren’t all that different from those any person might expect to encounter. However, because folks with diabetes often manage things like pain and stress (both mental and physical) more than others, they may be especially able to benefit from using CBD. Let’s take a closer look.

Reducing inflammation and pain

CBD has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which means it kicks swelling and pain to the curb. Less tightness, redness, and tenderness can help people with diabetes manage nerve pain, joint pain, and other physical discomfort. Less inflammation overall also tends to mean feeling and functioning at your best. 

Relaxing the mind and body

Life with a chronic health condition can be challenging and incredibly draining. Fortunately, CBD is great for anxiety and lowering stress. Its tendency to make users want to melt into their couches makes it an excellent way to unwind at the end of the day, especially if you’ve been juggling a lot. Likewise, relief from pain makes it even easier to sit back and relax. 

Aiding in healthy sleep habits

Because it makes many people drowsy and relaxed, CBD is a well-known option for treating insomnia. When paired with a healthy nighttime routine, CBD can help you turn your brain off and get some much-needed shut-eye.

Possibly stabilizing blood sugar levels*

*Note that this claim has yet to be substantiated by sufficient research. While some studies have pointed to this effect, CBD is not meant to replace traditional diabetes treatments.

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Some promising research shows that CBD may be able to interact with the body in unique ways, some of which might relate to diabetes symptoms or risk factors. One case study found that using CBD could help people with diabetes maintain stable A1C (blood sugar reading) levels, but more research is needed to confirm this. 

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The study notes that many factors might contribute to the effects we’ve observed thus far regarding CBD’s impact on blood sugar and insulin resistance. Individual endocannabinoid systems, the presence of other medications and compounds, and the effects of previous treatment options may all play a role. 

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However, it is possible that CBD may improve glucose control and influence the risk of diabetes development due to its anti-inflammatory effects. 

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Common Side Effects of CBD for Diabetics

In general, CBD comes with very few side effects. Most that do emerge go away on their own within a few hours. Nonetheless, there are some potential adverse effects to be aware of, including:

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• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Suppressed immune responses
• Elevated eye pressure, which may worsen conditions like glaucoma

Best CBD for Diabetics: Product Options & Tips

Navigating the cannabis market when you have specific health needs can be a real headache. Which CBD oil is best for diabetics, and which ones should you steer clear of? How can you choose products without increasing your risk of health consequences? We’ve got the answers to these questions and more to help you make an informed decision while shopping.

CBD gummies for diabetics

Since candy usually equals sugar and little else, pay attention to ingredients and nutrition labels when searching for CBD edibles like gummies. The best CBD gummies for diabetics are likely sugar-free or at least formulated with reasonable sugar levels. This is particularly true because eating several gummies a few times a day may be necessary to get the results you’re after.

Our Pick: JustCBD Sugar-Free CBD Gummy Worms - 1,000 mg

Try it Here

Why We Love It: 

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• Made with maltitol syrup, a safe sugar alternative, for sweetness. Won’t affect blood sugar the way other gummies might.
• Contains 99.99% CBD hemp isolate.
• Exceptional flavor and fun design.

CBD oil for diabetics

Most CBD oils are safe and effective for anyone, including those with diabetes. However, oils that can deliver strong pain-relieving and relaxing effects with a single dose or two can give you the most bang for your buck.

Our Pick: Canna River CBD + CBN +CBG Calm Tincture - 7,500 mg

Try it Here

Why We Love It: 

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• Features CBD, CBN, and CBG, three powerfully relaxing cannabinoids.
• Sugar- and alcohol-free formula is a safer alternative to other flavored oils.
• Made without THC.

More CBD products to try

If you’re looking for more ways to bring CBD into your life, consider options like these:

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• Tinctures: Similar to CBD oils, CBD tinctures are usually meant to be consumed orally and contain specified amounts of cannabinoids. Instead of an oil base, though, tinctures are typically made using alcohols and are much thinner as a result.
• Topicals: CBD creams, CBD patches, and other topical products meant to go on your skin can deliver targeted relief from pain and inflammation.
• Capsules: If snacks and beverages aren’t your thing, CBD capsules offer an alternative way to consume cannabis orally. Capsules with measured amounts of CBD can be taken like any other pill.
• A note on inhalants: Smoking of any kind is not recommended for people with diabetes. Inhaled cannabis can rapidly impact blood sugar levels, and inhaled products are incredibly hard to dose precisely. Is one second of drawing a dose, or is it two? Too many factors come into play that can affect how much you take in at a time, which means inhaling cannabis may mean putting yourself at a higher risk for harmful side effects. THC, which can sometimes be found in hemp buds, pre-rolls, etc., can also impact medications and affect blood pressure or sugar.

How to use CBD safely and effectively

As much as we love CBD, we also love ensuring our customers and community are safe. If you have diabetes, it’s crucial that you take caution when using cannabis products. Below are some tips that can help you do just that while reaping your products' benefits.

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• Talk With a Doctor. Because CBD can interfere with prescription medications, it’s absolutely essential that you speak with a healthcare professional before adding it to your routine. Even if you’re pretty sure that you’ll be okay or don’t take medicine every day, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Small and rapid changes can spell trouble for many people with diabetes.
• Use an Appropriate Dose. Look for use instructions or dosage recommendations on your product’s packaging to determine a good starting and goal dose. Remember that your personal body chemistry and body size can influence dosing.
• Start Small. It’s far easier to control how much you take in and avoid overwhelming your body if you use CBD in minimal amounts. You can start with 5 mg, then increase to 10 or 15 mg, for instance, to ensure that no adverse effects come with your favorite product.
• Don’t Use CBD as a Replacement. As wonderful and healing as it can be, CBD is not a replacement for traditional diabetes medication or treatments. Don’t put your health and life at risk – stick to what’s been recommended by your doctor. 
• Log Benefits and Side Effects. It’s wise to pay attention to how CBD products make you feel, whether good or bad, and track this information in a journal, note, etc. This can help you weed out products that don’t work for you and determine which doses produce the best results.

Key Takeaways

While it is possible to find and use CBD for diabetics, it’s also possible that your health and body just may not be a good fit for cannabis products. Only a professional can help you make this decision and weigh the risks and rewards of CBD. 

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As you look for answers and the best CBD products for your needs, we at The Green Dragon CBD are here to help. Feel free to contact us any time for a consultation, to ask questions, or to simply talk about what options are out there for you.