Cannabis Use Linked to Potential Decrease in Diabetes Risk

The cannabis plant has been used medicinally for centuries. There is scientific evidence cannabis may have even been used by ancient people more than 5,000 years ago in what is now Romania. From anecdotal reports of health benefits to a growing body of medical research that points to the beneficial effects of cannabis consumption, marijuana therapy helps address issues like chronic pain, depression, and seizures.

Today, a new study suggests that cannabis use may also give individuals a “healthier inflammatory cytokine profile, better insulin sensitivity, and higher levels of physical activity than nonusers.” What does that mean? It means marijuana may help decrease the risk of developing diabetes, a growing health concern for Americans.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes isn’t one disease. It is a group of diseases that can impact how the body uses glucose, or sugar. Glucose is a fundamental source of fuel that gives cells the energy they need. Although the cause of different diabetic conditions varies, diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t produce insulin at all. Diabetes can also happen when the body stops responding to the effects of insulin.

Insulin helps glucose reach its destination, giving your cells the energy they need. When glucose builds up in the blood, it causes high blood sugar. Chronic high blood sugar leads to heart disease, nerve damage, amputations, stroke, and eye issues. According to data from The Cleveland Clinic, nearly 37.3 million Americans have diabetes. Type II diabetes is the most common form of the disease and accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases in the U.S.

The most common signs of type II diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, blurry vision, and numbness in the hands or feet. Diabetes is a lifelong condition that can lead to significant medical complications and even death when not managed properly.

Can Cannabis Use Decrease the Risk of Developing Diabetes?

There are numerous causes of diabetes, such as insulin resistance, autoimmune diseases, pancreatic damage, and genetic mutations. Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet can also lead to the development of diabetes. However, a new study presented at the 2024 annual American Diabetes Association 84th Scientific Sessions suggests that regular cannabis use may offer health benefits that lower a person’s risk for diabetes. Angela Bryan, PhD, and professor and co-director of CUChange at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, shows that the inflammatory profiles of those who consumed cannabis improved over four weeks.

These cannabis users showed a healthier inflammatory cytokine profile and better insulin sensitivity. Cytokines are proteins that act like chemical messengers. Anti-inflammatory cytokines may play a crucial role in conveying messages and signals regulating interactions between pancreatic cells and immune cells, while proinflammatory cytokines may play a role in the development of insulin resistance and, eventually, diabetes.

However, study authors and colleagues note the connection between diabetes and cannabis is complicated. The research focused on regular cannabis users around the age of 30 who have a healthy body mass index or BMI. This cannabis group was matched with a control group of similar individuals who had not used cannabis for at least one year. All study participants scored 51.24 on an NSDR Healthy Eating Index, indicating a “need for improvement/poor diet.”

Researchers measured oral glucose tolerance levels to calculate each participant’s insulin sensitivity. They also measured specific inflammatory markers. At four weeks, the researchers again measured the participant’s glucose and inflammatory markers. What struck scientists was the stark difference between the levels of inflammatory biomarkers and circulating cytokines between cannabis users and non-users. The team accounted for BMI and inflammation and said, “We saw absolutely no effects of group or group-by-time interaction on the Matsuda index of insulin sensitivity. Seemingly, there are no chronic effects of cannabis use on insulin sensitivity.”

However, the authors concede that the study was conducted on individuals who exercised regularly, which could factor into the results, especially concerning insulin sensitivity.

What Comes Next for the Cannabis Research Team?

Angela Bryan, PhD, says, “I think all of this put together shows us that the relationship between cannabis use and potential implications for diabetes is a lot more complicated than just couch to couchlock [very deep relaxation/sedation] or runner’s high.”

So, what’s next on the scientific agenda for the team? The team wants to study the acute response to cannabis with oral glucose tolerance tests conducted immediately after a participant uses cannabis. This study is significantly more challenging to accomplish in a laboratory setting since cannabis is still a Schedule I controlled substance, according to the federal government, meaning study participants are prohibited from consuming the drug in a laboratory.

Researchers use a “CannaVan,” or a mobile lab, to circumvent the issue. Researchers drive the van to study participants’ homes and draw blood; then, the participant can reenter their homes and consume cannabis. When done, they return to the van for another blood draw and follow-up assessments. Researchers hope to collect and study enough data to be able to present again at next year’s American Diabetes Association conference.

Before you run to your local dispensary for cannabis, talk to your doctor about potential drug interactions. While the finding of this new study is promising, other studies show that cannabis can negatively interact with the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat those already diagnosed with diabetes. It is always vital to speak with a medical professional before adding marijuana or other drugs to your current routine.

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