Is CBD Helpful for People with Diabetes?

CBD is everywhere—pharmacies, independent and mass retailers, social media ads, influencer feeds, billboards—you name it! But just because it’s widely available and recognizable doesn’t mean it’s right for all people with diabetes (PWD).

Nor does it mean all CBD products are created equal. In fact, you may have to laser in and closely evaluate because—spoiler alert—CBD isn’t FDA-regulated. But we’ll dive into that shortly.

In this guide, we explore what CBD is, the benefits, potential side effects and options you have while living with diabetes. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide whether CBD is an extra helpful tool for life with diabetes or just some more unnecessary noise.

Just like with diabetes medications, different supplements work for different folks.

What is CBD?

Here are some basic things you should know about CBD before you do a deep product search:

• Cannabidiol (CBD) comes from the cannabis plant. It’s not the same thing as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can cause a high. CBD does not cause a high. 
• Healthline says that CBD products made from cannabis might be stronger than those made from hemp, but hemp-based products can still have benefits depending on the person and what they need it for.
• CBD may interact with some medications or cause side effects. Consult your healthcare team or pharmacist to learn if CBD interacts with the medications you’re taking. You can’t be too careful, especially when living with a chronic condition like diabetes.
• CBD may help improve mood, reduce pain and inflammation and support other health conditions. But more research is needed to be sure.
• CBD is available in edible, topical and oil forms.
• CBD is widely accessible, but minimally regulated. CBD, as a product category, is not FDA-approved.

Why would someone with diabetes want to try CBD products?

If you live with diabetes, you might be interested in trying CBD to see if it can help with:

• The daily mental load of diabetes or diabetes burnout
• Getting better sleep for life with diabetes
• Chronic pain (especially diabetic neuropathy)
• Inflammation

With a condition as relentless as diabetes, it’s human nature to want to explore anything that might help. But it’s important to do your research to ensure you’re buying safe products that are most likely to address your concerns without causing unnecessary bodily or financial stress.

Can CBD actually help someone with diabetes?

Research is mixed and inconsistent when it comes to how CBD benefits PWD. However, there may be indirect benefits.

Here’s what current evidence says:

• Because CBD is not regulated and needs to be further researched, there’s no strong evidence that suggests CBD can help with blood sugar regulation, nor is it a diabetes treatment.
• Early-stage evidence suggests CBD may help reduce inflammation. There is no specific tie to inflammation in PWD.
• There is mixed evidence around CBD’s use in people with neuropathy or chronic pain. Some research says CBD may help with nerve pain. 
• More research suggests CBD helps with anxiety and promotes better sleep. Therefore, it may indirectly help with diabetes management. When you get a good night’s sleep with diabetes, your routine is usually better for it.

Overlooked CBD risks + considerations for people with diabetes

Since CBD is easy to find and well-known, you might not realize how it affects living with diabetes. Don’t ignore these effects. 

CBD can indirectly influence blood sugar levels, appetite and sleep, all of which are important for managing diabetes. Changes in your routine can cause blood sugar to fluctuate and may affect how much insulin you need.

Also, because CBD isn’t regulated, products can vary greatly, and there’s no standard dose. Each person has to decide what works best for them and choose the brands or supplement types that support their needs. The process is trial and error, which can be tricky to navigate with diabetes.

These potential side effects stress why it’s important to try to have an open conversation with your doctor about using CBD so your diabetes management doesn’t suffer.

Setting expectations: what CBD can + can’t do

Overall, CBD might help with stress, sleep problems and ongoing pain if you live with diabetes, but results can vary from person to person. CBD isn’t a substitute for insulin or other medications that lower blood sugar. It also doesn’t mean you can skip checking your blood sugar or reduce your regular diabetes care.

In the end, CBD can be a useful extra tool for some people with diabetes, but it’s not a replacement for your main treatment.

How to get started with CBD if you live with diabetes

If you’d like to try CBD, here are some worthwhile steps to consider:

1. Involve your healthcare provider in the conversation: they should at least know what supplements you’re taking. If you feel comfortable, have a deeper conversation with them about the benefits, potential side effects and how to monitor for changes in your diabetes trends and patterns around using it.
2. Start with a low dose + adjust slowly: take your time with it. Don’t start with the highest dose.
3. Choose third-party-tested products: while CBD isn’t regulated by the federal government in the U.S., some products are tested more rigorously than others. Pick ones that have been checked by outside groups to make sure they are safe and work well.
4. Pay attention to your diabetes patterns: monitor how CBD affects your blood sugar levels, sleep patterns and moods.

This is about being aware first and optimizing later. Take it slow and you will probably have better results.

CBD isn’t necessary for diabetes care, but may be helpful for some

While CBD is not a necessary part of diabetes care, some diabetes community members find it helpful. It can be added to your health toolkit without being a core focus. PWD don’t need extra stress or unnecessary things, after all. 

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