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Best CBD Oil For Diabetes 2024: Benefits And How To Use
Updated on
- Written by Victor Nguyen, PharmD.
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Spruce CBD
- Comprehensive 3rd party testing
- Family run business
- Lab-grade potency and strength
15% Off Coupon: HEALTHCANAL
Joy Organics
- THC-free, broad-spectrum formulation
- 3rd party testing
- Premium grade and high purity
25% Off Coupon: HEALTHCANAL
Royal CBD
- High potency
- Unique supercritical C02 extraction process
- 100% fully sourced organic and natural hemp
20% Off Coupon: HC20
It’s now almost the year of 2024 and what we’ve seen is continued widespread acceptance and legalization of the marijuana plant and its derivatives. This has allowed for more mainstream and large pools of research to take place geared toward the medicinal uses of the plant, such as diabetes.
Many people know of one of the several active ingredients in the plant known as THC, most known for causing the psychoactive effects of the plant. But fewer people know of THC’s counterpart CBD. CBD is the lesser-known, but increasingly used, active ingredient from the marijuana plant. In essence, the relationship between THC and CBD is yin and yang, complementary but opposing in effects.
While THC causes psychoactive effects, using CBD doesn’t cause psychoactive activity, and it acts on several proposed mechanisms[1] within the body and Endocannabinoid system. The main proposed benefits of using CBD from initial research show use for anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, anti-inflammatory effects, and neuropathic pain. However further research is still needed to confirm benefit claims.
A number of studies have already been published and seem to be growing that have looked at CBD oil for treating symptoms of diabetes in people with type 1 and people with type 2 diabetes. While these studies are limited, CBD may show promise for many of the most debilitating aspects for people with diabetes. While CBD research has been going on for some time, many of the studies tested on animals with diabetes, like mice, which limits what we can apply to the human population.
CBD For Diabetes In (April. 2024)
- Spruce CBD – Editor’s Choice
- Joy Organics – Best Broad-Spectrum
- Royal CBD – Best Full-Spectrum
- CBDPure – Most Natural
- Medterra – Best Pure CBD
- Charlotte’s Web – Best Variety
- Koi CBD – Easiest To Find
- Lazarus Naturals – Best Value
- Plus CBD – Best Advanced Process
- Endoca CBD – Best Choice For Entourage Effect
Does CBD Help With Diabetes?
CBD use for diabetes is not a completely new concept. While using CBD for diabetes has not exactly been making appearances in literature long term, it is still a concept that has grown some roots within the last decade.
The linked study from the American Journal of Pathology shows the potential that the effects of CBD may help with certain aspects in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The study reported positive outcomes and effects on complications of diabetes that we commonly see.
Prevention of these complications is known to lead to better outcomes and better quality of life for people with diabetes. These mechanisms studied included: stopping the progression of diabetic neuropathy, which is nerve pain associated with diabetes in the extremities of the body.
Diabetic nephropathy, which is decreased kidney function, contributes to progressing damage from diabetes. This research holds powerful potential in future diabetes management. Those who commonly suffer from these debilitating comorbidities are associated with diabetes.
The current evidence sits, is promising but needs to be further researched and verified like most initial science. We can remain hopeful but it will likely take some time before good peer-reviewed science can scratch the so-called surface of CBD use in medicine and diabetes treatment.
While this seems to be a negative when looking at CBD in diabetes, the next paragraph outlines a number of studies in diabetes with intriguing evidence on why we shouldn’t give up on CBD just yet. Taking CBD oils, like the products mentioned above, may help in some aspects.
Best CBD Oil For Diabetes In 2024
Spruce CBD
15% Off Coupon: HEALTHCANAL
Spruce CBD is a respectable and trusted brand that provides full spectrum and high-quality CBD oil.
- Comprehensive 3rd party testing
- Family-owned and operated business
- Lab grade strength and potency
- Derive products from unique hemp strain
- Price runs a little more expensive than the average
- Only comes in two potencies
Spruce CBD was founded in 2018 in the state of North Carolina as a family-owned and operated business. The company uses a unique and old strain of hemp known as American hemp that has reportedly been grown in the US for over two centuries.
Farmed and cultivated in both Kentucky and North Carolina with the highest scrutiny in finding the highest quality family-owned farms in those states.
On top of this, the company uses a novel moonshine extraction method to produce the best CBD oil possible. These several attributes make the company a trusted choice for some of the best CBD oils available. On their website, you’ll find their third-party lab-tested products coming in two potencies: A 2400 mg max strength bottle (80 mg/mL) or the regular strength tincture (25 mg/mL).
The site now boasts additional products such as CBD salves, lotions, and creams all formulated with the same high-quality CBD. There’s now a seasonal pumpkin spice tincture flavor.
Joy Organics
25% Off Coupon: HEALTHCANAL
Joy Organics is a family-run business with a unique backstory, they offer a full spectrum product which is ideal for users looking to avoid THC within a product to get the benefits from CBD.
- THC-free, broad-spectrum formulation
- 3rd party lab tested
- Premium grade and high purity
- Low levels of minor cannabinoids
- Higher price range
Joy Organics is a family-run and founded business that specializes in full-spectrum CBD oils which carry over the benefits of all the other compounds found in the extract such as terpenes but minus the THC.
It has established itself as a reputable brand by publishing all its comprehensive 3rd party testing for the public eye to see.
The company’s CBD oil contains a range of 225 to up to 1350 mg of CBD bottle which is 30mL, and is available in four potencies:
- 7.5 mg/ml
- 15 mg/ml
- 30 mg/ml
- 45 mg/ml
Their CBD oil comes in a range of flavors such as natural, tranquil mint, summer lemon, and orange bliss.
Royal CBD
20% Off Coupon: HC20
Royal CBD is another quality company you can trust. They are committed to ethical, natural, and environmental extraction processes.
- High-potency CBD oil and products
- Unique supercritical C02 extraction process
- 100% fully sourced organic and natural hemp
- Limited product selection
Royal CBD is based out of California and advocates becoming a trusted CBD supplier. As a company and brand, they are committed to ethical, natural, and environmental extraction processes. What this means is they take pride in creating quality products through creating both pure and potent CBD oil.
With their CBD oil products being sourced from 100% natural and organic materials a unique CO2 extraction process, and transparent 3rd party testing you can have peace of mind in knowing you are selecting a quality brand.
On top of that, they make sure their customer service is at your demand and they are fully committed to answering all customer questions no matter what it may be. Their full spectrum products range from 250mg all the way up to 2500mg, making their products available for all types of users.
CBDPure
CBD Pure is a solid brand that prides itself in being able to say it does not add any active ingredients or fillers into their product which is a huge plus in the CBD industry.
- Full spectrum CBD oil rich in minor cannabinoids
- Organic and Non-GMO
- 90-day satisfaction guarantee
- A basic website that lacks detail
- Low CBD potency
CBD Pure was founded in the year 2016 and is based out of Colorado and Washington, specializing in pure CBD oil that contains no added ingredients after the process. The plants used are grown in the states of of Washington and Colorado and are organic with no synthetic or artificial ingredients used.
CBD Pure is a full-spectrum CBD product that utilizes the CO2 extraction method which is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and considered the safest extraction method in the industry.
CBD Pure offers a selection of CBD oils ranging from 300, 600, and 1000 mg of CBD per dose. On their website, they also have offerings of CBD soft gels and CBD creams as well.
With its 90-day satisfaction guarantee and certified lab tests, CBD Pure is a solid choice when in the market for a CBD product selection.
Medterra
Medterra is a well-known brand that offers some of the best CBD products at great prices and is known for offering a unique product CBD isolate.
- US Hemp Authority Certified
- Exceptionally low prices
- Independent lab testing
- No flavor options
- Limited product selection
Medterra is a growing brand with a reputation for its quality products at competitive pricing.
The company has certification from the U.S. Hemp Authority, which in this industry proves adherence to strict hemp manufacturing quality standards.
The company makes CBD isolate which is a unique product formulation because it takes extra work and processing to isolate just the CBD from the other cannabinoids and terpenes found in hemp. This is great for users looking for confidence to get pure CBD products with nothing else in it.
The formulation of CBD Isolate formulation (Contains only CBD isolate and coconut MCT oil) from Medterra comes as follows:
- 17 mg/ml (500 mg of CBD per bottle)
- 33 mg/ml (1000 mg of CBD per bottle)
- 100 mg/ml (3000 mg of CBD per bottle)
Charlotte’s Web
It’s no secret Charlotte’s Web is one of the most trusted and established brands in the CBD industry hands down, it’s hard to go wrong with their quality and range of product selection for any user.
- Established and respected brand
- Multiple potencies, sizes, and flavors
- US hemp authority certified
- Slightly more expensive than other brands
- 3rd party tests only available after purchase
Charlotte’s Web is a company named after Charlotte Figi, a young girl with Dravet’s syndrome whose story popularized and led to laws shifting towards the use and acceptance of medical marijuana and CBD across the US and internationally.
Just based on this story one can already sense the type of company this is, with their philanthropic and visionary values in the industry. This easily translates to their products which are remarked as some of the most trustworthy and respected on the market.
Their tinctures are their best-selling product, but the company carries a plethora of CBD products in which you the consumer may find what suits you. Ranging from gummies to extracts to tinctures to creams, it’s an easy-to-navigate website that will lead you right to what you need and are looking for in CBD.
Its CBD oil product line has several flavors and ranges in potency from 7mg/mL all the way up to 60mg/mL. Which most users from beginner to experts will likely find to satisfy their needs.
You can’t go wrong with their product line or with the company products as a whole.
Koi CBD
Koi fits the bill for users looking for an accountable and transparent company that sets industry standards for quality and consistency.
- The high degree of transparency
- Strong customer service
- Full panel analysis for potency and purity
- Limited product selection
- Lack of many flavor options
Founded in 2015, Koi is not new to the CBD game. Also as members of the USA hemp roundtable, they help set industry standards for quality and credentials.
They use quality hemp grown in the US and use a strict vendor validation process in which they find suppliers. They take pride in providing some of the highest consistency in the industry within their products from start to finish.
Koi offers a wide range and unique selection of products from CBD oil to gummies to CBD flower to balms and gels. Their CBD 30 mL tincture selection ranges from 250mg to 2000mg with many different flavor profiles as well making it easy selection for all users.
Lazarus Naturals
Lazarus has some of the most affordable pricing in the industry while also providing some of the best CBD oil and other CBD products that don’t do damage to your wallet.
- Competitive Pricing
- Large veteran discounts
- Self-grows most of its hemp
- No 30mL bottle size
- Lacks an extra high potency option
Lazarus Naturals is all about keeping the prices low but the potency high, as a company that prides itself in affordability but reputable dosing and potency. Make sure you don’t miss out on their extensive product line.
Founded in 2014 when the CBD industry was heating up, it started a movement and a mission that has got the company where it is today and is something to admire.
Quality, potency, and transparency are three things the company emphasizes on its website. They pride themselves on accessibility to underserved and vulnerable populations by offering discounts so that all can enjoy the benefits of their product.
While the backstory is heartwarming and something everyone can get behind, it is equally as potent as their products. The company provides a wide variety of respectable products from their standard CBD oil tincture to a high potency CBD oil tincture, to CBD/CBG products and CBD isolates.
As we mentioned before, it’s hard to find anything negative about the company. They have a powerful mission and superb CBD products to match that, which speaks for itself.
PlusCBD
Overall, it’s a well-trusted brand with exceptional quality and is the #1 selling hemp extract in the US.
- Seed-to-shelf transparency
- Large product selection
- EU-certified hemp seeds
- Somewhat expensive
- Limited flavors for some products
PlusCBD was founded in 2012 and it is known for being one of the earliest CBD companies founded in the US. PlusCBD has steadily built itself as a strong competitor in the CBD industry. The company also has a reputation for raising the bar when it comes to industry standards.
The company tests all of its final products on top of comprehensive third-party tests, which it provides on its own website.
CBD oil drops come in a range of doses from 8 to 27 mg/ml with a total of 250-1500 mg of CBD.
The company’s CBD oil is available in full-spectrum formulations:
- Raw: Raw form of CBD from raw hemp extract and contains CBDa
- Total plant complex: Full spectrum extract
- Gold: Refined and filtered extract that pulls chlorophyll and another additional plant
Endoca
Endoca boasts premium hemp-derived CBD oil formulas that are full of flavonoids, terpenes, phytocompounds, omega 3, vitamins D and E, and much more!
- Grows and extracts own hemp
- 3rd party and in-house testing
- Established CBD brand
- Strong earthy flavor
- Only two flavor options
The company started its roots in 2010 in Denmark, Endoca from an international perspective is one of the world’s oldest and most respectable companies around.
Endoca uses non-GMO hemp grown in Denmark. The hemp is extracted with the top-quality CO2 extraction method to make a high-quality full-spectrum extract that includes a full range of cannabinoids found in hemp such as CBC and CBG which can be beneficial compounds.
Like many reputable companies, Endoca utilizes in-house as well as a third-party lab, to qualify to certify their dosages and safety profile.
Endoca’s full-spectrum CBD oils can be found in a variety of doses seen as (30 mg/ml, 300 mg total) as well as high potencies (150 mg/ml, 1500 mg total). Which is likely able to satisfy a wide variety of consumer needs for product dosing.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes, also known as high blood sugar, is a disease state[2] in which there is a problem with the release and response to the hormone, insulin. Insulin is responsible for regulating your sugar blood after you eat. Thus, insulin resistance or inability to produce insulin leads to high blood glucose levels (blood sugar) which can be damaging and life-threatening if left untreated.
Diabetes is an inflammatory disease in many aspects as well. This is because symptoms of diabetes can cause damage to these organs by damaging their blood vessels through chronic inflammation. People with diabetes are also at higher risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis disease, and other complications. Diabetes is also the leading cause of diseases of the eye and kidneys. Other common complications are high blood pressure and diabetic neuropathies (nerve pain).
There are two types of diabetes that are most common, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The third is gestational diabetes which occurs in pregnant women. Together, people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes account for more than 10% of the US population 18 years and above, roughly 34 million people.[3] 1 in 3 have prediabetes[4] which is roughly 88 million people.
Type 1 Diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes[3] are estimated to account for 5-10% of total cases and the most common cause is due to the destruction of insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas by the immune system. This means your body is unable to properly produce insulin. The prevalence of type 1 diabetes is increasing but there is no good explanation as to why.
Type 2 Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes[3] are estimated to account for 90-95% of total diabetes cases. The prevalence of people with type 2 diabetes continues to rise in the US and the most common suspected causes are due to decreasing physical activity and increased incidence of obesity in the population.
Type 2 diabetes can also be referred to as insulin-resistant diabetes as the onset of high blood sugar happens later in life whereas, in type 1 diabetes, the body is unable to produce insulin adequately. Genetics do play an important role in the development and susceptibility of developing insulin resistance.
Does CBD Oil Lower Blood Sugar?
Current clinical studies on the effects of CBD on blood sugars are limited, this is mostly due to the recent legalization of cannabis and related products like CBD.
What we do know is that the endocannabinoid system within the body is a complex network of receptors that have varying effects throughout the body, much of which we don’t fully understand. It’s proposed that the ECS could play a role in the regulation of insulin and blood glucose levels within the body and possibly even in the development of diabetes, but its mechanism is still poorly understood and under-researched.
A key study published in the American Diabetes Association Journal in 2016, noted that CBD had little to no effect on glycemic control. The study did find that THCV, a cannabinoid found in hemp, significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and improved pancreatic beta-cell function for those with diabetes. While CBD had no significant effect on sugar blood levels, it did decrease circulating levels of resistin, a hormone associated with obesity and insulin resistance.
Based on this study, THCV shows good promise with future research as a potential agent in assisting in blood sugar management and control. While CBD had no effect on blood sugar levels, there were some potential flaws in the study. CBD dosage used was only 200mg per day, it’s been noted that higher levels of CBD are needed to see potential therapeutic effects in both human, middle aged diabetic rats and rat populations with diabetes. This point is worth noting, to not discourage continued future research on CBD and blood glucose.
Benefits Of CBD Oil For Diabetes
The Claimed benefits of CBD in treating diabetes range from neuropathic and chronic pain relief to anti-inflammatory properties on aspects of diabetes, to increased control and regulation of glycemic and lipid parameters, cannabidiol improves metabolic dysfunction. This suggests that there is potential that CBD can help certain symptoms of diabetes.
The strongest evidence we have and have seen with CBD is its role as an anti-inflammatory agent[4] with its effects on Arachidonic acid (AA) production and release as well as cytokine release both of which are key pathways in inflammatory signaling.
This research area has been building an array of research and has had many interesting reports on possible therapeutic applications for many diseases. However, in general, CBD and its effects on inflammation in diabetes have not been studied extensively in many people. It’s worth noting, however, that chronic inflammation plays a key role in developing insulin resistance which is often a trigger for type 2 treat diabetes.
With the most apparent benefits of CBD for diabetes being seen in anti-inflammatory pathways this seems to be the best potential for its usage. A common known complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, which is the inflammation and breakdown of the blood barrier in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy can long term lead to vision impairment and loss.
A study published in 2006 by the American Journal of Pathology looked at the neuroprotective effects in protecting from cell death in retinas in diabetic mice. Results promisingly showed a decrease in inflammation in the retinas of the rats and prevention of cell death in the retinas of the rats.
The Journal of the American College of Cardiology did a pre-clinical study[5] investigating the impact of CBD on a number of parameters in mice with type 1 diabetes. The study concluded that cannabidiol lowers incidence of inflammation but also has an effect on decreasing the risk of cardiovascular problems and outcomes seen in diabetic populations.
This study does have some undeniable drawbacks. It was performed on mice and not humans. However, it shows promise for potential future clinical trials in humans and the potential therapeutic role of CBD for the management of diabetes.
How To Use CBD For Diabetes?
Since consumer CBD is considered a dietary supplement and has no FDA approval, there are no specific dosage guidelines.
The best approach is to start low and steadily increase the dose until the desired effects are reached. Everybody is different and some people can respond to different things differently. It is best to start low and go slow.
Is Using CBD Oil For Diabetes Safe?
CBD is reported by the WHO to be generally well tolerated [6] as well as having a good safety profile with limited side effects. The WHO also states that while CBD is approved for other conditions such as epilepsy, it only shows preliminary evidence of effectiveness to treat other conditions.
While CBD is shown to be relatively safe, it is always pertinent to discuss the use of a dietary supplement such as CBD with a medical provider such as your doctor or pharmacist. CBD has been shown to interact with some commonly used medications, the result of this could be minor or severe.
This is why it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider first before using CBD. It helps possibly prevent any adverse effects or interactions from the use of CBD oil and diabetes or other dietary supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions
CBD most simply put is the non-psychoactive chemical found in the Cannabis plant, which now is under intense research as it is thought to provide a therapeutic role in many places and disease states.
The ECS is a complex signaling system[7] within the human body the role it serves is poorly understood. It communicates through chemical signals and messengers and is thought to play a role in inflammation, pain, mood, and stress.
The two most well-known receptors in the ECS are CB1 and CB2 which THC interacts with both, CBD however is thought to have a much wider role interacting with many receptors throughout the body, believed to be 50+ which gives us reason to investigate further into the ECS.
Yes, CBD is currently legal in all 50 states, as long as it maintains a concentration of THC less than 0.3%.
Hemp and marijuana are technically variants of the same plant named Cannabis Sativa. The main difference within the laws refers to the allowed amount of THC per dried amount of hemp plant which cannot exceed 0.3% THC.
CBD has rarely been associated with any serious side effects, if any. Minor side effects that most frequently have been reported are Lightheadedness, Dry mouth, Nausea, and rarely ever mild intoxication.
+ 7 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Meissner, H. and Cascella, M. (2022). Cannabidiol (CBD). [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556048/.
- Kharroubi, A.T. (2015). Diabetes mellitus: The epidemic of the century. World Journal of Diabetes, [online] 6(6), p.850. doi:https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v6.i6.850.
- CDC (2022). Type 2 Diabetes. [online] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html
- Jadoon, K.A., Ratcliffe, S.H., Barrett, D.A., Thomas, E.L., Stott, C., Bell, J.D., O’Sullivan, S.E. and Tan, G.D. (2016). Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabivarin on Glycemic and Lipid Parameters in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Pilot Study. Diabetes Care, [online] 39(10), pp.1777–1786. doi:https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-0650.
- Rajesh, M., Mukhopadhyay, P., Bátkai, S., Patel, V., Saito, K., Matsumoto, S., Kashiwaya, Y., Horváth, B., Mukhopadhyay, B., Becker, L., Haskó, G., Liaudet, L., Wink, D.A., Veves, A., Mechoulam, R. and Pacher, P. (2010). Cannabidiol attenuates cardiac dysfunction, oxidative stress, fibrosis, inflammatory and cell death signaling pathways in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, [online] 56(25), pp.2115–2125. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2010.07.033.
- Geneva (2018). CANNABIDIOL (CBD) Critical Review Report Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Fortieth Meeting. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf.
- Battista, N., Di Tommaso, M., Bari, M. and Maccarrone, M. (2012). The endocannabinoid system: an overview. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, [online] 6. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2012.00009.
