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Treating Diabetes with Cannabis?
I’m grinning. Can you see me? Via a tip from Simon of Power and Control I’ve learned that cannabis (yep: pot, grass, weed, ganja…) can be used to treat diabetes. But no, really. This is legit! Check out a new research paper from the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis (AAMC).
This paper posits that cannabis can have the following benefits for diabetes patients:
* stabilizing blood sugars (confirmed via “a large body of anecdotal evidence building among diabetes sufferers”)
* anti-inflammatory action that may help quell some of the arterial inflammation common in diabetes
* “neuroprotective” effects that help thwart inflammation of nerves and reduce the pain of neuropathy by activating receptors in the body and brain
* “anti-spasmodic agents” help relieve muscle cramps and the pain of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
* acts as a “vasodilator” to help keep blood vessels open and improve circulation
* contributes to lower blood pressure over time, which is vital for diabetics
* substituting cannabis butter and oil in foods “benefits cardiac and arterial health in general”
* it can also be used to make topical creams to relieve neuropathic pain and tingling in hands and feet
* finally, cannabis helps still diabetic “restless leg syndrom” (RLS), so the patient can sleep better: “it is recommended that patients use a vaporizer or smoked cannabis to aid in falling asleep.”
Now I have no idea how this has been received in the medical community, but that is one heck of a long list of potential health benefits! Where do I sign up for the clinical studies? (wink 
Simon concludes: “If the stuff wasn’t illegal it would be considered a medical super-miracle given all the problems it treats.” Check them all out at LetFreedomGrow.com.
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Omg that is crazy, lets all pull out our cheech and chong sized blunts lol
Posted by: gina | October 26th, 2005 at 9:44 am(new to your blog, wife of t-1 diabetic)
But what about getting the MUNCHIES? Wouldn’t all the benefits be blown away if said diabetic eats a whole box of Ho-Hos?
Posted by: JustLinda | October 26th, 2005 at 9:51 amKidding, of course… interesting stuff. Really.
Now I know why I am still alive and healthy. Damn all those years of being stoned helped my BS.
Posted by: Kirk | October 26th, 2005 at 1:31 pmWhy tangle with the law? Will there be any side-effect on taking cannibis?
As a type II diabetic, I am drinking bitter melon tea to control my diabetes. Collecting some articles, I invite other type II diabetics to learn more about that magic vegetable.
There are many alternative remedies. Should we consider their legality, availibility, costs, possible side-effects and various related issues before we even decide to choose one.
Posted by: Walton Lee | October 26th, 2005 at 6:07 pmWelcome, JustLinda! Great input. Ho-hos, geez — a faint memory.
Alternative remedies, yes. I’m getting to those very soon
Posted by: AmyT | October 27th, 2005 at 6:54 amHere’s some more for that body of anecdotal evidence. My ex-daughter-in-law, who has Type I diabetes, found that her recreational use was helping her to control her blood sugar. My wee wifey, whose Type II is managed without insulin, found that it worked also for her, but doesn’t enjoy it enough to continue use.
Posted by: triticale | October 30th, 2005 at 1:51 pmHealth Round-Up
Statin drugs may be more important for older patients as study shows new role for HDL ‘Good” Cholesterol Seeking clues as to why dieters so often fail and binge-eat instead, scientists studied rats to learn that stress plus tempting treats triggers…
Posted by: Business of Life™ | November 9th, 2005 at 4:05 pmHealth Round-Up
Statin drugs may be more important for older patients as study shows new role for HDL ‘Good” Cholesterol Seeking clues as to why dieters so often fail and binge-eat instead, scientists studied rats to learn that stress plus tempting treats triggers…
Posted by: Business of Life™ | November 9th, 2005 at 4:54 pmI have smoked cannabis for four years my mum is a diabetic and my gran and grandad which means i am likely to get it but they have all had it since they were kids about my age they were diagnosed so could it be the cannabis that is preventing or covering it up????????????
Posted by: cannabetes | January 5th, 2007 at 2:59 amI have been smoking cannibas for well over 6 years and have benefited from its benefits. My only problem is my parents are totally against it. They have been diagnosed with having diabetes and they are taking some type of pill. I need a way to explain to them that marijuana is not what they say it is and that it has many benefits. Why else would Jesus Christ put this plant (weed) on this planets. It’s a wonder drug.
Posted by: Joel | April 17th, 2007 at 7:26 pmThis is great, Once i was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, i stopped drinking alcohol and started smoking weed daily (not recommended.. ha) . I have to say, I have not used insulin in over a year and my AC-1 tests have been extraordinary - I am 21yr old male.
Posted by: corey | August 16th, 2007 at 12:37 pmi am a 27 year old type 1 diabetic i was diagnosed when i was 5…. i have found cannabis has most certainly helped me….. pain is gone circualation much better and no more pains in the feet and hands blood counts have finally began to lower (i have hyperglycemia “consistant high blood glucose” )
Posted by: andrew | September 1st, 2007 at 9:24 pmThis is definitley factual, I am a 25 year old type 1 diabetic from the age of 10 and a half. For the past 14 years I have used marijuana, for the past ten years i have used marijuana on a dialy basis, for the past 7 years I have used marijuana on a 24 hour basis aside from sleep, strictly out of a vaporizer with an iced bong which virtually gives no carbon deposits such as tar emmisions from normal smoking. With that said I currently hold a PGA card, and own 3 successful web based companies, “which allow me to not stress my body and to exercise at my leisure, as well as wake up when my body is ready. not to create extra anxiety which causes a jump in blood glucose. I do not want to sound self absorbed by voicing my accompishments, I just want to notify people out there or the parents of diabetic children that it is possible to do anything, I have A1C test of 6.2 and I have not tested by blood glucose in over 8 years. My secrets to 20/20 vision, a stable mindset, and 8% bodyfat is “peace of mind, financial freedom, tons of exercise, healthy diet but i still cheat for sure, and last but not least, a large supply of very good marijuana.
Posted by: website promotion | October 11th, 2007 at 11:08 pmI have been suffering from type 2 Diabietes since the age of 11. At the age of 17 I started smoking cannabis and since I have recieved a miraculous improvement to my life. The constant aches and pains and tiredness are no longer and my A1C are extremely satisfactory to my doctor. I have gone from refusing to be put onto insulin, (because of the side effects involved and having seen countless members of my family go through this) to almost leading a normal life without the need to take medication. I have tested and recorded my blood sugar level with just taking my usual medication, just taking cannabis and the two combined. I found Cannabis by far is the easiest method and most effective. Combined my blood sugars fell dangerously low (3.2mmol) and very unstable. Munchies are a short term side effect which subsides after your body adapts from frequent use. If you are not using a vapouriser I recommend transparent Rizla made from apple skin. Being able to use cannabis in this way was a great shock, but although I have thought about quiting I cant bring myself to because of the difference it has made to my life, and no doctor has been able to offer me a better alternative.
Posted by: Rosey | November 4th, 2007 at 4:30 amwhy not legalise then
ive been doing it for a short time daily.
I havnt been to clicnic yet, i was going to qwit but after i seen all this it seems a smart idea to continue but not daily…
Posted by: scott | November 30th, 2007 at 3:39 amhaving the munchies from pot use is a sign that it does affect blood sugar in n.i.d.d.m patients My M.D. prefers its use instead of drugstore
Posted by: P.o.t. for the G.O.P. | February 3rd, 2008 at 5:04 pmremedies for peripheral symptoms
So….how do we get the finacial freedom!!!!
Posted by: greg | February 15th, 2008 at 2:03 amAmy is this post related to something you wrote last year? A lot of comments from 2007.
It is an interesting topic among patients and doctors, all over the world, for all kinds of medical therapy.
In my experience, having Type 1 for 23 years, cannabis helped calm my nerves, ease my mind (help with the constant racing thoughts that comes with managing this disease) and helped with sleep. When I was younger the munchies were an issue. As I grew up I learned how to control my daily cravings and substitute foods to avoid too many carbs or sweets (like eating a salad at the end of a meal helped me Not crave sweets).
If it works, work it.
It will affect each person differently. It would be nice if the government would be more lenient on the medical field to explore the benefits and help create a regiment for those that want to use it for whatever aliment.
Time to time it is nice to just relax, heck, I try on my own but for me, a little extra somethin’ helps sometimes.
Posted by: CALpumper | February 15th, 2008 at 11:14 amI love positive input! I look forward to the day when I can walk down my own rows of what George Washington called “Blossoming Hemp,” and enjoy the aroma, the view and the experience. It is a fact (”The Emperor Wears No Clothes” by Jack Herer) that G.W. and T.J. traded smoking mixtures. I’ve heard that the only other time cannabis was illegal was during the Spanish Inquisition. Does that tell us something about how far away from the U.S. Constitution we really are?
Posted by: Sunny | May 13th, 2008 at 7:09 pmThere is no reason for this prohibition. Cannabis has so many medical benefits not just Diabetes with almost 0 side effects(except maybe being stoned). Cannabis is illegal NOT because it is a harmful substance or a gateway drug. I know many medical patients including myself and don’t know one of them who has used any other drugs due to the fact that they wanted to get “Higher”. It actually in my honest opinion keeps people from doing harmful drugs. The reason Cannabis is illegal is the fact that the FDA could not patent it as it is a plant. It is also so easy to cultivate yourself that big pharm would make little or no money. There are a lot religious factors behind the prohibition as well. Cannabis has been known to CURE yes CURE cancer, cut down on harmful medications and make a better life for AIDS patients, people with physical pain and people with ADD/ADHD. Cannabis has been use for thousands of years why now is it illegal to get to medication that works and is very affordable? Here are a few links to some great videos by fellow mmj patients. FOR ANYONE BATTLING CANCER PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjhT9282-Tw&feature=related. Fight for what you believe in. Fight for the right to use what works. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Posted by: CannabisActivist | June 2nd, 2008 at 12:36 pmWhy is it that everywhere I look, regarding marijuana, I find these wonderful anecdotes about how much it has helped with whatever ailed them? Only people who believe everything the government tells them believe that pot is Evil! I believe that one of the commentors was right….the big pharms have been waiting for the “baby boomers” to show up with their ailments and need their pills to survive. I’ve smoked for 38 years, starting at age 21, and I honestly believe that the peace of mind and feeling of well being has kept me young! I was a computer consultant for 40 years (high stress) and I developed no stress twitches and my hair is still brown.
Posted by: Bill Fields | June 19th, 2008 at 11:13 amIt is a sad commentary, but do not believe everything the government tells you or you will believe political correctness is not a form of control.
I’m becoming an “In your face” activist, but polite, to try and end this madness.
A little freedom can prevent crime…and in this case, it applies.
I can be reached at mrwilliejax@bellsouth.net