Study: Marijuana Consumption May Combat Diabetes

Study: Marijuana Consumption May Combat Diabetes

New research published in the recent issue of the American Journal of Medicine has found that the body of those who consume marijuana may be better at controlling blood sugar, making it a potential combatant against diabetes.

According to the study, marijuana users had significantly lower levels of the hormone insulin – indicating better blood sugar control.

For the study, researchers analyzed data obtained during the National Health and Nutrition Survey between 2005 and 2010, examining 4,657 patients, 579 who were current marijuana consumers. Researchers found that those who regularly smoked cannabis had a 16 per cent lower fasting insulin levels than people who had never smoked marijuana. Those who used the drug were also likely to have a smaller waist circumference – a large waist circumference is linked to diabetes risk.

“These are remarkable observations that are supported, as the authors note, by basic science experiments that came to similar conclusions”, stated Joseph Alpert, Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Medicine.

He continues, ” I would like to call on the NIH [National Institute of Health] and the DEA to collaborate in developing policies to implement solid scientific investigations that would lead to information assisting physicians in the proper use and prescription of THC in its synthetic or herbal form.”

– TheJointBlog