Cannabidiol, popularly referred to as CBD, is a derivative of the Cannabis Sativa plant. Research has confirmed that it has several beneficial effects on our overall health. For example, it helps relieve pain, treat skin disorders, and improve anxiety and other psychological ailments. Recently, another fact came to light that CBD can have therapeutic properties in controlling Type-2 Diabetes.
CBD hemp gummies for anxiety in UK have become quite popular among diabetic patients because they are easy to consume without measuring doses constantly. But, science also states that consuming CBD can have several side effects that may adversely affect our health. In this article, we are trying to understand whether its benefits weigh more than its adverse effects and whether it is safe to consume CBD products. Please keep reading to know more about CBD gummies, their effects, and what research says about them.
What are CBD gummies?
CBD gummies are probably the most convenient, discreet, yet fun way to consume cannabidiol. And it’s tasty too. They are also quite simple to make. First, we derive CBD from its plant source using supercritical CO2 extraction or solvent extraction techniques. Then it is infused into a mixture of sugar and gelatin, followed by the addition of flavors.
How do CBD gummies act on your body?
Once the CBD in these gummies enters our body, it affects the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This ECS is a complex biological system that plays a significant role in controlling the body’s homeostasis.
It consists of three core components:
- Endocannabinoids – These are compounds produced by our body with similar structure and functions like phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids extracted from the Cannabis plant).
- Endocannabinoid Receptors – CB1 and CB2 are the primary endocannabinoid receptors. These are the sites that receive the endocannabinoids and produce signals directed to various parts of the body. These signals command different tissues to carry out other functions.
- Enzymes – They help the endogenous cannabinoids to break down after they perform their respective functions.
The ECS is associated with various systems in our body like metabolism, nervous and immune systems. But scientists are yet to assess its full potential. The phytocannabinoids or plant-derived CBD, when consumed, bind with the CB1 and CB2 receptors to produce therapeutic actions by activating different pathways in our body. Now, let’s see what function ECS has in Type-2 diabetes.
Role of Endocannabinoid System in Type-2 Diabetes
Type-2 Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that usually affects people over 45 years of age. Patients with Type-2 Diabetes develop resistance to insulin (the hormone responsible for regulating the body’s blood glucose level). As a result, their blood glucose rises, leading to other severe health problems.
According to the ongoing research, experts suggest that the Endocannabinoid System may contribute to the development of Type-2 Diabetes. If the ECS gets overactive, it might amplify energy intake and storage by increasing appetite. This phenomenon exerts cell-destructing effects in the pancreatic beta cells (cells responsible for producing insulin). Consequently, it impairs the glucose and lipid metabolism in our body and develops inflammation of the pancreatic islets (the part of the pancreas which produces insulin).
An evidence-based study suggests that the ECS influences diabetic-induced oxidative stress, inflammation of other organs, and multiple other complications. With this data in hand, scientists discovered that we could somehow influence the ECS system to control Type-2 diabetes and its complications. They conducted various studies on both animals and humans to evaluate whether CBD can affect the ECS and found promising results.
How can CBD Gummies help patients with Type-2 Diabetes?
CBD, being an anti-inflammatory agent, positively affects the inflammation triggered by the unregulated blood glucose level in the body.
- According to a study mentioned in the American Journal of Physiology in 2007, cannabidiol could alleviate inflammatory responses caused by higher blood glucose levels in our body.
- Another 2006 animal study suggests that when treated with cannabidiol, mice showed a significant reduction in the occurrence of diabetes in them.
The antioxidant property of non-psychoactive CBD is also accredited to relieve the diabetes-induced oxidative stress in our body.
Are there any potential side effects of consuming CBD gummies?
Just like all good things come with a drawback, CBD consumption has disadvantages too. Though CBD is generally well tolerated by people, there are possibilities of several mild to moderate adverse reactions.
Some common side effects observed in human are;
- Abnormalities in liver function
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Dry Mouth
- Reduced Appetite
CBD consumption can also cause hypersensitive reactions in specific individuals, majorly noticed in people with tree or nut allergies.
Like other drugs, excessive consumption of CBD gummies for pain can result in CBD toxicity. In such cases, the common symptoms noticed are:
- Acute psychosis
- Agitation
- Seizures
- Sedation
In severe cases, the symptoms may aggravate to cause:
- Hyperthermia,
- Rhabdomyolysis, wherein muscle tissue degeneration occurs, and the process releases a potentially dangerous protein (myoglobin) in the blood.
- Renal failure.
What if you are already under some medication?
Though CBD is generally safe to consume, some evidence has proven that it can adversely interact with certain other drugs if taken together. It is recommended not to consume CBD gummies alongside pills with “Grapefruit Warning” on their labels. Grapefruit juice has a compound known as furanocoumarins which functions similarly to CBD and blocks the action of an enzyme named CYP3A4.
The CYP3A4 enzyme is responsible for metabolizing about 60% of all prescription drugs, such as:
- Antihistamines
- Blood thinners
- Blood pressure regulating drugs
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressive
- Gastrointestinal medications
- Pain-relieving drugs
- Antibiotics and antimicrobial drugs
- Anxiolytic and antidepressant Drugs
- And even medications related to sexual health.
However, constant monitoring of the medication levels under physicians’ supervision can enable one to take CBD and other drugs together, if necessary.
Though CBD gummies help regulate blood glucose levels and their inflammatory responses, you may also experience withdrawal syndrome if you suddenly stop taking them. The common symptoms observed are:
- Anxiety and depression
- Difficulty in sleeping, insomnia
- Stomach ache
- Irritability and restlessness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased anger, heightened aggression
- Headache
- Sweating
Experts recommend reducing intake in a tapered manner if you feel you no longer need to consume CBD gummies. It will help your body to adjust itself to the change without hampering other bodily functions.
The Bottom Line:
Though still under research, CBD is believed to have incredible effects on our health with some minor side effects. However, there are some other factors too that may demand some concern. The Food and Drug Association (FDA) hasn’t approved all edible or topical forms of CBD available in the market. As a result, several brands flood the market with unregulated CBD products, which could be more dangerous than beneficial to our health. Also, CBD products are not legal in numerous states around the globe. So, before you start using CBD gummies, you should be vigilant enough not to overlook these factors.