New cannabis research indicate that cannabis compounds may help in controlling blood sugar, yet health trends occur despite the fact that marijuana users take in more calories.
The most important finding is that current users of marijuana appeared to have better carbohydrate metabolism than nonusers. Their fasting insulin levels were lower, and they appeared to be less resistant to the insulin produced by their body to maintain a normal blood-sugar level. Current marijuana users showed fasting insulin levels that were 16% lower than those of former or never users, along with a 17% reduction in another measure of insulin resistance as well.
Marijuana users also had higher levels of high-density lipoprotein, the so-called good cholesterol, which can protect against heart disease. And the regular smokers also boasted smaller waistlines: on average, they were 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) slimmer than the former users and those who had never smoked cannabis. Researchers don’t yet know how to explain these correlations — and since the study was not a controlled trial, it’s not clear whether marijuana or some other factor in marijuana users’ lifestyles actually accounted for the beneficial effects.
Studies showed, however, that the cannabinoid brain receptors affected by marijuana are deeply involved in appetite and metabolism. But the exact details of how the compound alters the relationship between appetite, caloric intake and insulin response isn’t obvious yet.
Current users of marijuana appeared to have better carbohydrate metabolism than nonusers, are less likely to be obese, have a lower risk for diabetes and have lower body-mass-index measurements.
How could marijuana act on the brain receptors and lead to weight loss?
Natural marijuana includes many different potentially active compounds, and one of them — rather than THC — could be responsible for this effect. One potential candidate is a substance called cannabidiol, which also affects cannabinoid receptors, but in a different way from the way THC or rimonabant does.
Repeated Use of marijuana lowers risk of obesity and diabetes?
Another possibility involves tolerance: repeated use of a drug can make receptors less sensitive over time. “The most likely explanation is that prolonged cannabis use causes the [receptors] to lose sensitivity and become inactive,” says Daniele Piomelli, a professor of pharmacology at the University of California, Irvine, who was not associated with the new research. “This has been shown to happen in people who smoke marijuana. This weakening of [these receptors] translates into a lower risk for obesity and diabetes because the inactive receptor would be unable to respond to our own cannabis-like molecules, which we know are important in keeping us chubby.” While marijuana may initially promote appetite and overeating, in the long run it has the opposite effect because it desensitizes cannabinoid receptors and may even protect against obesity
Remove barriers to marijuana research?
“We need much more research to better understand the biologic responses to marijuana use. We really need more research to allow physicians and patients to make decisions based on solid evidence.” An editorial that accompanied the study also urged government action to reduce barriers to such research.
Read full text at: http://healthland.time.com/2013/05/21/marijuana-the-next-diabetes-drug/
Not in support of the medicalization of marijuana, but...
Just to let you know that I didn’t submit this health article in support of channeling adult marijuana use through the narrow and restrictive doctor/prescription process. I am, in fact, entirely opposed to the medicalization of marijuana for adult consumers.
I’m entirely in favor of adults using marijuana as a health product for their personal use, but as available to them only through the retail-alcohol-model, over the counter sold by a licensed retailer just as you would buy alcohol.