Jazzmine Myers

Marijuana Users Have Better Blood Sugar Control

Jazzmine Myers

For centuries Cannabis Sativa has been used to relieve pain, improve mood, and increase appetite¹. Although it’s been out lawed in the United States in 1937, more and more people continue to use it recreationally. The synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) an active ingredient in cannabis has already been approved to treat side effects of chemotherapy, AIDS induced anorexia, nausea and other medical conditions. The use of marijuana in the patient population is increasing due to the legalization of medicinal marijuana in 19 states and the legalization of recreational marijuana in two states.

The National Health and Nutrition Survey data was analyzed by a multicenter research team between 2005 and 2010¹. Out of 4,657 patients who filled out the drug questionnaire, 579 was current marijuana users, 1,975 had used marijuana in the past but were not current users, and 2,103 had never inhaled or ingested marijuana. After a nine hour fast a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated; and fasting insulin and glucose was measured via blood samples. The results showed that patients who used marijuana in the past month had lower levels of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, and higher levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol. However the results were weaker in patients who haven’t used cannabis in the past 30 days. This suggested that cannabis only have an effect on fasting insulin and insulin resistance during periods of recent use. Overall, current users have 16 percent lower fasting insulin levels than participants who never used cannabis despite their higher calorie intake. However, the mechanism and the impact of regular marijuana use on insulin resistance and cardiometabolic side effects are still unknown. Therefore more research needs to be conducted in order to answer the unknown.

References:

1.     Elsevier (2013, May 15). Marijuana users have better blood sugar control. ScienceDaily.

Retrieved June 2, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/ 2013/05/ 130515085208.htm