Cannabis does not treat diabetes
No cannabis product lowers blood glucose or replaces insulin. The American Diabetes Association diet for diabetes limits added sugar, refined grains, and sodium. A cannabis recipe for diabetes must follow the same rules. The cannabis adds THC or CBD. The food base must be low in carbohydrate and sugar.
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How cannabis affects blood glucose
THC can change appetite and digestion. A 2013 study in The American Journal of Medicine found that cannabis users had lower fasting insulin and lower insulin resistance than non-users. The study did not prove cause. CBD does not lower blood glucose in human trials. The FDA has not approved CBD for diabetes.
- THC may cause hunger, which can raise food intake.
- THC may hide signs of low blood sugar, such as shakiness or confusion.
- Edibles with sugar or flour can raise blood glucose for hours.
Edible dosing rules for diabetes
Start with 1 mg THC. Wait 2 hours. Check blood glucose before and after. Do not take a second dose in that window. Use a tincture or oil with a known milligram amount per drop or per milliliter. A kitchen scale measures grams, not milligrams. Labels on legal products in the US state THC content per serving.
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- Measure blood glucose.
- Eat 1 mg THC with a meal that has protein and fat.
- Wait 2 hours. Measure again.
- Record the result. Adjust the next dose with a doctor.
Low-carb cannabis recipes
Cannabis olive oil vinaigrette
Mix 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 mg THC tincture. Stir. Pour over 2 cups spinach and 1/2 cup cucumber. Serves 2. Each serving has 1 mg THC and 2 g carbohydrate.
Is Cannabis Safe for Diabetics?
Almond flour crackers with cannabutter
Combine 1 cup almond flour, 1 egg, 1/4 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp cannabutter. The cannabutter has 5 mg THC per tbsp. Press into a 6 by 6 inch pan. Bake at 325 F for 12 minutes. Cut into 20 squares. Each square has 0.5 mg THC and 1 g carbohydrate.
Sugar-free cannabis fat bombs
Melt 1/2 cup coconut oil with 10 mg THC. Add 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 tbsp erythritol. Stir. Pour into 10 small cups. Chill for 30 minutes. Each piece has 1 mg THC and 1 g carbohydrate.
What to avoid
- Recipes with honey, maple syrup, or cane sugar.
- Store-bought gummies with 10 mg or more THC per piece.
- Recipes with white flour, white rice, or potato starch.
- Alcohol tinctures if you take insulin or sulfonylureas.
Monitoring and medical advice
Check blood glucose at 1 hour and 2 hours after an edible. Keep glucose tablets or 15 g fast carbohydrate nearby. Tell your doctor about cannabis use. Some drugs for diabetes interact with cannabis. The evidence on long-term cannabis and diabetes is not complete. More research is needed.