Best CBD Oil for Diabetes in 2023

Statistics regarding diabetes in the United States are alarming, with more than 100 million diabetes or prediabetes in 2017, as reported by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Diabetes is a serious disease. If neglected, it can wreak havoc on your health in many different areas, sometimes leading to such severe consequences as organ failure or death.

There are many ways to control the symptoms of diabetes or prevent its development, but what’s the link between CBD oil and diabetes?

Can CBD oil really help?

Current research, as well as individual testimonials, suggest that CBD may both relieve and prevent diabetes by engaging the endocannabinoid system through cannabinoid receptors in the body and brain.

In this article, I will cover:

• The best CBD brands on the market as of right now
• Basic information about diabetes and its collateral side effects
• The effects of CBD on diabetes (type 1 and type 2)
• How to use CBD oil for diabetes

How is that? Let’s go ahead and learn everything there is to know about CBD oil for diabetes.

Best CBD Oil Brands for Diabetes

While CBD oils are generally effective in the management of various symptoms, you shouldn’t just buy any CBD oil. There are tons of choices out there, and you have to be sure that the one you choose is made of high-quality ingredients.

With that, allow me to share with you my ranking of the best CBD oil brands on the market as of right now.

1. Royal CBD

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Pros:

• Royal CBD uses American-grown, organic hemp
• The company uses full-spectrum CBD to make their oils
• The oil is available in four strengths: 250mg, 500mg, 1000mg, and 2500mg
• Royal CBD extracts are suspended in premium MCT oil for faster absorption
• Each batch of product has been tested in a 3rd-party laboratory for potency and safety

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive than the other brands

My Thoughts on Royal CBD:

Royal CBD is a company specializing in manufacturing premium CBD oils — made from organically grown US hemp. Unlike many brands that try to make their name in the industry, this company is pretty simple. They offer CBD in basic formats, such as oils, capsules, gummies, and topicals.

Their CBD oil is available in four different potency options to address different dosage needs. They utilize a full-spectrum extract formula — which contains pure CBD along with other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, CBDA, CBC, and trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%).

Each batch of their product is tested in 3rd-party laboratories to make sure there aren’t any inconsistencies in the CBD potency and purity levels. The results are available on Royal CBD’s website.

2. Gold Bee

Pros:

• Unique product selection
• Gold Bee uses non-GMO, Colorado-grown hemp
• The oil contains full-spectrum CBD
• The company’s products are extracted with CO2
• You’re getting up tp to 1200 mg of CBD per bottle
• The oil is sweetened with organic honey
• Third-party lab tested for potency and purity

Cons:

• No high-strength oils
• Not available in-store

My Thoughts On Gold Bee:

Gold Bee is a brand established in California by a group of cannabis advocates with a professional background in the superfoods industry. The company combines organically grown hemp with honey from Brazillian rainforests. Gold Bee is actually one of the few brands whose products’ formulas include 100% organic ingredients.

The Gold Bee CBD oil is available in a 1200 mg concentration, providing 40 mg of full-spectrum CBD in each milliliter. It comes in two flavor options: natural and kiwi; the kiwi version contains natural flavorings and is sweetened with honey. On top of that, the oil has been infused with terpenes to boost the synergy between CBD and other compounds in hemp.

Gold Bee also offers other forms of CBD, such as capsules, gummies, and honey sticks. All these products are regularly tested in a third-party laboratory for potency and purity.

3. CBDPure

Pros:

• CBDPure products are sourced from organic hemp
• Extracted with CO2
• Lab-tested for potency and purity
• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed program (full refund within 90 days)

Cons:

• Narrow product range
• The oil has a slightly lower strength than the competition

My Thoughts on CBDPure

CBDPure was founded in 2016 by Colorado natives, with a simple mission — to make high-quality CBD oils made from locally grown hemp. The company offers three different strengths of their CBD oil as well as easy-to-take softgel capsules.

While this is a very modest product range, CBDPure has perfected both of these products. These full-spectrum extracts are made with supercritical CO2 and tested in third-party laboratories for potency and purity.

When it comes to their CBD oil, it’s not as potent as the other brands in this ranking, but it does a decent job at alleviating mild symptoms or if you use CBD for the extra boost to your health. If you want something potent, you can go for their softgels — each capsule has 25mg of full-spectrum CBD.

If you’re not satisfied with your product, CBDPure has a 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed program. They will give you a full refund if you send your order back within 90 days.

4. Hemp Bombs

Pros:

• This company uses certified organic hemp from European farms
• Their CBD isolate is extracted with CO2
• Extremely potent — up to 4000mg of CBD per bottle
• Extensive product range
• THC-free
• Odorless and flavorless
• All products are tested in 3rd-party laboratories for potency and purity

Cons:

• This is a CBD isolate — you don’t get the synergy from other cannabinoids
• Most people don’t need such high doses of CBD

My Thoughts on Hemp Bombs:

Hemp Bombs is a great choice for people looking for high-quality CBD isolate and those who’d like to try different CBD formats. The company specializes in making isolate-based CBD products.

Their product lineup features traditional CBD options such as oil, capsules, vapes, and edibles, as well as less common products like CBD-infused beard lotion, tattoo ointment, or syrup.

Hemp Bombs gives you more affordable CBD extracts at the cost of some efficacy. Since this is 99% pure isolate, their products don’t offer synergy from other cannabinoids. Thus, the effective dosage may be higher than with full-spectrum CBD.

Nevertheless, if you’re allergic to other ingredients than CBD in hemp products, or you must take periodic drug tests at work and can’t get a false positive for THC, this is the best company to buy isolate from.

5. CBDistillery

Pros:

• CBDistillery uses Colorado-grown hemp to make their extracts
• The company’s products are available as full-spectrum CBD or isolate
• Wide product range
• Each batch of product has been tested in a 3rd-party lab for quality
• Their CBD oil is very affordable

Cons:

• Their hemp isn’t organic
• No flavored options available

My Thoughts on CBDistillery:

CBDistillery sells a wide range of CBD products, including CBD oil, capsules, and gummies — available as full-spectrum CBD or isolate (ZERO THC).

The company also has a very impressive potency range for their CBD oil, offering from 250–5000mg of CBD per bottle. Their products are good for people looking to buy inexpensive CBD oil without compromising its quality — the 250mg bottle costs only $20.

Although CBDistillery doesn’t use organic hemp in its extracts, the plants come from domestic growers and are processed with supercritical CO2 for maximum purity. On top of that, CBDistillery tests all its products in a certified laboratory for potency and potency, and safety.

6. NuLeaf Naturals

Pros:

• The company uses organic hemp to make CBD oil
• These are full-spectrum extracts — you get the synergy from other cannabinoids
• NuLeaf products are tested for potency and safety in a 3rd-party lab
• Available in 5 different sizes — you can get yourself supplied for months to come
• Up to 4850mg of CBD per bottle

Cons:

• NuLeaf sells only CBD oil for humans and pets
• No flavored options available
• Slightly more expensive than the market’s average

My Thoughts on NuLeaf Naturals:

NuLeaf Naturals has been selling whole-plant hemp extracts for over 5 years now. The company was established by entrepreneurs passionate about the benefits of plant-based supplements.

The company specializes in making clean, potent extracts for both humans and pets. NuLeaf sources its hemp from Colorado farmers who use organic practices for growing their plants.

NuLeaf Naturals may not offer the widest product range out there, but they make up for it with a multitude of different sizes to choose from. Their high-grade full-spectrum CBD oil is available from 240mg to 4500mg per bottle.

Choosing the largest option will get you supplied for months. However, the potency remains the same regardless of the size — offering 2.4 mg of CBD per drop.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood sugar levels are too high. Blood sugar (glucose) is your primary source of energy and is sourced from the food you eat.

Insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas, helps transport glucose from food into your cells to be used for energy.

With chronically high blood sugar levels, your body can’t produce enough insulin to manage them efficiently, which leads to storing more glucose in the bloodstream. This, in turn, can trigger an array of health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, clogged arteries, mood swings, depression, and more.

Milder cases of diabetes are called “a touch of sugar” or “borderline diabetes,” but that doesn’t mean they should be neglected. In fact, every case of diabetes is serious.

Different Types of Diabetes

The two most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. There’s also gestational diabetes that can affect pregnant women.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that happens when your body doesn’t make insulin. This is caused by the immune system attacking and destroying the cells in your pancreas that are responsible for insulin production. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed very early — mostly in children — although it can also appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes have to rely on insulin injections to stay alive.

Type 2 Diabetes

If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or have problems using it to manage blood glucose levels. You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even if you’re a child. However, this type of diabetes affects middle-aged and older adults — it’s also the most common form of this disease.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes may develop in some women when they’re pregnant. Usually, this type of diabetes disappears once the baby is born. However, if you’ve had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, you’re more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Consequences of Neglected Diabetes

As mentioned, diabetes happens when you have notoriously high blood glucose levels. It can lead to several serious problems, including:

• Dental disease
• Eye problems
• Foot problems (restless leg syndrome)
• Heart disease
• Stroke

If you have type 2 diabetes, you can take specific steps to stop its development. Maintaining an active lifestyle, cutting down on sugars (and carbohydrates in general) while increasing the intake of healthy fatty acids, as well as reducing the amount of stress in your life can make a significant improvement in your health. The same conditions apply for preventing diabetes

Supplementation is part of everyday nutrition nowadays. We use supplements to level up nutritional deficiencies and bolster our immunity. As it turns out, supplementation with CBD oil may help you relieve symptoms of diabetes and also address the roots of the problem, including strengthening your immune system.

What Are the Effects of CBD on Diabetes?

CBD and diabetes can go hand in hand. Depending on the type of diabetes you have, CBD can potentially help mitigate or lessen some of the symptoms that make this disease particularly problematic to live with. Studies suggest that cannabinoids can also be used as diabetes prevention agents.

Here are just a few possible benefits of taking CBD oil for diabetes, both type 1 and type 2.

Related: Best CBD Gummies for Diabetes

1. Better Regulation of Blood Sugar Levels

Diabetes is a prevalent disease among obese people. The reason for this is due to how diabetes gets triggered in the first place.

When your body receives sugar, the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and enables the absorption of glucose into the cells to use for energy.

Excess body fat causes the blood cells to be less sensitive to insulin. This compromises the body’s ability to absorb sugar and is officially referred to as insulin resistance.

When your body starts to store sugar instead of using it for energy, it’s a beeline to gaining extra pounds.

Therefore, if you want to prevent diabetes or reduce its symptoms, you must maintain a healthy weight.

According to recent studies, people who frequently use cannabis have a smaller waist circumference compared to non-users. They also have lower insulin resistance, which contributes to a speedier metabolism. Regulating blood sugar in turn would make CBD an effective treatment for lowering cholesterol.

The reason for this may be the CBD’s ability to trigger the “fat browning” process. Fat browning turns the white fat cells — the ones you store as excess body fat — into brown cells, which can be easily broken down and used for energy during activity and exercise.

While CBD isn’t an overnight fix to your problems with weight, adding this compound to exercising and a healthy diet may support these activities to make the whole process more effective.

2. Lower Insulin Resistance

When the cells in the human body turn down insulin, they are unable to facilitate glucose transportation to cell tissues.

It can result in a glucose buildup in the body, which leads to increased blood sugar levels. Ideally, the cells should be able to accept the insulin to use them for energy — in type 2 diabetes, the body refuses to do this.

Some research indicates that CBD could be the key to improving the body’s efficiency in absorbing and using insulin.

A 2013 study published in the American Journal of Medicine featuring a sample of 4,657 adults (both men and women) found that cannabis users have a 16% faster insulin level and 17% lower insulin resistance level compared to non-users.

3. Reduced Inflammation of Pancreas

CBD produces anti-inflammatory effects that may help to mitigate some of the symptoms of diabetes — especially when it comes to delaying the onset of type 1 diabetes.

Experts argue that this disease develops after chronic inflammation of the cells in the pancreas responsible for insulin production.

Inflamed pancreas cells become damaged to the point they almost can’t produce insulin — it’s a signal that you’re developing type 1 diabetes.

Supplementing yourself with CBD may help you delay this process, especially among those who are more likely to suffer from the condition due to lifestyle factors or genetic predisposition.

4. Better Blood Circulation

Both sufferers of type 1 and type 2 diabetes should be particularly watchful when it comes to their blood pressure levels. The disease, along with obesity, often leads to hypertension.

This entails the risk of kidney disease, and in more severe cases, can result in blindness.

So how can you maintain healthy blood pressure with CBD oil?

Research shows that CBD dilates the blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow. This ensures better control of blood pressure. Scientists also suggest that over time, cannabinoids can help reduce blood pressure in healthy people, reducing the chances of developing hypertension.

CBD Oil Dosage for Diabetes

Frankly speaking, there aren’t definitive dosage guidelines when it comes to dosing CBD. The FDA doesn’t even have an official serving size for cannabidiol.

That’s because too many factors come into play when it comes to estimating the effective dose — it depends on your body weight, metabolism, lifestyle choices, the potency of your product, and whether or not you have used CBD oil before.

To begin with, I recommend choosing low dosages and then assessing the effects and adjusting the dosage as necessary.

Don’t worry. There are no known cases of CBD overdose. When you take too much CBD at a time, you may experience mild side effects such as dry mouth, dry eyes, or a drop in blood pressure to the point where you might feel sleepy and dizzy.

The majority of CBD oil users never take more than 25mg of CBD daily. Those with mild conditions take 40mg to 50mg of CBD a day. Severe cases call for taking 100mg to 150mg of CBD daily (up to 400 mg in epilepsy patients)

Final Thoughts on Finding the Best CBD Oil for Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease, and so are its complications. If you fail to take control of your blood sugar, you can end up with severe health consequences.

Numerous studies suggest that CBD has the potential to relieve and even lessen the symptoms of diabetes. Not only that, but CBD can also delay the onset of type 1, and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.

If you’re considering taking CBD oil to manage diabetes, speak to your doctor about your plans and be sure to discuss the CBD oil dosage for your symptoms. Remember that CBD may need some time to take effect, so stay patient and monitor the effects.

References:

1. Parray, H.A., Yun, J.W. (2016) Cannabidiol Promotes Browning in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 416(1–2), 131–139.
2. Penner, E.A., Buettner, H., Mittleman, M.A. (2013). The Impact of Marijuana Use on Glucose, Insulin, and Insulin Resistance Among US Adults. The Americal Journal of Medicine, 126(7), 583–589.
3. Lehmann, C., Fisher, N.B., Tugwell, B., Szczesniak, A., Kelly, M., Zhou, J. (2016) Experimental Cannabidiol Treatment Reduces Early Pancreatic Inflammation in Type 1 Diabetes.
4. Pacher, P., Bátkai, S., & Kunos, G. (2005). Cardiovascular Pharmacology of Cannabinoids. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, (168), 599–625.
5. Jadoon, K. A., Tan, G. D., & O’Sullivan, S. E. (2017). A single dose of cannabidiol reduces blood pressure in healthy volunteers in a randomized crossover study. JCI insight, 2(12), e93760.