Smoking cannabis may prevent the development of diabetes, one of the most rapidly rising chronic disorders in the world.
If the link is proved, it could lead to the development of treatments
based on the active ingredient of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),
without its intoxicating effects.
Researchers have found that
regular users of the drug had lower levels of the hormone insulin after
fasting – a signal that they are protected against diabetes. They also
had reduced insulin resistance. Cannabis is widely smoked in the United
States with over 17 million current users of whom more than four
million smoke it on a daily basis. In the UK latest figures show 2.3
million people used cannabis in the last year, but the numbers have
declined in the last decade.
Two US states have recently legalised
its recreational use and 19 others have legalised it for medical
purposes by patients with one of several conditions including multiple
sclerosis and cancer. THC has already been approved to treat the side
effects of chemotherapy, nausea in cancer patients, anorexia associated
with AIDS and other conditions.
The study involved almost 5,000
patients who answered a questionnaire about their drug use and were part
of the National Health and Nutrition Survey between 2005 and 2010. The
results showed almost 2,000 had used cannabis at some point in their
lives and more than one in 10 (579) were current users. Only those who
had used cannabis within the past month showed evidence of protection
against diabetes, suggesting that the effects wear off in time. Current
users of the drug had 16 per cent lower fasting insulin than those who
had never used the drug.
Link to full story here.
4 comments:
Interesting read, will it come on prescription?
Jeff
What about red wine on prescription? and they can keep the cannabis.
Eddie
A cool glass of Peroni maybe? Have to restrict it as it can raise my bs levels
Josh
Peroni a 1 pint per week treat for me.Just as well it sure ain't cheap at my pub.
Eddie
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