In most modern societies, the use of marijuana is tied to substance abuse. It was only later determined that this substance has other benefits and actually has positive health effects to the human body. However, the negative effects of marijuana use have been documented. Prolonged and unregulated usage of marijuana is associated with psychological breakdowns and mental illness. It is also believed that smoking marijuana can lead to memory loss as well as depression.
Regulated marijuana use for diabetes-related issues
Recent studies have revealed a new dimension in the regulated use of marijuana. Evidently, marijuana can help control blood sugar and maintain a low body mass index. It was also determined that pot users have a slightly higher count of good cholesterol in their body than those who do not use it.
Studies showed that marijuana users have high metabolism and are able to break down carbohydrates at a faster rate than those of non-users. According to Murray Mittleman, the Harvard Medical School associate professor behind the study, people using marijuana have lower fasting insulin levels. This means that the body is better able to sustain and maintain proper insulin levels thus lowering the risk of acquiring diabetes mellitus.
Scope, limitations, and confounding factors
Researchers have reported that the number of people subjected to the blood tests and surveys was hardly enough for conclusive results. The population of the study is not yet sufficient to determine that the positive effects of marijuana are inherent and stable. Researchers also stated that there are others existing factors that might actually be related to weight loss. However, the findings derived from the studies conducted still gives credence to the beneficial usage of marijuana in persons with diabetes or at risk for developing diabetes.
The study included more than 4,600 men and women and was conducted from 2005 up to 2010. Less than half of the study subjects actually smoked marijuana once in their lives while 12% of the total number of participants is currently smoking pot. The results were adjusted by adding other factors like age, wealth, sex, and other activities in order to get the most accurate results.
Marijuana and tobacco link
Dr. Stephen Sidney, who also conducted studies regarding marijuana, wonders if the use of tobacco might also be associated with weight loss. According to Dr. Sidney, marijuana users are most likely to be avid tobacco smokers at the same time. Dr. Theodore Friedman from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles also raised a valid question about the correlation between marijuana and tobacco usage. According to Dr. Friedmen, it would be hard to prove that both or only marijuana usage actually influenced the observed results since smoking tobacco was not stricken out of the equation. Dr. Friedman also made it clear that he was not fully in favor of using marijuana to prevent diabetes.
Further research is still required
The findings regarding the good effects of marijuana, though inconclusive are not totally wasted. According to Prof. Mittleman, it is still early to determine whether or not marijuana can actually be used to control blood sugar and insulin levels. He also added that further research is still needed in order to properly label marijuana as the new wonder drug for diabetes sufferers.
Photo Credit: Cannabis Plant
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