Cannabis smokers have less risk of diabetes

This is not an encouragement to smoke, immediately specify the authors of the University of Los Angeles. Their study has indeed confirmed a lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes among cannabis users. These results call for further possible effects of cannabis compounds on diabetes just been published in the February 28 edition of the BMJ Open.


The study examined data on 10,896 adult participants in the study National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988-1994), led by the U.S. CDC. Participants were divided into 4 groups, non-users of cannabis: 61.0%, cannabis users lately: 30.7%, moderate (1-4 times / month): 5.0% and "intensive" (more than 5 times / month): 3.3%. Data on BMI, smoking, alcohol, serum cholesterol level, LDL, triglycerides, serum vitamin D, A1C, fasting plasma glucose and serum C-reactive were found. The analysis was limited to adults aged 20-59 years. Subjects with missing data for some variables were excluded, and the final number of subjects was 8,127 adults.

Cannabis users showed a lower prevalence of diabetes vs. non-users: OR: 0.42, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.55.

- The prevalence of elevated CRP (> 0.5 mg / dl) was significantly higher among non-cannabis users (18.9%) or ex-users (12.7%) or moderate drinkers (15 , 8%) vs. intensive consumption: 9.2%.

- After adjusting for all sociology-demographic factors, health and laboratory measurements, the reduced risk of diabetes among cannabis users is significant (adjusted OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.55).

While the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing, the reduction of any factor involved or associated, such as systemic inflammation, is essential. Bio active components of cannabis, cannabinoids, whose active ingredient is THC (delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol), and endocannabinoids, a group of neuromodulators lipids have immunomodulatory effects and anti-inflammatory properties that deserve to be better studied.

I’d like to specify again these results are not an encouragement to use cannabis.

Posted in: Diabetes