The risk of quadruple diabetes with the use of a popular natural remedy, the study finds
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According to a new study, adults who consume cannabis have almost four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who do not.
The researchers led by Dr. Ibrahim Kamel of the Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts analyzed medical records of 54 medical care organizations in the United States and Europe using the Trinetx research network.
They compared about 96,800 people with cannabis -related diagnoses, from casual users to those with dependency, with more than 4.16 million people who did not have a record of use of drugs or chronic diseases.
The diabetes study reveals the diagnostic gap that affects millions of people
For a period of five years, 2.2% of cannabis users developed type 2 diabetes, compared to only 0.6% of non -users.
Even after adjusting for other health risks, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease and alcohol or cocaine consumption, marijuana users still faced greater risk.
For five years, the number of cannabis users developed type 2 diabetes compared to the control group. (Istock)
Experts say that a possible explanation is that marijuana affects appetite, metabolism and insulin resistance. Cannabis consumption is often associated with bad eating habits, which can contribute to the increase in blood sugar levels over time.
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Given the growing legalization of marijuana, it is often considered an alternative to alcohol or tobacco, but research suggests that their long -term risks could be more serious than many believe.
“As cannabis becomes more widely available and socially accepted and legalized in several jurisdictions, it is essential to understand its potential health risks,” Kamel said in a press release.
Researchers say that doctors should talk to patients about cannabis consumption so that they can understand the possible need for metabolic monitoring. (Istock)
The study has some limitations, the researchers recognized. Its design is retrospective, which means that it looked back in patient records instead of tracking new cases over time. That makes it difficult to prove that marijuana causes diabetes directly.
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In addition, someone who uses it occasionally may not face the same risks as someone who consumes it daily.
As the researchers pointed out, the study has the bias potential, since it depended on people to self -form their use of cannabis, even in places where it was illegal, and did not measure exactly how much they used.
A possible explanation of the results are the effects of marijuana on appetite, metabolism and insulin resistance. (Istock)
It is possible that doctors soon need to “talk routinely with patients about cannabis consumption so that they can understand their general risk of diabetes and their possible need for metabolic monitoring,” according to Kamel.
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“These new views of reliable evidence of the real world highlight the importance of integrating awareness of the risk of diabetes in the treatment and advice of substance use disorder,” he added.
News Digital communicated with cannabis industry organizations that requested comments.
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a variety of stories issues that include food and drink, travel and health.