Last updated: October 2026
CBD hasn’t been shown to help diabetes. In the only placebo-controlled trial in type 2 diabetes, 62 people took CBD, THCV or placebo for 13 weeks: CBD didn’t improve blood sugar control compared with placebo, while THCV, a different cannabinoid that’s controlled in the UK, lowered fasting glucose. CBD isn’t a treatment for diabetes and shouldn’t replace prescribed medicines.
Below: what the trial found, CBD with diabetes medicines, nerve pain, and what helps manage diabetes.
Does CBD help diabetes? The research
| Study | What it found |
|---|---|
| Type 2 diabetes trial, 2016 (62 people, 13 weeks) | CBD (100mg twice daily) didn’t improve blood sugar control compared with placebo; THCV lowered fasting glucose; both were well tolerated |
| Lab and animal studies | Effects on inflammation and metabolism in animals; not confirmed in people |
THCV is a controlled drug in the UK, so its results don’t apply to CBD products. See what is THCV? and CBD for weight loss.
CBD with diabetes medicines
- Check with your diabetes team or pharmacist before taking CBD, especially if you take several medicines.
- CBD can affect how some medicines are processed by the liver. See CBD and medication.
- Monitor blood sugar as usual if you start any new supplement, and never stop or change diabetes medicines without advice.
- Watch for sugary carriers in some CBD gummies and edibles.
CBD and diabetic nerve pain
Painful nerve damage is a common complication of diabetes. A small 2020 trial of CBD oil on the skin found less sharp and intense pain in people with nerve pain in the legs, but it was small and short. NICE recommends specific prescribed medicines for diabetic nerve pain. See CBD for pain.
What helps manage diabetes
- Medicines prescribed by your GP or diabetes team
- A healthy diet and, for many people with type 2 diabetes, weight loss
- Regular physical activity
- Regular checks of HbA1c, feet, eyes and kidneys
- Diabetes education courses, offered free on the NHS
The FSA’s 10mg a day figure for CBD is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
FAQs
Does CBD lower blood sugar?
Not in the only placebo-controlled trial in type 2 diabetes. A different cannabinoid, THCV, did lower fasting glucose, but it’s controlled in the UK.
Is CBD safe for diabetics?
CBD was well tolerated in the diabetes trial, but check with your diabetes team or pharmacist first, as it can interact with some medicines.
Can I take CBD with metformin?
No major interaction is known, but ask your pharmacist, especially if you take other medicines too.
Does CBD help diabetic neuropathy?
One small trial of CBD oil on the skin found less nerve pain, but evidence is limited. NICE recommends specific prescribed medicines.
Sources
- Jadoon KA et al. Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabivarin on glycemic and lipid parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 2016.
- Xu DH et al. Topical cannabidiol oil in peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. Curr Pharm Biotechnol, 2020.
- NHS. Type 2 diabetes.
