DRC & Research News

This page shares the latest news in T1D research and DRC’s community.

Get the most recent diabetes research news, delivered straight to your inbox

Join Us
Male medicine doctor hand holding in hand medical marijuana

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Risk May Increase with Cannabis Use

Legalization of recreational and medicinal cannabis use has increased throughout the United States, but that does not mean that it does not come with risks. While cannabis can have positive effects for certain conditions, it may also be dangerous for others. A recent study found that using cannabis may double the risk of individuals with type 1 diabetes of developing diabetic ketoacidosis.

In a small, self-reported study of 450 individuals in Colorado with type 1 diabetes, approximately 30% reported using cannabis within the past 12 months. Of that group, around 40% smoked, used edibles, or vaped at least four times per week. The study found that while 8.2% of non-users had been hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis within the last year, this jumped to more than 20% for cannabis users. Furthermore, individuals with type 1 diabetes who used cannabis also had higher average HbA1c levels than non-users. Researchers believe the increased risk may come from the fact that “cannabinoids alter gut motility and cause hyperemesis.”

However, there is still more research necessary to further explore this risk as the study had several limitations. Many of the participants who reported using cannabis were younger with lower income and lower use of diabetes technology such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). In addition, access to healthcare was not taken into consideration. Furthermore, some participants may have had underlying conditions that also impacted their risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis.

Regardless, this study opens doors for more in-depth research regarding the effects of cannabis use on type 1 diabetes. It is important to understand how this drug may impact health, treatment, and quality of life.

The Diabetes Research Connection (DRC), though not involved with this study, strives to support novel research studies regarding all aspects of type 1 diabetes by providing essential funding to early career scientists. This is made possible by donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and 100% of research funds go directly to the scientists. To learn more about current projects and how to help, visit http://diabetesresearchconnection.org.

Learn More +

OUR PROJECTS

See our approved research projects and campaigns.

Role of the integrated stress response in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis
In individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the insulin-producing beta cells are spontaneously destroyed by their own immune system. The trigger that provokes the immune system to destroy the beta cells is unknown. However, accumulating evidence suggest that signals are perhaps first sent out by the stressed beta cells that eventually attracts the immune cells. Stressed cells adapt different stress mitigation systems as an adaptive response. However, when these adaptive responses go awry, it results in cell death. One of the stress response mechanisms, namely the integrated stress response (ISR) is activated under a variety of stressful stimuli to promote cell survival. However, when ISR is chronically activated, it can be damaging to the cells and can lead to cell death. The role of the ISR in the context of T1D is unknown. Therefore, in this DRC funded study, we propose to study the ISR in the beta cells to determine its role in propagating T1D.
Wearable Skin Fluorescence Imaging Patch for the Detection of Blood Glucose Level on an Engineered Skin Platform
zhang
A Potential Second Cure for T1D by Re-Educating the Patient’s Immune System
L Ferreira
Validating the Hypothesis to Cure T1D by Eliminating the Rejection of Cells From Another Person by Farming Beta Cells From a Patient’s Own Stem Cells
Han Zhu
Taming a Particularly Lethal Category of Cells May Reduce/Eliminate the Onset of T1D
JRDwyer 2022 Lab 1
Can the Inhibition of One Specific Body Gene Prevent Type 1 Diabetes?
Melanie
Is Cholesterol Exacerbating T1D by Reducing the Functionality and Regeneration Ability of Residual Beta Cells?
Regeneration Ability of Residual Beta Cells
A Call to Question… Is T1D Caused by Dysfunctionality of Two Pancreatic Cells (β and α)?
Xin Tong
Novel therapy initiative with potential path to preventing T1D by targeting TWO components of T1D development (autoimmune response and beta-cell survival)
flavia pecanha