Medical Cannabis for Diabetic Neuropathy - Nerve Pain

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most burdensome complications of diabetes. Burning, stabbing pain, tingling and numb feet can leave no peace by day or night. Neuropathic pain is also exceptionally hard to treat - and this is exactly where medical cannabis is sometimes considered as support.

Let us say it at once: this is help in easing symptoms, not a way to treat the diabetes itself.

Neuropathic pain arises from nerve damage rather than tissue injury, so it responds poorly to ordinary painkillers. High sugar levels gradually destroy small nerve fibres, most often in the feet and hands, producing the characteristic burning and tingling.

Standard treatment is sometimes only partly effective or weighs you down with side effects - hence the search for other paths.

Neuropathic pain is among the types of pain where cannabis performs relatively well in studies. In some patients medical cannabis reduces the intensity of burning and stabbing and improves sleep, which this pain often breaks up.

That does not mean it will work the same for everyone. The effect depends on the product profile and the dose the doctor sets - we describe this in our article on medical cannabis dosing.

Medical cannabis eases pain but does not affect the cause - that is, blood sugar control. Without good diabetes control the neuropathy will progress.

Treat cannabis therapy as symptomatic support alongside diabetes care, diet and medication, not instead of them.

This is a conversation mainly for people with diagnosed neuropathy whose pain is chronic and wearing despite current treatment. It is best to come to the consultation with your diabetes records and a list of medications.

If you also struggle with pain of a different origin, see our article medical cannabis for chronic pain or check how to get a prescription.