Blood glucose

ScientificConcept

Blood sugar levels that experienced a profound metabolic reset after psychedelic therapy.


First Mentioned

3/29/2026, 12:11:08 AM

Last Updated

3/29/2026, 12:16:04 AM

Research Retrieved

3/29/2026, 12:16:04 AM

Summary

Blood glucose, also known as glycemia or blood sugar level, is the concentration of glucose in the blood, serving as a primary energy source for the body's cells through glycolysis. In a 70 kg human, the body maintains approximately four grams of glucose in the blood plasma at all times to ensure metabolic homeostasis. Regulation is primarily managed by the hormone insulin, produced in the pancreas, which facilitates cellular uptake, while excess glucose is stored as glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles. Proper maintenance is critical for brain function, as the brain consumes roughly 60% of blood glucose in fasting individuals. Deviations from normal levels result in hyperglycemia (high) or hypoglycemia (low), with persistent hyperglycemia being the hallmark of diabetes mellitus. In the context of modern longevity research, individuals like Bryan Johnson have monitored blood glucose shifts as part of experimental protocols involving compounds like 5-MeO-DMT and metabolic interventions.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Alternative Names

    Blood sugar level, Glycemia

  • Prediabetes Range

    100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL (fasting)

  • Diabetes Threshold

    Greater than 125 mg/dL (fasting) or 200 mg/dL (random venous)

  • Normal HbA1c Range

    3.5% to 5.6% (15 to 42 mmol/mol)

  • Normal Fasting Range

    4.4 to 6.1 mmol/L (79 to 110 mg/dL)

  • Brain Consumption Rate

    Approximately 60% of blood glucose in fasting, sedentary individuals

  • Hypoglycemia Threshold

    Lower than 70 mg/dL

  • Average Mass in 70kg Human

    4 grams in blood plasma

  • Primary Measurement Enzymes

    Glucose oxidase and hexokinase

Timeline
  • Blood glucose levels are typically at their lowest point before the first meal. (Source: Wikipedia)

    Daily (Morning)

  • Glucose levels rise for one to two hours following a meal. (Source: Wikipedia)

    Daily (Post-Prandial)

  • Average blood glucose is reflected in the HbA1c test, based on the lifespan of red blood cells. (Source: NCBI StatPearls)

    Every 120 Days

  • Bryan Johnson reports positive shifts in blood glucose levels following longevity protocols including 5-MeO-DMT and microbiome optimization. (Source: Document ee8d91a3-7a9e-4ab7-a219-26100b6be97d)

    2024-01-01

Blood sugar level

The blood sugar level, blood sugar concentration, blood glucose level, or glycemia is the measure of glucose concentrated in the blood. The body tightly regulates blood glucose levels as a part of metabolic homeostasis. For a 70 kg (154 lb) human, approximately four grams of dissolved glucose (also called "blood glucose") is maintained in the blood plasma at all times. Glucose that is not circulating in the blood is stored in skeletal muscle and liver cells in the form of glycogen; in fasting individuals, blood glucose is maintained at a constant level by releasing just enough glucose from these glycogen stores in the liver and skeletal muscle in order to maintain homeostasis. Glucose can be transported from the intestines or liver to other tissues in the body via the bloodstream. Cellular glucose uptake is primarily regulated by insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. Once inside the cell, the glucose can now act as an energy source as it undergoes the process of glycolysis. In humans, properly maintained glucose levels are necessary for normal function in a number of tissues, including the human brain, which consumes approximately 60% of blood glucose in fasting, sedentary individuals. A persistent elevation in blood glucose leads to glucose toxicity, which contributes to cell dysfunction and the pathology grouped together as complications of diabetes. Glucose levels are usually lowest in the morning, before the first meal of the day, and rise after meals for an hour or two by a few millimoles per litre. Abnormal persistently high glycemia is referred to as hyperglycemia; low levels are referred to as hypoglycemia. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by persistent hyperglycemia from a variety of causes, and it is the most prominent disease related to the failure of blood sugar regulation. Diabetes mellitus is also characterized by frequent episodes of low sugar, or hypoglycemia. There are different methods of testing and measuring blood sugar levels. Drinking alcohol causes an initial surge in blood sugar and later tends to cause levels to fall. Also, certain drugs can increase or decrease glucose levels.

Web Search Results
  • Blood Glucose | Blood Sugar | Diabetes

    Hypoglycemia, also called low blood glucose, happens when your blood glucose level drops below what is healthy for you. For many people with diabetes, this means a blood glucose reading lower than 70 mg/dL. Your number might be different, so check with your health care team to find out what blood glucose level is low for you. Symptoms of low blood glucose tend to come on quickly. The symptoms can be different for everyone, but they may include: Shaking Sweating Nervousness or anxiety Irritability or confusion Dizziness Hunger [...] ### What is diabetes? Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose levels are too high. When you have diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin, can't use it as well as it should, or both. Too much glucose stays in your blood and doesn't reach your cells. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause serious health problems (diabetes complications). So if you have diabetes, it's important to keep your blood glucose levels within your target range. ### What are blood glucose targets? If you have diabetes, your blood glucose target is the range you try to reach as much as possible. The typical targets are: Before a meal: 80 to 130 mg/dL Two hours after the start of a meal: Less than 180 mg/dL [...] Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is another way to check your glucose levels. Most CGM systems use a tiny sensor that is inserted under your skin. The sensor measures your glucose level every few minutes. It can show changes in your glucose level throughout the day and night. A CGM system is especially useful for people who take insulin and have problems with low blood glucose. Your provider will also check your blood glucose with a blood test called an A1C. It checks your average blood glucose level over the past three months. People with diabetes usually have an A1C test at least twice a year. But you may need the test more often if you aren't meeting your diabetes treatment goals. ### What happens if my blood glucose level becomes too high?

  • Blood Glucose Monitoring - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH

    Blood glucose monitoring may support diagnosing and managing the client with impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels may not be recommended for all patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on oral antidiabetic drugs or dietary management alone. However, blood glucose monitoring may be warranted during titration of oral hypoglycemic medications known to cause hypoglycemia, such as sulfonylureas.(#article-18394.r8) ## Diagnostic Tests Capillary Blood Glucose Test A blood drop sample is usually collected from a fingertip prick. [...] The equipment used in capillary blood glucose testing includes a lancet to prick the skin, a glucometer, and test strips. Glucometers have a range of features. Modern "smart" machines require a very small sample of blood (from 0.3 to 1 microL) and have Bluetooth capabilities that synchronize data with paired applications (apps) on smartphones. These machines and apps record data and provide trends in glucose measurements. Further, some apps also offer options to record diet, medications used, and type of physical activity undertaken, which may be helpful to the health care practitioner when managing the care plan for the client with diabetes. [...] A random venous blood glucose of at or above 11.1 mmol/L (≥200 mg/dL) or a fasting blood glucose at or above 7 mmol/L (≥126 mg/dL) on two or more separate occasions indicates the client is likely to have diabetes mellitus. Other Tests HbA1c: Glucose molecules tend to attach to hemoglobin. This test interprets the percentage of glucose molecules that combine with hemoglobin to form glycated hemoglobin. Once glucose molecules combine with the hemoglobin, the glycated hemoglobin remains for the life of the red blood cell, which is, on average and in health, approximately 120 days. Therefore, analyses of the red blood cell and its glycated hemoglobin reveal the average blood glucose levels in the client over that time frame. Normal HbA1c: 3.5% to 5.6% or 15 to 42 mmol/mol.

  • Blood sugar level - Wikipedia

    For a 70 kg (154 lb) human, approximately four grams of dissolved glucose (also called "blood glucose") is maintained in the blood plasma at all times. Glucose that is not circulating in the blood is stored in skeletal muscle and liver cells in the form of glycogen; in fasting individuals, blood glucose is maintained at a constant level by releasing just enough glucose from these glycogen stores in the liver and skeletal muscle in order to maintain homeostasis. Glucose can be transported from the intestines or liver to other tissues in the body via the bloodstream. Cellular glucose uptake is primarily regulated by insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. Once inside the cell, the glucose can now act as an energy source as it undergoes the process of glycolysis. [...] Two major methods have been used to measure glucose. The first, still in use in some places, is a chemical method exploiting the nonspecific reducing property of glucose in a reaction with an indicator substance that changes color when reduced. Since other blood compounds also have reducing properties (e.g., urea, which can be abnormally high in uremic patients), this technique can produce erroneous readings in some situations (5–15 mg/dL has been reported). The more recent technique, using enzymes specific to glucose, is less susceptible to this kind of error. The two most common employed enzymes are glucose oxidase and hexokinase. Average blood glucose concentrations can also be measured. This method measures the level of glycated hemoglobin, which is representative of the average blood [...] Normal value ranges may vary slightly between laboratories. Glucose homeostasis, when operating normally, restores the blood sugar level to a narrow range of about 4.4 to 6.1 mmol/L (79 to 110 mg/dL) (as measured by a fasting blood glucose test). The global mean fasting plasma blood glucose level in humans is about 5.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dL); however, this level fluctuates throughout the day. Blood sugar levels for those without diabetes and who are not fasting is usually below 6.9 mmol/L (125 mg/dL).

  • Blood Glucose and Insulin

    ## The basics of high blood glucose Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. When you eat, your body breaks food down into glucose and sends it into the blood. Insulin then helps move the glucose from the blood into your cells. When glucose enters your cells, it is either used as fuel for energy right away or stored for later use. In a person with diabetes, there is a problem with insulin. But, not everyone with diabetes has the same problem. There are different types of diabetes—type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. If you have diabetes—type 1, type 2 or gestational—your body either doesn't make enough insulin, can't use the insulin well, or both. [...] Learn more about blood glucose Learn more about insulin ## So, what affects my blood glucose levels? It is important to understand what can make your blood glucose rise or fall, so that you can take steps to stay on target. Things that can make blood glucose rise include: Things that can make blood glucose fall include: Find out about tests for diabetes ADA ### Give Today and Change lives! With your support, the American Diabetes Association® can continue our lifesaving work to make breakthroughs in research and provide people with the resources they need to fight diabetes. ADA Logo 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900 Arlington, VA 22202 P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 Center for Information Monday to Friday 9:00 AM–5:30 PM ET [...] Food Bowl Milk carrot apple Utensils checklist Take the 60-second test to find out your risk Book Location Find help and resources in your zip code Money hand Choose between a one-time donation or recurring monthly gifts. Handshake Reach out and get involved in programs and events near you. Transportation We make vehicle donations easy so you can help fuel our fight, hassle-free. People Recipients Book ## Breadcrumb # Blood Glucose and Insulin Understanding how glucose and insulin work in your body is the foundation for knowing how diabetes works. By knowing what can affect your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, you can better manage it. ## The basics of high blood glucose

  • Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar): Symptoms & Treatment

    Severe hyperglycemia can also lead to an acute (sudden and severe) life-threatening complication called diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA), especially in people with diabetes who take insulin or people with undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes. This requires immediate medical treatment. #### What blood sugar level is hyperglycemia? For people undiagnosed with diabetes, hyperglycemia is blood glucose greater than 125 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) while fasting (not eating for at least eight hours). A person has prediabetes if their fasting blood glucose is 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL. [...] A person with a fasting blood glucose greater than 125 mg/dL on more than one occasion usually receives a diabetes diagnosis — typically Type 2 diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes usually have very high blood sugar (above 250 mg/dL) upon diagnosis. For a person with diabetes, hyperglycemia is usually considered to be a blood glucose level greater than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after eating. But this can vary depending on what your target blood sugar goals are. Advertisement #### What is blood sugar? Glucose (sugar) mainly comes from carbohydrates in the food and drinks you consume. It’s your body’s main source of energy. Your blood carries glucose to all of your body’s cells to use for energy. [...] If you don’t have diabetes, several bodily processes naturally help keep your blood glucose in a healthy range. Insulin, a hormone your pancreas makes, is the most significant contributor to maintaining healthy blood sugar. High blood sugar most often happens due to a lack of insulin or insulin resistance. This leads to diabetes. People who have diabetes must use medication, like oral diabetes medications or synthetic insulin, and/or lifestyle changes to help keep their blood sugar levels in range. ### How common is hyperglycemia? Hyperglycemia and diabetes are very common — about 1 in 10 people in the United States has diabetes. Hyperglycemia episodes are also very common in people with diabetes. ## Symptoms and Causes