Gone are those days when people see marijuana users as fat who live for junk food. Many of them are far from obese, lazy, and unhealthy. In fact, many athletes swear it helps them recover from rough workouts, improve their sleep, and reduce their pain.
It’s now general knowledge that cannabis has several health benefits, including reducing anxiety and stress. But more and more users claim it causes them to lose weight. How could this be possible when weed has been known to induce appetite after ingesting it?
CBD: Marijuana’s Compound with Potential Weight Loss Effect
CBD (short for cannabidiol) is one of over one hundred cannabinoids found in marijuana. Next to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it’s the second most abundant cannabinoid, making up 40% of the plant extract. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t make you high.
Instead, it affects you in different ways, such as reducing pain, inflammation, and anxiety. It also helps treat depression symptoms. That’s why it’s no wonder that you can now find a wide range of CBD products in the market, such as these Edmond cannabis products.
How CBD Helps Promote Weight Loss
1. May Increase Metabolism and Reduce Food Intake
Preliminary research shows how CBD affects metabolism, which could promote weight loss. A Korean study about CBD found that it can help metabolize compounds absorbed from food during digestion by prompting CB1 and CB2.
In a two-week rat study, CBD was injected into rats daily at 1.1 and 2.3 mg/pound of body weight. Both doses resulted in body weight reductions, with the higher dose having the most notable effects. Another study showed evidence of CBD leading to a significant decrease in food intake compared to other cannabinoids.
2. Cannabis Is Associated with Lower Body Weight
While marijuana is often associated with increased food intake, those who consume it tend to weigh less than those who don’t. A survey of more than 50,000 people found an obese rate of 14-17% among those who use cannabis at least three days per week. On the other hand, a higher obesity rate at 22-25% was found in those who didn’t consume marijuana in the past 12 months.
That being said, researchers now believe that cannabinoids in general, including CBD, impact metabolism, appetite, and other weight-related body functions. Fortunately, you can now discreetly consume CBD through CBD edibles, including gummies, snacks, lollipops, etc. Make sure to review your state’s laws about cannabis consumption and buy only from licensed and reliable dispensaries.
3. CBD May Promote “Browning” of Fat Cells
There are two types of body fat called white and brown. White fat or adipose tissues store energy in fat droplets, which accumulate in the body. Excessive white fat around the midsection increases the risks of diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases.
Whereas brown fat initiates heat by burning calories. People with a healthy weight are most likely to have more brown fat than overweight people. The good news is, you can convert your white fat to brown fat by getting enough sleep and more exposure to cold temperatures.
Interestingly, a test-tube study showed that CBD could turn white fat cells into brown fat. Also, it improved the expression of specific genes and proteins, which promote brown fat.
4. It May Cause People to Drink Less
Some experts say that young people who use cannabis may consume less alcohol than those who don’t. It means that they’re not taking in calories from alcoholic drinks that can contribute to lower BMIs.
Conclusion
Though initial studies found evidence of the weight loss benefits of cannabis, using it doesn’t result in a sudden weight loss. Further research is also needed to show a direct correlation between the two. Plus, consuming too much cannabis has risks, especially if you smoke it.
However, remember that being a responsible marijuana user provides you with many health benefits. On top of these, ensure to buy your supplies from reputable sellers, such as Mango Cannabis.
