CBD And Weight Loss

How Does It Affect Metabolism?

Updated on February 2021

THC is known to increase appetite, thereby affecting your metabolism. Does CBD hold better promise? Learn more about how CBD affects metabolism resulting in weight loss.

The effect of THC on your appetite is incredible and it can affect your metabolism causing you to binge eat. This phenomenon is known as munchies pretty much affects your body weight. But THC is just one of several cannabinoids! Besides THC, there are hundreds of cannabinoids in the cannabis plant including CBD, which is psychoactive. CBD also has an effect on your metabolism, in a good way, according to research. Read on to find out more.

Research: CBD and its Effects on Metabolism
According to research, CBD does have an effect on our metabolism. According to Korean Researchers who published a study on the topic in 2016, CBD acts on immature fat cells and has 3 ways of effecting ‘fat browning’. They found that CBD helps stimulate the proteins and genes which play a role in breaking down fat. It also boosts the number and activity of mitochondria thereby helping burn more calories. Besides, they also found that CBD reduces the proteins involved in creating new fat cells within the body.

Another study conducted at the University Of Nebraska College Of Medicine in Omaha by researchers showed that using marijuana results in a smaller waist circumference.

However, according to California-licensed physician and CBD expert Rachna Patel, MD, the positive effects of CBD in weight management were observed only when using CBD for treating other conditions as a side effect. Dr. Patel also spoke of animal studies which have shown an increase in metabolism linked to CBD consumption.

Physicians who have prescribed CBD for weight management have seen it as a side effect of treating chronic pain in many patients. The overall ability to increase activity levels could be responsible for this weight loss and increased metabolism.

The Endocannabinoid System and How it Affects Metabolism

Most of us know by now that the endocannabinoid system helps CBD interact with our body.

  • Studies show that the endocannabinoid system is connected to several metabolic functions like transporting nutrients, energy storage, and so on.
  • Cannabis with high strains of THC increases appetite causing increased calorie consumption. Besides, it also stimulates several metabolic areas like the pancreas, skeletal muscles, etc.
  • The ECS has two endogenous cannabinoids called anandamide and 2-AG which interface with CB1 and CB2, receptors found throughout the human body, including the digestive tract.
  • Thus, CBD can assist in metabolism with the help of these two receptors but you should always be careful to ensure that the ECS isn’t overstimulated.
  • The Endocannabinoid Research Group, a prominent research-based group, also states that an overstimulated CB1 receptor can increase the odds of developing metabolic syndrome, which is associated with adverse symptoms like high blood sugar, high BP, excess weight, and more.

Are There Any Weight Gain concerns with CBD?

According to Dr. Patel, purchasing marijuana with high levels of THC off the black market for recreational purposes causes weight gain effects. But the use of CBD oil derived from hemp with trivial THC does not cause an increase in appetite.

However, the bottom line is that more studies are needed before CBD can be strongly advocated for weight management. CBD is safe and harmless with numerous benefits, but its credibility as a weight management supplement needs to be backed by more research. But for now, the future holds promise.

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