CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a popular compound extracted from the cannabis plant. It’s commonly available as an oil extract, but you can also find it in forms like lozenges, sprays, creams, and more.
CBD is known for its potential benefits, such as easing anxiety, providing natural pain relief, and promoting heart and brain health. However, its effects on weight are not well understood.
In this article, we delve into the existing research on CBD and its potential impact on weight.
Understanding CBD
CBD is among the 100-plus compounds known as cannabinoids found in cannabis. It’s the second most prevalent cannabinoid after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and makes up around 40% of the plant’s extract.
Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t cause a high. Instead, it interacts with your body in different ways. It’s believed to activate specific receptors that help reduce pain, anxiety, and inflammation.
CBD also blocks the breakdown of anandamide, often called the “bliss molecule,” in your brain. This leads to longer-lasting anandamide effects, which can alleviate pain and enhance brain function.
Furthermore, CBD regulates the production of cytokines, molecules linked to inflammation, leading to reduced inflammation and pain.
There’s also a suggestion that CBD might aid in managing depression symptoms. Still, due to limited human research, the complete impact of CBD on health remains uncertain.
Can CBD Aid in Weight Loss?
CBD is often suggested to have various health benefits, including potential effects on weight loss. Here are some of the possible ways it might work:
Potential for increased metabolism and reduced food consumption
Initial studies propose that CBD might have a role in lowering food intake and boosting metabolism, potentially contributing to weight loss.
Animal research demonstrates that CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and lymphoid tissue, possibly influencing metabolism and food consumption.
In a study spanning two weeks, rats were given daily injections of CBD at doses ranging from 1.1 to 2.3 mg per pound of body weight. Both doses led to notable decreases in body weight, with the higher dose showing the strongest impact.
It’s important to note that CBD was administered through injections in this study, not orally.
In another study involving rats, CBD resulted in a significant decrease in food intake when compared to other cannabinoids like cannabigerol and cannabinol.
While these findings are encouraging, they mainly come from animal studies. More research involving humans is essential to validate these effects and gain a clearer understanding.
Potential for Inducing ‘Browning’ of Fat Cells
Within your body, two main types of fat exist white fat and brown fat. White fat is the primary form, responsible for energy storage, organ cushioning, and insulation. It’s also linked to chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease when present in excess.
Conversely, brown fat generates heat by burning calories, and individuals with a healthy weight usually possess more brown fat. Activities like exercise, sufficient sleep, and exposure to cold temperatures can transform white fat into brown fat.
Interestingly, CBD might play a role in this process. Research conducted in test tubes has shown that CBD can prompt white fat cells to exhibit characteristics of brown fat. This includes enhancing the expression of genes and proteins associated with brown fat.
However, further studies involving humans are necessary to validate these findings.
Marijuana Use and Lower Body Weight
Despite the common notion that marijuana use increases appetite, individuals who consume marijuana products often weigh less than those who do not.
A review involving over 50,000 people found that the obesity rate was 14–17% among those using cannabis at least three days a week, compared to 22–25% in individuals who hadn’t used marijuana in the past year.
Considering CBD’s presence in marijuana, it’s plausible that CBD contributes to this trend, although the exact mechanism remains uncertain. Researchers believe that cannabinoids, including CBD, could impact factors such as appetite, metabolism, and other weight-related bodily functions.
Can CBD Cause Weight Gain?
While CBD might have a positive impact on appetite and weight loss, it’s also possible that it could lead to weight gain.
Certain studies indicate that CBD can enhance appetite. Changes in appetite are among the most common side effects observed during CBD treatment.
In a study involving 117 parents of children using CBD to manage epilepsy symptoms, about 30% of parents noted a significant increase in their children’s appetite due to CBD oil. However, it’s important to note that these findings can vary.
In a 3-month study involving children with a specific type of epilepsy, Dravet syndrome, administered CBD doses ranging from 11.4 mg to 25 mg per kilogram of body weight were. Some children experienced heightened appetite, while others saw a decrease.
Moreover, a recent review involving 2,409 CBD users revealed that approximately 6.35% reported increased hunger as a side effect.
Understanding CBD’s impact on appetite requires further investigation, as it seems to produce varying effects. Factors like genetics and the specific type of CBD product used could influence how CBD affects hunger.
Is CBD Oil Worth Trying for Weight Loss?
Whether CBD oil can effectively aid in weight loss remains uncertain, but it has demonstrated improvements in other aspects of health. The safety profile is relatively positive, carrying minimal risk of side effects.
However, further research, particularly involving humans, is required to fully understand how this cannabis-derived product influences weight. The currently available findings are not robust and often inconclusive.
As a result, CBD oil is not suggested as a reliable method for weight loss.
Exploring alternative weight loss strategies is recommended, especially considering that CBD products can be costly.
In Conclusion
CBD oil is a growingly popular cannabis product often promoted for weight loss purposes.
Yet, the existing research doesn’t provide a definitive impact on weight.
While certain studies suggest that CBD could potentially enhance metabolism, reduce body fat, and curb appetite, conflicting findings also indicate an increase in appetite.
Until further comprehensive research is conducted, it’s advisable to prioritize proven methods like dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes for weight loss.