If we were to review the classic portrayal of marijuana users, it can be extracted that most of them are presented to be way thinner than the general population. In fact, it cannot be denied that using cannabis has long been associated with weight loss.

With this in mind, it is not surprising that many are wondering whether CBD, the compound found in cannabis that is currently conquering the modern market, promises the same result. Does it lead to weight loss, or does it contribute to weight gain?

If you’re one among the many who are curious whether CBD could drive you towards your body goals, here is a brief summary of the latest discoveries about the relationship of CBD with body weight.

Read on.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the many chemical compounds found in marijuana and hemp. Unlike THC, another compound found in the cannabis plant known to be its principal psychoactive constituent, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound. This means that consuming it won’t get you the feeling of “high” associated with marijuana usage.

What Propelled the CBD Craze?

While CBD and THC share almost similar medical benefits, it is the former that is currently making waves in the global market given its non-psychoactive feature. This enables consumers to experience and enjoy the medical promises linked to cannabis without ending up in a “high” state that is usually accompanied by a high level of euphoria, slower perception of time, elevated heart rate, dehydration, or even mild visual and auditory hallucinations.

How Do You Use CBD?

Given the high demand for CBD in the global market, manufacturers have developed many possible ways on how to use the compound. Generally, there are 4 common ways to enjoy CBD. These include:

• By Vaping or Smoking

Similar to tobacco users, cannabis enthusiasts can consume CBD either by rolling a fine cannabis flower into a joint or using a vaporizer that has a cartridge containing CBD oil. Whatever the case, vaping or smoking CBD promises the quickest effects among all other options. This is because both practices allow the CBD to go directly into your bloodstream, making it quicker for the compound to reach your brain and deliver its calming effects.

However, between the two, vaping CBD is commonly preferred over smoking cannabis. This is because the latter involve setting the joint on fire and inhaling everything that’s burning, which contains carcinogens that can cause respiratory irritation. Moreover, since vaping CBD oil doesn’t include the cannabis plant itself, the vapor produced comprises mostly cannabinoids, resulting to quicker and stronger effects.

• Through Edibles

If you’re not a fan of vaping or smoking, you can still consume CBD and experience its therapeutic effects by turning to CBD-infused edibles. To date, there now comes a range of CBD edibles available in the market, including gummies, chocolates, brownies, to many more.

However, as opposed to vaping and smoking, taking CBD through edibles will require up to two hours for the effects to kick in. This is because eating CBD will lead the compound directly into your liver and digestive tract, resulting in the product to be partially broken down.

Generally, only about 20 to 30 per cent of CBD can be absorbed when you consume it orally through edibles.

• Via sublingual products

Another option you might want to try is to experience the wonders of CBD via sublingual products. Generally, these could take on the form of sprays, pure cbd oil tinctures, or lozenges.

In this method, the user applies a few drops of the solution under the tongue and wait for the product to be absorbed.

Similar to vaping and smoking CBD, sublingually consuming cannabidiol promises users with faster results.

• Via Topicals

While some prefer to consume CBD, some also want to simply apply the compound directly to the skin. Since cannabidiol is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, many tend to turn to the compound as a natural remedy for joint or muscle pain.

To date, many CBD topicals are now available for purchase, including CBD-infused lotions, balms, creams, salves, and transdermal patches.

Since the product won’t enter the bloodstream, using topicals doesn’t promise stronger therapeutic effects to users. However, it does offer relief from pain caused by inflammation of joints or muscles.

Marijuana and Weight Loss: How Are They Linked?

For years, the connection between marijuana usage and weight loss has been a hot topic in medical science. To date, while information about the subject remains to be inadequate, available studies have somewhat established a few important notes about it.

In 2011, for instance, a group of researchers has reviewed two representative epidemiologic surveys from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions and the National Comorbidity Survey–Replication to evaluate the prevalence of obesity as a function of cannabis use. Basing on the results of the survey, which involved adults aged 18 years or older, the researchers had concluded that rates of obesity were higher among people who were not using marijuana over those who had consumed the compound at least 3 days a week.

The results mirror an earlier study conducted in 2010, which aimed to examine the association between cannabis use and overweight/obesity in young adults by observing the frequency of cannabis use and body mass index (BMI) of 2566 young adults. In the said study, researchers were able to conclude that there is lower prevalence of overweight and obesity among young adults who use cannabis compared to those who don’t.

The authors, however, noted that “further research is needed to examine the mechanism of this association.”

CBD and Weight Loss: Weighing the Possible Connection

To date, as CBD continues its rise in popularity, many are concerned as to how it could affect a person’s body weight. Since there is still little research about the correlation of marijuana with body loss, information about CBD’s effect on body weight remain to be lacking as well.

However, since research on CBD’s effect on the body continues to expand, some experts have a few theories on how CBD interacts with the body and result in weight loss. Among these theories include:

• It promotes ‘browning’ of fat cells

In 2016, a study conducted by researchers from the Department of Biotechnology at Daegu University found that CBD has the ability to turn white fat (increases risk of heart disease, diabetes, etc.) into brown fat (can burn calories).

According to the study, CBD offers three major effects on fat stores in the body. These include stimulating genes and proteins involved in enhancing the breakdown of fat, increasing the number of mitochondria that results in improved ability to burn energy in the body, and minimizing the production of specific proteins involved in forming new fat cells in the body.

These discoveries had led the researchers to conclude CBD’s potential as a possible agent in the treatment of obesity.

• It enhances metabolism

In a study involving animals conducted in 2008, researchers found that CBD has a role to play in enhancing the body’s metabolism. According to researchers, this happens when CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors residing in the brain and the digestive tract. By stimulating the said receptors, which assist in metabolising the compounds absorbed from food during the digestion process, CBD helps boost the body’s metabolism, therefore promoting weight loss.

• It reduces appetite

While THC is known to stimulate one’s appetite, CBD is believed to do the opposite. In a 2018 study, researchers found that although CB1 receptors help activate one’s hunger pangs, its antagonist receptors help in blocking it.

Since CBD has the ability to stimulate other molecules, including those that are considered to be CB1 receptor agonists, researchers believe that this could help prevent people from experiencing frequent hunger pangs that may lead to overeating.

The Bottom Line

To date, as CBD continues to emerge as a multi-billion industry, many are wondering what possible perks and advantages can still be extracted from the compound. Sure, while there remain to be tons of unanswered questions engulfing the product, various preliminary studies that lay down CBD’s medical and therapeutic promises open a world of possibilities.

Be sure to talk to your doctor to know more about the possible effects of CBD usage.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided in these blog posts is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The use of any information provided in these blog posts is solely at your own risk. The authors and the website do not recommend or endorse any specific products, treatments, or procedures mentioned. Reliance on any information in these blog posts is solely at your own discretion.