About 40% of the global population is obese. This sheds light on the importance of taking effective measures that promote weight loss. Bring cannabis into the picture and you may gain weight. Or would you not? It is a common misconception that consuming marijuana has a “munchies effect.”
Research on whether weed can make you put on weight or help you lose it is mixed. Some studies show that the intake of marijuana can trigger weight gain. For instance, one study found that users who smoked cannabis noted an increase in hunger. However, a recent research found that marijuana users weighed less than those who didn’t consume the herb. The International Journal of Epidemiology published this report.
At the end of the day though, there are many factors related to cannabis use that determine whether it can help you shed off extra pounds or stack some on. These include the delivery mode, the strain, and the dosage of marijuana you use.
How Does Weed Effect Wight?
Marijuana use has an impact on your weight because it can interact with the cannabinoid receptors of your endocannabinoid system. This allows weed to influence various departments of your health from your digestive system to neurological functioning. By impacting CB1 and CB2 receptors in your body, cannabis can also effect your weight.
Marijuana And Weight Gain
The stereotype that marijuana can increase the pounds you carry is backed by some research. A study by researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine concluded that marijuana upped appetite. This is why doctors give people who have medical conditions marijuana for stimulating their appetite. However, though expanded appetite and weight gain share a link, a bigger appetite doesn’t necessarily translate to an increase in weight.
Some observational studies indicate that cannabis use can also lead you to exercise less. This is because when it is consumed, weed may have the immediate effect of lower steadiness, and decreased performance. By making you exercise less, weed can promote weight gain. At the same time though, some researches also show that cannabis can enable people to exercise better by boosting energy, decreasing pain, and combating exercise-induced asthma.
Additionally, one 2015 study showed that cannabis use caused weight gain in men although this effect wasn’t observed among women. Furthermore, research has shown that cannabis strains with higher THC can cause weight gain. This is because of the link they share with higher abdominal fat and insulin resistance.
But Doesn’t Cannabidiol Have Weight Loss Potential?
Though tetrahydrocannabinol is associated to weight gain, cannabidiol is seen in a more positive light. They say CBD can reduce appetite, enhance metabolism as well as convert white fat into brown fat. Does this mean that cannabis strains higher in CBD can help lose weight?
Key Takeaway
Depending on the strain and how you consume your weed, it may help you lose or gain weight. Researchers need to come up with further evidence regarding this.
