Unintentional weight gain or loss is a common health problem many individuals face. They use various traditional and non-traditional treatments to solve the issue.
While people use weed to deal with this problem, its effectiveness is debatable. Do buds from white truffle strain and other seeds promote weight loss? While some users say they do, others refute the claim.
Discover what science says about whether cannabis makes you lose weight.
THC, Munchies, and Weight Gain: The Connection
Many marijuana consumers experience marijuana munchies, a significant increase in appetite. This phenomenon boosts your cravings for junk. You may feel restless and hungry until you’ve satisfied the urge.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance in cannabis, is behind the effect. Studies show this compound attaches to your body’s cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1). The receptors are found in the various places listed below.
- The brain (basal ganglia, the limbic forebrain, hypothalamus, and rhombencephalon)
- Small intestine
- Stomach
They trigger various physiological processes to boost eating pleasure and food palatability. THC also stimulates the secretion of ghrelin, the hunger hormone. The chemical substance increases your appetite and encourages overeating.
This process makes your body take in more calories than required. As a result, weed consumption may make you gain weight. Your tolerance level and weed dosage determine the amount of mass accumulated.
How Other Cannabinoids Counter THC
THC isn’t the only cannabinoid in cannabis, as the cultivar has other compounds. Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THVC) are two chemicals that counter THC’s effects.
Research suggests that CBD acts as a CB1 receptor antagonist. The compound prevents CB1 receptors from increasing your appetite. Your food intake reduces significantly, as you don’t feel hungry after smoking weed.
THVC also combats the effects of THC by blocking the CB1 receptors. It suppresses your appetite and makes you feel full after smoking marijuana.
The impacts of CBD and THVC overpower THC, preventing you from feeling hungry. These compounds ensure you don’t take in excess calories. As a result, weed may promote weight loss.
A 2011 study shows that cannabis users lose weight faster than non-users. It claims that tokers have lower obesity risk and BMI than non-tokers. The researchers found that the more cannabis you take, the lower your mass.
Another research supports this claim. It states that cannabis consumers typically weigh less than non-consumers.
While many studies attempt to explain the possible relationship, they have their shortcomings. They often depend on self-reported use by participants and have small sample sizes. These challenges could make the results unreliable.
How Weed May Make You Lose Weight
Although we don’t fully understand how weed causes weight loss, there are theories. Here are possible ways weed may make you lose body mass.
Increased Mobility
Studies have shown that CBD may relieve mobility issues caused by neurodegenerative disorders. The cannabinoid allegedly alleviates stiffness and pain, restricting your movement. Along with THC, CBD could also treat the symptoms of spasticity.
Increased mobility reduces the risk of a sedentary lifestyle that causes weight gain. It also improves your exercise capability, helping you lose more body mass.
Reduced Stress Level
When stressed, many individuals rely on food consumption for relief. This problem usually causes overeating and unintended weight gain if left untreated. Researchers believe that low THC in weed may alleviate the symptoms of stress.
Cannabis could also be a substitute for stress eating. The combined effects of this cultivar may make you lose weight.
Reduced Alcohol Consumption
Research suggests there’s a relationship between alcohol and weight gain. Liquor consumption may affect body mass in the following ways.
- It contains plenty of kilojoules that may lead to weight gain.
- It reduces your ability to burn fat.
- It increases cravings for greasy and salty meals, causing high fatty food intake.
- It reduces satiety and causes hunger.
Weed may help deal with liquor consumption. Experts discovered that many young individuals replace alcohol with weed. This factor reduces their calorie intake and could make them lose weight.
Enhanced Metabolism
When cannabinoids in cannabis link to CB1 receptors, they may increase metabolism. Evidence shows that higher metabolic rates tend to reduce energy storage. This process depletes stored fats and may bring down your weight.
Improved Sleep
Poor sleep can slow down your metabolism. The problem inhibits how your body processes foods and increases fat accumulation. This causes an unhealthy weight gain.
Research shows that weed may relieve the symptoms of insomnia. Low doses of THC in weed could lower sleep onset delay. The cultivar reportedly boosts total sleep time and makes you fall asleep easily. These factors may make you lose weight.
Key Takeaways
Although evidence suggests weed makes you lose weight, it’s still debatable. Various studies suggest the following.
- THC causes weed munchies and may cause weight gain.
- CBD, THVC, and other cannabinoids in cannabis oppose the effects of THC. They lower your appetite and could cause weight loss.
- Weed may make you lose weight by improving mobility and relieving stress. The cultivar could also increase metabolism, enhance sleep, and reduce alcohol use.