You must have heard your stoner friends telling you how smoking marijuana increases their appetite, and once they start munching, there is no stopping. However, you must have also heard that marijuana helps your body to lose weight. Based on what stoners say and their looks, it can be confusing to think of weed can help you lose weight? And if yes, how exactly? The question rises significantly because while some stoners say they experience rapidly increased appetite, others say “Of course!” to “Does weed make you lose weight?” There are certainly a lot of questions, confusion, and scientific answers. This article will tell you if weed really makes you lose weight and what the experts feel about it.
Weed And Weight Loss Gain
Although some people say that marijuana helps them maintain their diet, exercise, and stay slim, some people preach that marijuana helps them lose weight. However, according to a 2014 study that measured the effects of marijuana, people who smoke or consume high quantity marijuana tend to experience increased appetite compared to those who consume a minimal or almost no amount of weed. In general, people who smoke cannabis have a lower body mass index (BMI) than non-smokers, but other cannabis-based research suggests that cannabis can positively affect their weight.
The latter mentioned research revealed a study in which scientists surveyed 52,000 people and found that 25% of non-smokers were obese, while 17% of people who smoked marijuana were obese. According to a study led by Dr. Rae, the following link between regular cannabis use and metabolism has been put under study:
- Smaller waist size
- Lower body mass index ( BMI)
- Lower rates of diabetes
- Better insulin resistance
- Lower rates of fatty liver
- Lower obesity rate
The science of weeds and weight loss is still emerging, and some studies have shown that cannabis can play a small role in managing weight. However, weed may not be a good substitute for healthy eating and exercise for everyone.
What Did Science Overview On Weed And Weight Loss
According to scientific researches and cannabis researcher Tom Clark, THC binds and activates CB1 receptors, which are part of the endocannabinoid system and are found in the stomach, small intestine, and brain that controls food intake and enhance metabolism. He also said that CB1 is our receptor for weight gain. It increases appetite, affects the rate at which we store food, and lowers our metabolic rate to conserve the calories we consume. While this study shows how a stoner may choose to eat after weed consumption and gain weight, some other studies speak differently.
A 2019 study showed that over three years, the body mass index of cannabis users was lower than that of non-users. According to two other studies conducted in 2011 and 2013, studies showed that people who use marijuana at least three times a week are less likely to be obese than people who don’t smoke marijuana and that people who smoke marijuana have better control of insulin and have a larger waist circumference.
Cannabis researcher Tom Clark also says people who are heavier start smoking marijuana to feel better, so they lose weight and applaud marijuana. More importantly, we may think that another way smokers may or may not lose weight depends on their lifestyles and their daily food. For example, some people who smoke marijuana drink less alcohol, and drinking alcohol will cause weight gain. You can, however, lose weight if smoking weed eases muscle pain, improves sleep. This can lead to a scheduled workout session and improved health.
Studies On Marijuana And Weight Loss Management
A 2011 report included two surveys with a total of 50,736 respondents. According to the results, the prevalence of obesity among cannabis users was 16.1%, compared with non-users, and 22% of participants were obese. The same response was obtained when another PubMed survey was launched in 2010. According to this report, young adult cannabis users are less likely to be obese or overweight than non-users.
In a recent study, an analysis in 2018 showed that cannabis users have lower body mass index (BMI) and reduced obesity. However, there is some evidence that cannabis use may be related to lower body weight if not for total body weight.
Another study published in 2011 in the American Journal of Epidemiology analyzed a more diverse population, showing that marijuana users had a lower BMI than the general population. A 2015 study published in the American Journal of Medicine observed that adults who used marijuana had smaller waistlines.
So if you are wondering, does weed make you lose weight quickly if you suffer from obesity? Then, no. Weed is not suitable for treating obesity.
How Can Weed Help You Lose Weight?
Even though there are no factual statements by the experts, the following may be the link between smoking weed and weight loss:
- It can cause people to drink less
Few experts believe young people who choose to consume weed instead of alcohol tend to stay safe from rapid weight gain or obesity.
- Weed improves sleep
Lack of sleep or bad sleep can demotivate your body from having an active body. This can directly lead to weight gain. Marijuana improves sleep, which technically allows them to have a refreshed day and diet.
- Weed may improve metabolism
Cannabis interacts with cannabinoid receptor 1. This receptor plays a role in managing metabolism. Therefore, large amounts of marijuana may increase metabolism and reduce energy storage. This process generally lowers the BMI of a person.
How Does Weed Affect Hunger?
Dr. Davis, a researcher at the Washington State Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, said that when the stomach is empty, it releases a hormone called ghrelin, which sends a message to the brain to tell the brain that it’s time to find food. Researchers found that the cannabis dose caused an increase in ghrelin, resulting in your brain asking you to eat.
Further researches led to Horvath and his colleagues’ journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience. The journal states weed tricks your brain into thinking you’re hungry, even when you’re full.
It is also said that the neurons responsible for stopping eating suddenly activate and promote feelings of hunger, even when full after marijuana consumption. This is because the brain produces its cannabinoid, which helps control your mood, memory, appetite, and pain tolerance level. In addition, the THC produced in cannabis attaches to cannabinoid receptors in your brains to mimic the same chemicals. So we can also say weed tricks the brain’s central feeding system.
Other Downsides Of Smoking Weed
Even though CBD’s health benefits are enlightening patients with a healing presence, weed carries THC, a chemical compound that gives your brain psychoactive experiences. However, apart from that, the following are some of the other downsides of smoking weed:
- Dry mouth
- Cough
- Memory loss
- Trouble concentrating
- Red eyes
- Fast heart rate
- Increased appetite
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Gloominess
- Suicidal thoughts in teenagers
- Weed hangover
These causes may vary from person to person, depending on the underlying disease.
Does Consuming CBD Help You Lose Weight?
CBD or cannabidiol is a cousin chemical compound to THC derived from the cannabis plant. CBD has many benefits, including heart improvement, anxiety reduction, natural pain relief, and improved brain health. Although there is no strong evidence yet, the following may be ways that CBD can help you lose weight:
- It can promote fat cell browning.
Although white fat is the main form responsible for storing and supplying energy while insulating and cushioning your organs, brown fat generates heat by burning calories. However, a study found that CBD causes white blood cell and protein browning, promoting brown fat or fat cell browning.
- It can reduce food intake and promote metabolism.
Studies have shown that CBD can reduce food intake and promote metabolism, thereby promoting weight loss. Experts and scientists are still researching the effects of CBD and THC.
Conclusion
Cannabis is a clinically controversial substance but also a potential medical benefit that could help to gain weight. Available studies show good chances of appetite stimulation, as well as weight gain when consuming weed. Currently, only further research will shed light on responses to the seemingly multifaceted weight effects of cannabis. However, it is also possible that marijuana is a weight-modifying compound that increases weight in underweight people, but not in normal or overweight people. There are too many theories to think about. But, for now, consuming weed without worrying about “weeds make you lose weight?” looks safer and better. There might not be any other explanation, but there may well be tons of different studies in the future that contrast or justify previous studies.
