There is a belief that cannabis extracts increase hunger; this can be true, but not all of them. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the same cannabis extract causing the psychoactive effects of marijuana, is responsible for increasing hunger.
On the other hand, CBD is non-psychoactive and has effects on the body that are entirely different from THC. Its effects are heavily linked to weight gain and loss, affecting things like appetite and metabolism.
Before we dive deeper into CBD and weight loss, let’s understand what CBD is.
What is CBD?
Cannabinol (CBD) is a chemical compound or cannabinoid found in marijuana and hemp. There are more than 100 compounds found in cannabis and hemp plants, but CBD and THC are the most common ones though THC is only found in cannabis.
CBD is not psychoactive; therefore, it can’t get you high, but this doesn’t mean that it is legal. In some states, CBD is illegal.
Some studies indicate that CBD can reduce your body mass index (BMI) and lower your weight. But this doesn’t mean you ditch your diet and exercise and solely rely on CBD for weight loss. What you can do is incorporate CBD oil to improve the results.
How CBD helps lose weight
People gain weight because they take in more calories than they let out. Burning of body fats depends on many factors like hormonal imbalances, the functionality of the endocannabinoid system, metabolic pattern changes, etc. Here is how CBD helps in weight loss:
It suppresses appetite
People who smoke weed tend to feel hungry because of the THC compound. However, studies show that CBD can help lose weight by reducing appetite. While there is not enough human research on this, the 2012 animal study revealed that administering CBD to rats reduced their appetite.
Though anecdotal, there is a belief that CBD can also suppress human appetite resulting in weight loss.
Converts unhealthy fats into healthy fats
There is a claim that CBD helps convert bad (white) fats into brown fats, which are healthy and can improve your body’s ability to burn calories. White fat can increase your chances of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, which can be dangerous without BLS CPR certification. This fat conversion process has other health benefits besides burning calories.
As CBD turns white fat to brown fat, it also increases the breakdown of fats in the body. The brown fat cells are more active and help stimulate thermogenesis which helps burn more calories.
Controls hormones
CBD helps in controlling hormones like cortisol- a stress hormone. Stress can cause you to overeat to cope with the stressful life. Talking CBD can help reduce the stress hormone, reducing stress and anxiety, leading to lower body weight.
Increases metabolism
CBD, as a cannabinoid, is a metabolic booster that can help increase your body’s metabolic rate. With increased metabolism, your body can burn more calories throughout the day, even when resting.
How to consume CBD for weight loss?
Below are the ways you can consume CBD for weight loss:
- Take CBD capsules
- Add CBD oil to your morning smoothies or coffee
- Add CBD oil to your food
- Use a CBD topical cream
- Chew CBD gummies
How long does it take to lose weight when taking CBD?
Everyone responds differently to CBD; therefore, there is no specific time to lose weight. In some people, a decrease in appetite can come after a few days, while in others, it can take longer. If yours takes longer, try different methods to find out what works best for you.
You should note that you cannot lose weight overnight even if you take a large amount of CBD oil. But to speed up your weight loss process, incorporate CBD oil into your healthy diet and exercise routine.
What are the side effects of CBD?
CBD oil consumption sometimes causes nausea and stomach discomfort. Other side effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Appetite change
- Heightened anxiety
- Increased blood pressure
Conclusion
CBD is a compound found in cannabis and hemp. CBD is non-psychoactive and, therefore, cannot make you high. Unlike the other common cannabinol THC, CBD decreases appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
