Does CBD Make You Lose Weight?

CBD products are popping up widely in the healthcare space. While most people know CBD as an alternative treatment for stress and anxiety, research now shows that cannabinoid is a necessary way to lose or maintain weight. This blog sheds light on CBD and weight loss, including how it affects weight loss and the best CBD products for weight loss.

When it comes to weight loss, you might have heard or tried various solutions, including staying fit, eating well-balanced meals, getting enough sleep, avoiding alcohol, and quitting smoking. Since obesity is a bane to many people's lives, research on ways to lose or maintain weight has never ceased. Fortunately, CBD is the newly discovered weight loss tool. Most people know CBD for its psychological power. Studies show that cannabidiol relieves chronic pain, improves sleep quality, suppresses cravings for drugs, and promotes weight loss or management. This blog focuses more on CBD and weight loss. Although the topic is understudied, this blog will provide everything you need to know before trying CBD for weight loss. Learn more about can you overdose on cbd?

What Is CBD?

CBD is one of the cannabinoids found in marijuana and hemp plants. It contains various substances, such as terpenes, that give plants their unique aroma and taste. While more than 100 cannabinoids exist in cannabis plants, CBD and THC are the most abundant. Fattore et al. (2011) suggested that THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is psychoactive, which alters your cognitive functioning, making you feel 'high.'

The legality of CBD in the U.S is still confusing to many people. Federal law deems marijuana-derived CBD illegal. On the other hand, the Food and Drug Association is less strict on hemp-derived CBD. You may want to check the legality of CBD in your state before integrating it into your fitness routine.

How CBD Promotes Weight Loss

In 1990, researchers discovered the human body has a complex cell-signaling system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) found in the brain and other body parts. The ECS affects mood, digestion, inflammatory response, muscle growth, appetite, and metabolic functions. This results in elevated metabolism and reduced hunger, which promote weight loss. According to Hammell et al. (2016), CBD reduces inflammation and positively affects weight loss.

Researchers also believe CBD slightly increases your internal temperatures, making your body burn calories. Studies also show that CBD increases brown fat in your body, which helps the body burn more calories. It is also believed that CBD promotes healthier blood sugar and insulin levels, reducing the risk of diabetes.

On the other hand, your body produces higher amounts of the hormone cortisol when you are stressed. Higher cortisol levels can dramatically increase your food intake, adversely impacting your metabolism. However, Hurd et al. (2019) suggested CBD reduces cortisol levels, helping you adopt a healthier lifestyle that supports weight loss.

What are Forms of CBD Ideal for Weight Loss?

CBD occurs in three forms; full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. If you want to lose weight, go for the first two options. Full-spectrum CBD is home to all cannabinoids and other compounds like terpenes and flavonoids. On the other hand, broad-spectrum CBD lacks THC but contains other cannabinoids, such as cannabigerol (CBG). Products made with full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD allow you to experience the effects of other compounds in the cannabis plant.

Ways to Consume CBD for Weight Loss

CBD Oils

Made with CBD extract and carrier oils, CBD oil can be isolated or contain other compounds found in cannabis plants. It can be taken orally or applied to the skin. Add CBD oil to your standard lotions or creams for the second option, and then use it on the skin.

Vapes

If you don't want to use CBD oil orally or topically, vaping is the way. Vape pens heat CBD oil to produce CBD-infused vapor.

Edibles

Edibles are chewy CBD products that are ingested via the mouth. CBD gummies are the most popular edibles. Because edibles take more time to get absorbed into the bloodstream, you may experience the therapeutic effects after an hour.

Capsules

Capsules are a convenient way to take CBD for weight loss. They are pill-like substances with a gelatin outer casing and a precise amount of CBD oil. Furthermore, they have no precise taste, although they effectively disguise the earthy taste of CBD oil.

Who Should Not Take CBD for Weight Loss?

While research on CBD and weight loss is promising, the cannabinoid may not be safe for everyone. Steer clear of CBD products during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. CBD can cause problems during delivery or wreak havoc on the health of your child.

Which Medications Interact with CBD?

The cases of harmful interactions between CBD and medications are not unheard of. If you are currently under blood thinners, thyroid medications, antihistamines, or heart rhythm medications, you may want to talk to your healthcare provider before trying CBD for weight loss. Learn more about cbd delivery methods

How Much CBD for Weight Loss Should You Take?

When it comes to CBD dosage, there is no such thing as the "right amount." CBD works differently for people, depending on their age, weight, or metabolism. Since the right dosage varies from person to person, you may want to start with a smaller dose and gradually increase it to find one that works for you best.

How Long Should You Wait to See Positive Results?

As mentioned, CBD works differently for people. Some will see positive weight loss results after a few days, while others after months. When your results are delayed, try other CBD products for weight loss.

The Bottom Line

CBD is becoming the next big thing in the fitness industry. Available in the form of vapes and smoking products, oils, tinctures, and edibles, CBD is said to be a safe and effective way to shed pounds. Of course, there is a need for more research on CBD and weight loss. However, it won't hurt if you incorporate the compound into your fitness routine. You may also want CBD products made with full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD to enjoy the effects of THC and other compounds found in cannabis plants. According to research, consuming two or more compounds founds in cannabis simultaneously triggers the "entourage effect."- a phenomenon in which the chemical compounds in hemp work synergically to enhance CBD's therapeutic effects.

References

Fattore, L., & Fratta, W. (2011). Beyond THC: the new generation of cannabinoid designer drugs. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 5, 60.

Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain‐related behaviors in a rat model of arthritis. European Journal of Pain, 20(6), 936-948.

Hurd, Y. L., Spriggs, S., Alishayev, J., Winkel, G., Gurgov, K., Kudrich, C., ... & Salsitz, E. (2019). Cannabidiol for reducing cue-induced craving and anxiety in drug-abstinent individuals with heroin use disorder: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 176(11), 911-922.