Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound that is gaining a lot of popularity in the world of natural health. Some people believe that CBD can help with weight loss, but does it work?
CBD is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Another cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. There is no evidence that CBD causes a high.
The only uses of CBD that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are to treat rare forms of epilepsy and specific causes of seizures. All other uses are off-label.
while research suggests that CBD may be a promising treatment for some health problems, including relieving chronic pain, improving sleep, and reducing inflammation, there is not enough evidence to show that it is effective for any of these problems.
Researchers are also studying the possibility that CBD can help people lose weight and reduce the risk of problems associated with being overweight, such as diabetes and metabolic disorders.
In this article, we discuss the existing research behind CBD and weight loss. We also look at the potential risks and legal status of CBD.
CBD can help with weight loss because of how it affects the body and brain.
CBD’s effects on the body are largely due to how it affects the body’s natural endocannabinoid system. This system responds to different chemicals in the body through two cannabinoid (CB) receptors, called CB1 and CB2 receptors.
CB1 receptors are densest in the brain and central nervous system. CB2 receptors are found primarily in the immune system.
In obese people, however, CB1 receptors are more widespread, especially in fat tissue. Because of this, researchers believe there may be a link between the activation of CB1 receptors and obesity.
CBD works with other cannabinoids to potentially activate many receptors, such as endocannabinoids and serotonin. This may play a role in weight loss or other critical metabolic functions.
There is some evidence to suggest that CBD can help a person lose weight or help prevent metabolic disorders.
Reduces appetite
Many proponents say that CBD can help a person lose weight by reducing appetite.
Most people associate cannabis with a stimulated appetite, as people tend to feel hungry after consuming cannabis. Although THC can cause hunger, there is little evidence that CBD does the same.
THC, when it stimulates the CB1 receptor, releases a hormone that increases food intake. On the other hand, as the authors of a Study 2018 Note, CB1 receptor antagonists can help reduce appetite and control obesity. This is because CB1 receptor antagonists block or “turn off” the receptor.
The authors also note that stimulation of CB2 receptors decreases inflammation and reduces food intake, thus possibly helping to reduce obesity.
A bigger one 2012 animal study found that exposure to CBD reduced appetite in rats. There are no direct studies showing that it reduces appetite in humans.
Turn bad fat into good fat
Proponents of CBD for weight loss also claim that it can convert white or “bad” fat into brown fat, which can help the body burn calories.
White fat can increase the risk of many chronic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes.
A 2016 study helps support this claim. The researchers found that CBD plays multiple roles in the body’s interaction with fat.
In the study, CBD helped turn white fat cells into brown fat cells. It also stimulated the body to break down fats more efficiently.
The researchers note that CBD may be a promising therapy for preventing obesity, but more studies in humans are needed.
Research from 2018 helps explain how CBD can break down body fat. The process of turning white fat cells into brown fat cells actually changes the way these cells act in the body.
Brown fat cells may be a more active form of fat. They burn energy in the form of heat, that is, they burn calories.
Since calorie loss is important for weight loss, CBD can help burn fat by converting white fat into brown fat in the body.
It reduces the risk of metabolic disorders
Like others Research 2018 notes, there is a close relationship between obesity and several metabolic disorders, such as:
Overactivation of CB receptors in the body may be partly responsible for this. Overactivation of CB1 receptors in adipose tissue throughout the body could contribute to obesity and metabolic risks.
A review a Research on cannabis and cannabinoids also notes some highlights from past studies on CBD and metabolic factors in animals
For example, a CBD treatment reduced total cholesterol by 25% in obese rats. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of CBD also appeared to lower blood sugar levels and increase markers for liver health.
While the initial results of studies on CBD and weight loss raise some interesting potential connections, there are some important things to keep in mind.
CBD, or any other compound, supplement or medication, is not a treatment for obesity. These supplements and compounds are not healthy substitutes for a healthy diet and regular exercise.
A person who adds CBD to their weight loss plan without exercising and eating healthily may not see any benefits.
It is best to work directly with a doctor when using CBD for weight loss. Doctors will want to talk about any other medications the person is taking, as CBD can cause adverse interactions.
The FDA does not regulate CBD products the same way they regulate drugs, so companies sometimes mislabel or misrepresent their products. This means that it is especially important to do your research and find a quality product.
The Farm Bill, signed into law in the United States in late 2018, states that hemp and hemp-derived products with a THC content of less than 0.3% are legal.
The legal status of CBD and other cannabinoids, however, varies by state. If someone in the US is thinking about trying CBD, they can check their local laws here.
There is limited evidence from human studies to support the benefits of CBD, as the government continues to restrict the use and research of cannabis. As cannabis is being legalized in various regions, research is increasing and showing some promising results.
Initial results from studies on CBD and weight loss are promising and may prompt further research into a possible connection.
However, it is important to note that no research has directly shown that CBD consistently leads to weight loss in humans.
CBD should not replace any other medication a person is taking for chronic conditions. People should talk to a doctor before using CBD for any reason, as it can interact with their existing medications.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 farm bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check your state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved over-the-counter CBD products, and some products may be mislabeled.
