We are lucky to be born in a time when, for most people in the western world, food is cheap and plentiful. It tempts us from every street and screen. Food provides pleasure and comfort and is at the heart of every celebration. But these are also the reasons so many of us need to shed a few pounds and inches. There are always new ideas suggesting ways to lose weight, but some are more credible than others, and here is where CBD comes in. We ask the question: when it comes to CBD for weight loss, does it actually work?
There is not enough convincing research to date to support these claims, but the anecdotal evidence for its use is mounting and can’t be ignored.
Why Use CBD for Weight Loss?
Research into CBD has a long way to go, but it’s already believed that CBD could have a major impact on many physical functions, potentially improving both health and quality of life. A number of studies have already linked CBD to lower body weight and body mass index (BMI), so further research in this area could be a crucial step in establishing the benefits of CBD for weight loss. It appears to play a significant role in physical conditions connected to metabolism and maintaining a healthy weight. Here are some of the ways CBD could affect weight loss.
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Acts As an Appetite Suppressant
Surprisingly, one of the few acknowledged side effects of CBD can be reduced appetite. This may play a role when considering CBD for weight loss.
Unlike THC, which can stimulate the appetite and lead to hunger pangs, CBD supposedly does the opposite. Reduced appetite is actually considered to be a side effect of CBD, but if your aim is weight loss, this could be a good thing. A reduction in appetite usually means we eat less and therefore consume fewer calories. One 2012 study on rats showed appetite was suppressed in animals given CBD. However, some studies around children with epilepsy have noted CBD appeared to increase their appetite. But there is an understanding that CBD may influence other molecules to block the CB1 receptors linked to appetite and thereby prevent overeating.
May Increase Brown Fat
This isn’t as worrying as it sounds because there are two types of fat in the body – white, which is considered bad, and brown, which is good. White fat gathers on the outside of the body – it’s the fat we can see and feel. It stores energy and helps to insulate the internal organs. But too much of it, and we are heading into obesity, and too much of it around the waist could mean a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses.
Brown fat is iron-rich and also stores energy but burns it to create body heat during thermogenesis, burning calories in the process. Although adult stores of brown fat are small, white fat can be converted into brown fat. And higher levels of brown fat could promote greater calorie burning.
Brown fat is being linked to possible ways to combat obesity. One study has linked CBD to fat-browning, where dangerous white fat is converted into brown fat. Therefore, it is hoped that CBD may be beneficial in promoting more energy-burning brown fat.
Helps to Combat Metabolic Disorders
Metabolic disorders include diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. They are all linked to excess weight and obesity. In particular, the rate of Type 2 diabetes is soaring and putting extreme strain on health systems around the world. Reducing weight can therefore cut the risk of developing these conditions. But how can CBD help with weight loss here?
In diabetes, the body has high blood sugar and becomes resistant to insulin. The body uses insulin to move glucose into the cells. Resistance to insulin means more glucose in the blood. A study from 2018 showed that CBD and other cannabinoids could improve the way glucose is absorbed by cells. It appeared to be more successful than a widely prescribed medication for lowering blood sugar.
Obesity and diabetes are also connected to poor liver health. CBD is thought to reduce the harmful compounds in the liver and help to repair liver damage.
CBD is known to reduce inflammation, and the pancreas – which is at the centre of metabolic disorders – can become inflamed and damaged through a bad diet. It may be the case, therefore, that CBD can reduce inflammation and save the pancreas from damage. A healthy pancreas is more able to combat diabetes.
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Supports Healthy Sleep
Sleep is a vital activity for everyone, and it’s thought that getting plenty of sleep could play a role in weight loss. BMI has continued to rise, while the average hours of sleep have fallen. Medical professionals do not yet understand the connection but believe getting enough sleep directly corresponds to maintaining healthy body weight.
However, for many people, getting a good night’s sleep is far from easy. We may even spend so much time awake at night that we stock up on snacks for comfort. CBD is a popular choice for people trying to improve their sleeping habits and achieve a better quality of sleep. Its supposed benefits for relaxation and reducing stress may encourage the brain to switch off and drift more easily into deeper sleep.
CBD Dosage For Weight Loss
Everyone is different and has a unique body, which is why CBD dosage is hard to determine. Even people with similar body weight, shape and size could react completely differently to the same amount of CBD. Therefore, it is always best to start with the lowest recommended dose and strength. From there, increase the daily doses. If there is no discernible effect, perhaps try a higher strength product and experiment with dosage from there. It’s likely that everyone will find a sweet spot where they feel the benefits of CBD. It can also take time. Experts suggest sticking with CBD for at least three weeks, as it may take that long to impact the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Interestingly, the World Health Organization has assessed that CBD can be taken safely in high amounts without the risk of addiction or abuse. There may be side effects for some, but even in higher doses these tend to be minor and include:
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhoea
How Should I Take CBD for Weight Loss?
CBD comes in many different formats, the most widely available being CBD oil. This is CBD suspended in a carrier oil, usually hemp. It is taken as drops under the tongue and left to absorb. But it is also available as tinctures or oral sprays, where the CBD is suspended in a very weak alcohol solution, and as soft gel capsules.
CBD is also added to products like gummy bears, cookies and protein bars. Obviously, if weight loss is the goal, avoid these ‘edibles’ as they also contain fat and sugar. Check out the calorific value of CBD oil or capsules if it’s available and take the lower option. The word ‘oil’ in connection with CBD for weight loss may ring alarm bells, but the amount of oil consumed is very small. Plus, hemp oil also has many additional nutritional benefits. Therefore, these ‘purer’ forms of CBD may be the best option.
CBD Soft gel capsules can be taken at regular times during the day. CBD oils and tinctures can also be taken at set times or used to top up CBD levels whenever the need arises. Oils and tinctures get to work much faster than capsules, but the effect doesn’t last as long. Choose whichever option suits your routine and taste preferences.
Summary
One day, there could be a magic pill that melts away fat and keeps us at the body weight we want. Until then, we must take responsibility for what we feed ourselves and how we burn it off. But CBD may help us in the struggle.
Unfortunately, right now, there is no clear evidence to support claims made around CBD for weight loss. The little evidence there is can be read as contradictory: some studies say CBD can reduce appetite and potentially promote weight loss, while others say it might stimulate the appetite, leading to overeating. The one truth in all this is that weight loss is achieved by burning more calories than we take in. If CBD can help cut down our cravings for food and therefore reduce calorific intake, or alter the way our bodies burn fat, then it could be worth considering alongside healthy eating and exercise.
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