Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound found in the Cannabis plant, becoming one of the most popular natural health products in the world. The buzz is that it can aid weight loss! let’s find out if it can.
CBD for losing weight
Researchers are exploring the avenues that CBD can help people lose weight and cut the risks of problems associated with being overweight or obese. These include issues such as metabolic disorders and diabetes.
CBD can aid weight loss because of the way it acts on the brain and body.
CBD affects the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoid system. This then responds to various chemicals in the body via two cannabinoid receptors, named the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
CB1 receptors are primarily in abundance in the central nervous system and brain. Whereas CB2 receptors are predominantly found in the immune system.
Cb1 receptors tend to be much more widespread in an obese person, particularly in fatty tissue. The discovery of this fact has lead researchers to believe that there is a high chance of a connection between the activation of CB1 receptors and obesity.
With full-spectrum CBD oil, other cannabinoids as well as CBD work together in the process of activating many receptors, including serotonin and endocannabinoid. This can have a significant effect on vital metabolic functions and indeed aid weight loss.
So what are the facts that research tells us?
Evidence shows using CBD for weight loss can be very effective in preventing metabolic disorders and facilitate losing excess body weight.
Reduces hunger cravings and appetite.
Advocates say that CBD can help a person reduce their appetite thus helping to lose weight.
Cannabis has generally been associated with gaining appetite, as people tend to feel hungry (getting the munchies) after using cannabis. While THC may in fact bring on hunger, CBD does not do the same.
A stimulated CB1 receptor caused by THC intake releases a hormone that initiates a craving to eat. On the flip side, a 2018 study shows CB1 receptor adversary may help lower appetite and manage obesity. This is because CB1 receptor adversary blocks or shuts down the receptor. Also stimulating the CB2 receptors lowers inflammation and slows down food intake.
Animal research in 2012 concluded that CBD significantly reduced appetite in rats. However, a direct study on humans and appetite was not conducted.
CBD for Losing Weight – Converting Fats
Studies have also shown that CBD can transition bad fat (white fat) into brown adipose tissue (brown fat) which can facilitate the body into using up more calories. White fat is responsible for issues such as diabetes and heart disease with evidence for this in a 2016 study. This also revealed how CBD helped to break down fatty tissue, although further human research still needs to be done.
A later study in 2018 describes how CBD may break down fats in the human body, explaining how the process of converting fats actually changes how cells respond in the body. Brown adipose tissues are more active than their white counterparts and dispel energy in the form of heat, This process does in fact burn calories.
Managing Metabolic Disorders
Metabolic disorder and obesity are definitely linked. The hyperactivity of CB1 receptors in fats is partially to blame for this, and maybe a contributing factor in the cause of metabolic disorders and obesity risks.
CBD managed to reduce cholesterol by 25% in obese rats. CBD also improved liver well being and decreased blood sugar levels noted in this review.
Conclusion – CBD for losing Weight
Choosing CBD oil to help you lose weight and manage obesity can be extremely beneficial in a whole host of ways. With an abundance of research to be found, there is no doubt CBD can help. However, CBD is not a cure or treatment for obesity. In fact CBD for weight loss is a supplement that should be accompanied by a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Taking CBD oil or other CBD products without any physical activity and eating processed fatty foods will give no benefits in losing weight.
CBD should not replace other medications for chronic conditions. Please talk to a health care professional about using CBD as it may interact with existing medications.
If you have any question regarding this subject please feel free to contact our team.
