Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the primary compounds isolated from cannabis plants. Among other medical and therapeutic effects, CBD is used to treat obesity and its associated medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, non-alcoholic fatty liver, arthritis, and many more. Researchers are still not sure how CBD can be an effective obesity treatment, but they theorize that it may modulate the endocannabinoid system.
CBD and weight loss
Cannabidiol has been shown to relieve chronic pain, inflammation, arthritis, depression, and anxiety while also helping with sleep problems. It is also used as a natural alternative to anti-inflammatory products. CBD oil products can be purchased online or in health food stores. CBD has been shown to modulate the endocannabinoid system, especially when it comes to appetite. Cannabidiol stimulates neuroplasticity in obesity by sending signals that control appetite and satiety (disappearance of hunger).
What does the research say?
The use of CBD to fight obesity has not been studied in humans yet, but researchers think it can help. A study on mice showed that cannabis extracts reduced the fat mass and serum leptin levels. Serum leptin is a protein that regulates energy metabolism, body weight, body composition, and immune response. Researchers found that it did this by activating the cannabinoid type 1 (CB-1) receptor.
CBD and the endocannabinoid system
The endocannabinoid system is a homeostatic regulator with receptors found all over the body. It comprises neurotransmitters, enzymes, receptors, and binding compounds called endocannabinoids or cannabinoids. The central role of the endocannabinoid system is to maintain homeostasis by regulating a wide range of functions such as mood, energy, and metabolism.
CBD has been found to inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme, which helps turn anandamide into arachidonic acid and other inflammatory molecules. By blocking this enzyme, CBD may prolong the effects of anandamide and reduce appetite. This study on mice showed that THC inhibited food intake while increasing energy expenditure in mice.
Reduces appetite and cravings
A study done on rats showed that CBD decreased weight gain and increased energy expenditure by activating the PPAR-gamma receptors. These receptors are responsible for reducing lipogenesis (creation of fat), increasing beta-oxidation (burning fat), and reducing appetite. It also increased mitochondria in muscle cells, making them more efficient at burning calories from fat.
It turns bad fat into good fat
Another study showed that CBD could increase the number of beige/brown adipose tissue in white fat. This is good because we call ‘good fats’ or ‘healthy fats.’ Beige/brown adipose tissue is responsible for burning calories to produce heat instead of storing it as other types of fat do.
Reduces the risk of metabolic disorders
CBD has been shown to regulate and normalize homeostasis. CBD can increase insulin sensitivity which can help reduce the risk of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver. It can also normalize blood pressure and act as an antioxidant.
Is there any proof of this?
The more studies on CBD, the more benefits are being found. For example, a recent study showed that obese people have higher levels of endocannabinoids which indicates that they may be less sensitive to cannabinoids. This might explain why obesity is linked with low anandamide and 2-AG (an endocannabinoid) levels. However, obese people with higher levels of anandamide and other endocannabinoids were found to have lower body mass indexes (BMI).
This means that they were less likely to be obese. Studies are being done to see if CBD can help with obesity because it has been shown to reduce appetite and cravings, stimulate neuroplasticity in the brain, promote the burning of bad fat instead of storing it as other types of fat do, turn so-called ‘bad’ white fat into healthy brown fat and normalize homeostasis.
Risks and considerations of using CBD
If you are using or thinking about using CBD to help with obesity, make sure that the CBD is coming from a clean and reputable source. Ensure it has not been exposed to pesticides, solvents, molds, or chemical fertilizers.
CBD can cause dry mouth, low blood pressure, and drowsiness. Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery if you’re feeling drowsy, have low blood pressure, or experience dry mouth. Also, make sure that you speak with your doctor before using CBD if you are taking other medications to avoid interactions.
Could CBD promote weight gain?
A study on rats did not show that CBD was an effective long-term treatment for obesity because they gained weight after ceasing the treatment. However, this study did not consider many other factors such as individual weight, diet, and how much physical activity is being done daily. Other studies have shown that CBD may decrease weight gain and fat storage.
Are cheap CBD oils safe?
It is essential to ensure that CBD oils come from a clean and reputable source. There have been reports of hemp oil in the market containing dangerous chemicals like propylene glycol, butane, and heavy pesticides. Other cheap brands use too little (or none at all) CBD for the amount of oil in the product. This means that you’re not getting as much benefit from the oil as you think. To get good quality CBD oils you can visit this website.
How to shop for CBD oils
If you are shopping for CBD oils, check the ingredients list. Ensure that there is at least 10% CBD in the product and that there are not too many other chemicals in the oil. CBD oil should be free of propylene glycol, butane, or other dangerous substances. Also, when you’re checking for cost, compare how much you’re paying for a 15ml bottle compared with the amount of CBD it contains. Is the product worth buying? Does it have a lot of ‘filler’?
Is CBD legal?
As long as the CBD has less than 0.2% THC, it is legal in most parts of the world because cannabis with high levels of THC is illegal. However, make sure that you are not breaking any local laws by using CBD oil for obesity treatment.
Why CBD may be the future of weight loss
It is an all-natural alternative to other treatments for obesity. It has few to no side effects, and it can promote neuroplasticity in the brain, which could help with binge eating disorders. Like any other health treatment, make sure to talk to your doctor before using CBD because there could be interactions with other medications. Read more about this on this page.
Summary
CBD may be an effective treatment for obesity and help reduce appetite and cravings, stimulate neuroplasticity in the brain, promote the burning of bad fat instead of storing it as other types of fat do, turn so-called ‘bad’ white fat into healthy brown fat and normalize homeostasis. It is essential to ensure that CBD oils are coming from a clean and reputable source, check the ingredients list, and compare how much you’re spending on a 15ml bottle compared to how much CBD it contains. As long as CBD oil has less than 0.2% THC, it is legal in most parts of the world because cannabis with high levels of THC is illegal. With CBD, you can lose weight without the risk of severe side effects.