Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound considered to potentially help with weight loss. However, further research is incomplete and needed to confirm the relation between CBD and Weight Loss. Cannabidiol is better known as CBD and is a widely popular compound derived from the cannabis plant.
Although it is found as an oil-based extract, CBD also comes in lozenges, sprays, topical creams, and other forms.
CBD may have a large number of benefits.
Reducing anxiety, acting as a natural pain reliever, and improving heart and brain health are well-known and proven health benefits.
However, the effects of CBD on weight loss are little known because the researchers have not done it to the completion level but This article explores the current research on CBD and Weight Loss.
Understanding CBD and Its Effects on the Body
Cannabidiol oil is derived from cannabis, known as a popular natural remedy for many ailments. You may make CBD oil by extracting it from the cannabis plant and diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut oil or hemp seed oil. It’s one of more than 150 chemical extracts. These chemicals are called cannabinoids as found in the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa.
THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, which means it causes the sensation of feeling high that’s often associated with cannabis. However, CBD is not psychoactive.
CBD can be found in various products available at stores and online, including dietary supplements, drinks, and food.
What is CBD?
CBD is a special chemical compound found in cannabis plants and It’s the second most abundant cannabinoid after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and composes approximately 45% of the plant’s extract. CBD does not cause a feeling of” getting high” which means it is not alike THC but it is obvious that it affects your body in different ways. It is considered an effective source to stimulate certain receptors in your body to reduce pain, anxiety, and inflammation.
It helps your body to break down anandamide — a chemical found in your brain and often referred to as the “bliss molecule”. CBD allows anandamide to stay in your system for a long time so that it may help relieve pain and boost brain function. it also regulates the production of inflammatory molecules called cytokines, thereby reducing inflammation and pain. In addition, CBD treats symptoms of depression. Although human research is currently incomplete and limited therefore the full effects of CBD on body health are still unknown.
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
The ECS forms a complex network of chemical signals and cellular receptors that are densely packed throughout our brains and bodies. The “cannabinoid” receptors in the brain work as the CB1 receptors along with many of the other receptor types found in the brain. They act like traffic signals to control the levels and activity of most of the other neurotransmitters. In this way these chemicals regulate the systems of the body by immediate feedback, turning up or down the activity of whichever system needs to be adjusted, that may be hunger, temperature, or alertness.
Our bodies produce endocannabinoids that help to stimulate these chemicals and they are closely similar to the two molecules in the cannabis plant. The first molecule of endocannabinoid was named anandamide after its discovery and it was named after the Sanskrit word ananda for bliss. Tiny cannabis-like molecules floating around in your brain. Humans have been using cannabis plants for about 5,000 years and its special oils work by hijacking this ancient cellular machinery.
The CB2 receptor is another type of cannabinoid receptor. It exists mostly in your immune tissues and functions to improve your immune system. It is considered the most effective compound to modulate inflammation in the intestine and severe conditions of inflammatory bowel disease. These receptors particularly excite the targets of drug development because they don’t cause the high feeling associated with cannabis that stimulates the CB1 receptors (an unwanted side effect).
Exploring the Potential Benefits of CBD for Weight Loss
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the main active compound found in cannabis sativa plants. CBD’s rising popularity is attributed to its potential health-promoting advantages, including a reduction in anxiety, pain, and depression symptom relief and, more recently, weight loss.
According to new research, CBD contributes to weight loss in multiple ways, such as appetite suppression, reduced chronic pain, and improved sleep. However, the results of research on the topic are limited and, in some cases, conflicting. More research is required to explore the potential relationship between CBD and weight loss.
Appetite Regulation
After studying the characteristics of CBD, you may link cannabis administration to an increase in hunger (the ‘munchies’), but the opposite may be true when CBD is present in higher percentages than THC.
Researchers looked at the effect of a range of cannabinoids on rat feeding patterns, and the results showed that CBD reduces the desire for food and overall food intake. The study also proved that more mechanistic and behavioral work examining possible anti-obesity effects of cannabidiol.
Metabolism and Fat Browning
The studies that were published in 2016 look into the ability of CBD to turn white fat cells into brown fat cells.
White fat is the type of fat that may cause health issues (such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes) if present in large amounts. On the other hand, brown fat is more active in metabolic activities and helps to increase energy currency within the body when it breaks down.
The study concludes that CBD plays dual modulatory roles in the form of inducing brown fat as well as promoting lipid metabolism. Hence proved that CBD may be explored as a potentially promising therapeutic agent for the prevention of obesity and fat accumulation in your body.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Recent studies indicate that CBD oil is an effective remedy for the reduction of stress and anxiety. It acts on the endocannabinoid system in your body, a neural network that is part of your central nervous system, and plays a role in modulating cognitive and physiological functions. These are the main findings on CBD oil for stress and anxiety that have been shown so far.
Reducing Inflammation and Increase Sleep
Although inflammation and sleep are not directly tied to metabolism and fat breakdown, they both have an indirect link with weight loss.
Chronic inflammation is the factor that causes an increase in the risk of metabolic issues including obesity and diabetes while poor sleep also affects your body fat accumulation that leads to obesity. Studies show that CBD is more effective in reducing inflammation and increasing sleep quality than other pharmaceutical drugs. It also has positive impacts on your sleep patterns and helps to regulate your circadian rhythm. Improved sleep patterns indirectly influence your mental or cognitive abilities by reducing anxiety or depression.
Examining the Evidence from Research Studies
In the natural health world, many discoveries are being made by scientific research methods and the recent research on Cannabidiol (CBD) has proved it a unique compound gaining a lot of popularity due to its special characteristics of helping in losing weight. But still, there is a need for more research to verify its beneficial effects as a weight losing compound. Another cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), plays a crucial role as the psychoactive compound of cannabis. There is no evidence that CBD causes a high. The only uses of CBD that are approved by food and drug departments are for treating different forms of epilepsy and specific causes of seizures. All other uses are off-label.
New research suggests that CBD may be used to treat some health problems — such as relieving chronic pain, improving sleep, and reducing inflammation. However, there is not enough evidence to prove that it is effective for any of these issues.
Researchers are looking for evidence that may prove that CBD can help people lose weight and reduce their risk of issues associated with being overweight, such as obesity and metabolic disorders. In this article, you will find the information and advancements in the existing research behind CBD and weight loss. We also discuss possible risks and the legal status of CBD.
Human Studies on CBD and Weight Loss
Your body systems respond to different chemicals in the body through two cannabinoid (CB) receptors, called the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found in dense form in your brain and central nervous system. CB2 is the second type of receptor that is mainly found in the immune system.
In overweight people, however, CB1 receptors become more widespread in fatty tissue. That’s why researchers believe that there may be a link between the activation of the CB1 receptors and being overweight. CBD works with some other cannabinoids to activate other receptors, including endocannabinoids and serotonin. This may help the body’s systems with weight loss or other critical metabolic functions.
Summary of Clinical Trials and Observational Studies
Until now human studies to support CBD’s benefits are limited and not enough to support the idea, as the government has restricted the use of cannabis research. As cannabis is becoming legalized in various regions, research is increasing as time passes and shows some promising results. The initial results of research on CBD and weight loss are raising hope and may prompt more research into this connection.
However, no research has directly shown that CBD consistently leads to weight loss in humans. CBD may not be replaced by any other medications a person is taking for chronic conditions. You should talk to a doctor before using CBD for any reason, as it may interact with your existing medications.
Side Effects of CBD
In most regions of the world, CBD is considered safe and beneficial for weight loss, however, most of the people who use it, experience side effects including
- Drowsiness
- Infections
- Diarrhea
- Appetite disturbance
- Nausea
- Mood swings
- Impairment of male fertility
- Fatigue
- Change in weight
These are some common negative impacts of CBD and can vary from person to person based on the amount taken. Anyhow, it must start with a smaller dose and increase slowly according to your tolerance.
Another side effect is its interaction with other medications you are taking. Incorporating exercise may lessen the risk factors of drug interaction. It doesn’t mean that you have to stop taking other medications while using CBD but just need to talk with your doctor before using it. Some people use CBD to relieve anxiety but if you suddenly stop taking your regular medications, it will withdrawal symptoms, including,
- Fogginess
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Dizziness
Dosage of CBD
If you are planning to try CBD for weight loss, first talk to your professional healthcare provider. He will help you to figure out a starting dose that matches your metabolism. However, the institute of marijuana laws, advised that very few available products contain CBD to replicate the therapeutic effects that were seen in clinical trials.
Now talk about its general dosage, its doses up to 600 mg are considered safe but the thing to notice is, that its specific dosage tolerance varies from individual to individual based on factors including, height, age, weight, overall health condition, and the duration for its use. Thus, this 600 mg may be too much for someone and some may tolerate it easily. So, it is best to listen to your body and observe the side effects.
CBD has three forms:
- Isolate having only CBD
- Full-spectrum having some more cannabinoids such as THC
- Broad-spectrum that have no THC
You can select full-spectrum because it is a yet unproven theory that posing different chemical compounds in cannabis work synergically to give benefits. Moreover, broad-spectrum also has beneficial effects, excluding the psychoactive effects of THC.
CBD can be taken in different forms, common are:
- Drops that may be swallowed or placed beneath the tongue, found in the form of sprays or capsules, can be taken orally.
- Beverages or gummy candies can be taken as edibles.
- Vaping oils that may be inhaled but have some associated health risks.
Conclusion
CBD is a popularly marketed product for weight loss but there is no clear evidence that shows its powerful effect on weight. However, some studies suggest that CBD may improve metabolic activities in the body that help reduce fat and appetite, and some types can increase appetite. Research is continuing to find its effects on weight loss and anxiety.
Until the complete research has been done, it’s best to rely on other proven methods to reduce weight and cut fats. Another way of getting exact knowledge is by consulting a physician.
