The holiday season is over and it’s a New Year with new opportunities and challenges. And what most people hope to do in the New Year is loose some of the weight they have gained during the holidays.
A 2014 study on Western societies reported average weight gains among adults between mid-November and mid-January is about 0.5 kg (1 pound).
But the range in individual weight changes was substantial and the already overweight and obese gain more weight than those who are a healthy weight.
So the holiday weight is a major contributor to annual excess weight gain.
Therefore taking care of this weight becomes a priority for most people after the holidays. And this is where you can incorporate CBD to help you lose a few pounds.
In this post, you will learn what the research says about using CBD to help you lose weight and how it will support you on your weight loss journey.
It May Quell Your Appetite
Cannabis is associated with stimulating your appetite by most people, hence the term the “munchies.” But this is due to the THC in cannabis which causes hunger. Therefore CBD is not associated with inducing hunger.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has both CB1 and CB2 receptors. They influence various bodily functions, including appetite. Hence when the CB1 receptors are activated by THC, it causes an appetite increase. And utilizing CB1 receptor antagonists may help in appetite reduction and controlling obesity. What these antagonists do is deactivate and block off the receptor.
But CBD does not directly deactivate the CB1 receptors. What it does is influence other molecules to shut off this receptor. It may also activate CB2 receptors, which have been shown to reduce food intake and have anti-obesity effects.
A 2011 study showed that the CB2 receptor blocked the decrease in body weight gain. Hence, CBD can alter body weight gain, possibly via the CB2 receptor.
Another study involving adult male rats showed cannabidiol (CBD) significantly reduced food consumption over the test period. That is in contrast to other cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabinol (CBN).
Therefore CBD reduced food intake, supporting the need for further research examining possible anti-obesity effects of cannabidiol.
There is some evidence behind CBD and weight loss. And if it may suppress your appetite, you’ll consume less food thus lose holiday weight.
CBD May Boost Fat Cells Browning
There are two types of fat in your body:
- White fat (white adipose tissue) and
- Brown fat (brown adipose tissue).
White fat cells are responsible for storing and supplying energy, plus it insulates your body’s organs. Brown fat cells generate heat and burn calories.
And white fat, referred to bad fat, has been associated with various chronic conditions such as heart diseases. Brown fat can be found more in people with healthy weight than overweight people.
So you have to convert white fat into brown fat if you want to be healthy and a desirable weight. And this is possible by exposing yourself to cold temperatures, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
However, studies have shown that CBD can also assist this conversion process.
A 2016 study investigated brown fat cells as a matter of combating obesity and what role CBD plays in this. It showed possible capacities for CBD in the browning of white fat. Thus, CBD may be a potentially promising therapeutic agent for obesity prevention.
Research on brown fat cells reveals that in adult humans CBD has the potential as a therapy for obesity. When used in a study involving mice, it protected the mice from diet-induced obesity. Therefore brown fat cells may be involved in weight regulation.
So by utilizing CBD, you are essentially helping your body burn more calories due to the presence of brown fat cells being more abundant than white fat.
CBD Helps With Insulin Regulation
When you consume food, blood glucose levels rise. The pancreas releases insulin to break down the glucose into energy which is released into the body’s cells.
But when a diet high in sugar is consumed, often it will be in excess in your bloodstream. So this will lead to insulin resistance. That is, your cells won’t receive the energy needed. Also, with excess sugars in your system, they start being stored in your liver. And to prevent and protect the body from high sugar levels, the liver begins converting the sugar to fat.
And with insulin resistance associated with obesity, using CBD here may help.
A 2018 study on CBD did show that it promoted glucose uptake in your cells in higher or equivalent levels. Reduced fat accumulation and reversed the insulin-resistant state. Hence it may potentially support the mitigation of obesity-related insulin resistance.
It May Reduce the Risk of Metabolic Disorders
Heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes are just some of the metabolic disorders associated with obesity. It is a consequence of the overstimulation of CB1 receptors within the fat tissue. Therefore when CBD is utilized. It blocks off the CB1 receptors indirectly thus, lowering your obesity risk.
A research review showed that obese mice received CBD for four (4) weeks and the result was a reduction in total cholesterol levels by more than 25%.
Since high cholesterol is linked with a risk of heart diseases, using CBD to reduce its levels may be of service to your weight loss.
Conclusion
Some studies point to a link between CBD and weight loss, but they are not conclusive. Despite the little evidence available being promising. There is still more research required..
Although you can decide to use CBD to support you in your weight loss journey, it’s not a substitute for exercise. You are still required to work out and be mindful of what you eat.
Disclaimer: Fabuleaf’s products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended for diagnosing, treating, curing or preventing any disease. Any information discussed in this blog is not a replacement for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor or physician for medical advice.