CBD and Weight Loss

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound that's found in the cannabis plant and is becoming quite popular due to its variety of health and wellness benefits. CBD can come in a variety of formulations, from topicals and oils, to even gummies. CBD is just one of many cannabinoids found in the plant, but researchers are still working to determine which cannabinoids are the most effective when it comes to your health, especially its relationship with weight loss. Read on to discover the different ways CBD can affect your weight.

It’s well-documented that cannabis can affect appetite in a variety of ways, most commonly, as a result of the compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The common phrase, “the munchies” is often used to describe the feeling of increased appetite after using cannabis. Medicinal cannabis has even been prescribed for patients with certain medical conditions to decrease nausea, boost appetite and support weight gain.

However, scientific research has not found the appetite-increasing effect in cannabinoids like CBD. CBD won’t cause you to crave and consume every sweet and salty snack within reach. Some studies have even linked CBD to healthy weight loss via its wellness benefits.

While THC has been linked to the ‘munchies’, there is some research that suggests that CBD may help with a reduction in calorie intake.

The human body has two types of fat cells. White fat cells are used to store energy. Brown fat cells are used as an energy source during calorie burning or exercise. Research published in the journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry shows that CBD may help with “fat browning”, which is when white fat cells are turned into brown fat cells to be burned. This helps you burn fat quicker, and lose weight faster.

Our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids as part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system has been found to play a significant role in appetite control, digestion, metabolism, sleep, and energy balance.

Cannabinoids interact with specific receptors located all throughout the body. The CB1 is a receptor within the ECS that THC works on. It’s most associated with feeling “high” and appetite regulation. The CB1 receptor is active in several appetite stimulation areas of the body:

• Sections of the brain that regulate food intake.
• Sections of the brain that associate eating with dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical.
• Sections of the digestive system that tell us when we’re hungry.

Since CBD interacts with both the CB1 and the CB2 receptors, it may support a more efficient and active metabolism, resulting in a healthier weight. An enhanced metabolism means that your body requires more energy and can in theory burn off more fat. This makes CBD products a promising possibility for supporting weight loss efforts.

In addition to affecting metabolism and appetite, CBD can also affect the body’s recovery period after a workout. CBD products can help soothe pain in the muscles, allowing faster recovery periods. When it comes to minimizing the muscle and joint discomfort that comes from exercise, CBD oil can be effective due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Check out Elixinol’s Body Comfort capsules with Boswellia, which help your body function to do everything it does, but just a bit more comfortably.

Overall, results from scientific studies on CBD and weight loss are very limited. It’s important to note that CBD, and other related products, should not be considered as a treatment for obesity or weight loss. These are supplemental products for health and wellness, not replacements for regular diet and exercise. CBD affects people in different ways and benefits are not a guarantee.

Interested in seeing for yourself how CBD can support your health and wellness? Discover our selection of CBD products that can promote relaxation, stress-relief and more, such as our Daily Balance Tincture and Full Spectrum CBD Oil.