CBD for Weight Loss | Does It Really Work?
When we think about CBD (or cannabidiol), the first thing that comes to our mind is either the cannabis plant or a small bottle with a dropper. These are the notions we commonly associate with CBD. If we put more thought into it, for instance, what CBD is used for, we think of anxiety, pain management, or inflammation at most. Little do we know, the world of CBD extends far beyond medication and mental health. Over the years, the cure-all medical mystery has made its way into the beauty and fitness industry.
So we already know that CBD has successfully been able to treat various mental and physiological complexities like anxiety, pain, insomnia, nausea, migraine, spasms, acne, cancer-related pain, and whatnot. Nevertheless, the recent word on the street declares that CBD is also effective for weight loss.
This article analyzes whether there is any truth to this claim.
So, what exactly is CBD?
CBD is one of the two major active components in the marijuana plant and is found in medical marijuana. THC is the other. CBD can also be derived from the hemp plant, a marijuana plant descendant with far more reduced THC levels. Farmers have been permitted to cultivate hemp since the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted, but only if the THC content is less than 0.3 percent. This is because THC induces a high but thankfully, CBD does not. Its out-turns are more on the therapeutic side rather than the recreational one.
The numerous medical implications of CBD have resulted in an avalanche of CBD goods. CBD oil, CBD tinctures, CBD capsules, and edible CBD are a few examples. The oil may be consumed orally or vaped.
Among the few human experiments, it was found that individuals who consumed marijuana on a daily basis had a relatively low BMI. The study did not conclude that cannabis induced a lower BMI or that CBD could have an impact.
The Science behind CBD for Weight Loss
Since researchers haven't analyzed CBD sufficiently in humans, the majority of what we know comes from studies on rats or mice. CBD does, in fact, reduce rodent appetites, according to the findings.
When calorie consumption is elevated and physiological function is poor, fat accumulation in adipose tissue persists. Frequent intake of high-fat diets can result in the buildup of extra weight in the adipose tissue, which can contribute to obesity. As a result, the extra weight must be incinerated on a daily basis. CBD has the ability to boost the energy expenditure in the body, which aids in the destruction of extra body fat. CBD stimulates mitochondrial activity in cells, allowing the body to burn additional calories. It may also slow the growth of new fat cells.
To learn how CBD can influence your appetite and calorie burn, it's crucial to recognize the endocannabinoid system. This is a communication system in one’s body that aids in metabolism and appetite regulation.
Our bodies contain cannabinoids, which are recognized as endocannabinoids and are parts of the endocannabinoid system. This mechanism has been discovered to be important in appetite regulation, food consumption, and energy balance. Furthermore, the endocannabinoid process aids in the control of our appetite. We may be able to promote a more effective and productive metabolism by manipulating this mechanism with the inclusion of CBD.
If HIV patients were prescribed CBD to raise their appetite, how come it works for weight loss too?
CB1 and CB2 are the two cannabinoid receptors.
If CB1 is functioning, it encourages food consumption, appetite, and improves senses of taste and aroma. CBD does not adhere to this receptor, but rather serves as a remote control, reducing its impact on hunger. Overweight individuals have more appetite-friendly CB1 receptors.
CB2, on the other contrary, functions as a hunger suppressant and has been suggested as a drug target. Standard marijuana also appears to function as a CB1 inhibitor, which may explain why frequent users have a reduced Body mass index. So basically CBD isn’t a weight-loss potion that will burn all your fat in a day but it’s actually just gonna encourage you to do it yourself by eating less and accelerating your metabolism.
The Co-relation between Stress and Weight Loss
Most people do not recognize but there is a living haunting connection between stress and body fat. Some people tend to eat extensively when they’re stressed. It’s called stress eating. Psychology suggests that it’s more common in women. And not just eating, but during these stressful times, people tend to satisfy cravings in order to make themselves feel better. These may include a whole tub of ice cream, maybe a tray full of French fries, or an entire cake. This in turn considerably adds to your body fat.
Since CBD is best known for alleviating stress and anxiety, stress eating shouldn’t be a problem anymore.
Is CBD a Good Gym Buddy?
Of course, it is. Uplifts mood, manages discomfort, relieves muscle spasms, gets rid of headaches; CBD ticks all the boxes regarding everything you need when you walk into that gym. Most people skip the gym because of how painful post-gym exhaustion can be. But CBD has got that part covered. Consuming a very small amount of CBD before hitting the gym will let you have a seamless workout. The same will engage you in a couch-lock afterward.
Some CBD products like AM energy capsules and tinctures contain vitamin B complex and caffeine; both of which play an essential role in releasing energy from the food we eat. Caffeine doesn’t really produce any energy but it speeds up the brain-to-body communication, thereby increasing focus and comprehension. The capsules contain only caffeine whereas the tincture comprises of vitamin B complex (b3, b5, b6 and b12). With the stimulation and energy provided in these, it would majorly impact weight loss. These products can be consumed during workouts or at any time of the day to give you the energy boost you need to shed some pounds.
There are various other products available in the CBD product lineage. The CBD Terpsolate Diamonds are made with CBD and terpenes. Vape cartridges are made 600mg of CBD and terpenes to the corresponding flavor or strain. The lotions are made with essential oils to provide exotic fragrances. The rosemary mint lotion has menthol in it for an “icy hot” pain freeze sensation.
Final Thoughts
Society has defined certain beauty standards for us and urges everyone to comply with them. We blindly give in to this notion for the sake of fitting in with society. However, weight loss may have serious circumstances if pursued without a set of reliable instructions. CBD may not be the miracle you were expecting it to be with the case of obesity, but it can surely aid in the process. Check-in with your doctor before consuming CBD or any other drug in order to avoid any endangering repercussions. After that, CBD is completely safe for use and is widely available almost anywhere.