Over two thirds Americans are overweight or obese. Obesity has also been linked to serious health problems. However, if you’re in that majority you know how difficult it can be to shed excess weight. Conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes drugs, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and quitting smoking can all make it easier to pile on the pounds.
CBD is popular topic being promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle, leaving consumers asking,“Can CBD help me lose weight?”
Read on for a rundown of how CBD could help you to torch that excess fat and take control of your health.
Results That Support Using CBD for Weight Loss
Converts “Bad Fat” to “Good Fat”
You might assume that all fat is “bad fat”, but the facts are a little more complicated. Our bodies contain different types of fat cells, and some of them can actually be helpful in losing weight! The two types of fat cells are known as “white fat” and “brown fat”.
Brown fat cells are known to contain many more mitochondria – our cells energy powerhouses – than white fat cells. As a result, brown fat cells use up a lot more energy than white fat cells. This means that having more brown fat cells can actually help us to lose weight!
A 2016 Korean study found that taking CBD could boost the expression of certain proteins in our body which are responsible for “browning” of fat cells. CBD also decreased the expression of other proteins which are responsible for the creation of new fat cells. In short, this means that CBD could help to improve the balance of good fats and bad fats in our bodies, boosting our metabolism and helping us burn extra calories.
Suppress Appetite
Anyone who’s smoked cannabis will be familiar with “the munchies”. However, it turns out that, when it comes to our appetites, not all cannabinoids are equal!
Given the role of overeating in weight gain, scientists have been investigating how CBD could actually help us to lower our appetites and eat less, with promising results: studies have linked daily CBD intake with reduced appetite and decreased weight gain.
While these studies were conducted using animal models, studies in humans have supported their results. A 2010 study found that cannabis smokers who used strains high in CBD were less interested in food than those who smoked high THC strains, leading researchers to recommend CBD as a possible remedy for obesity.
Exercise
Anyone who’s hit the gym after a long absence can tell you that, the first few times, the recovery can be brutal. This is a result of inflammation in our muscles, and CBD has been linked to reduced inflammation. This has led many professional athletes to experiment with using CBD to shorten the recovery period and allow them to train harder.
This is great news for us coach potatoes; remember “calories in, calories out”? By helping with the pain and discomfort experienced in recovery, CBD could encourage the obese to fight the flab by being more active.
Depression and Anxiety
It’s no surprise that obesity has been linked to anxiety and depression. While scientists are still sorting out the exact relationship, we know that people whose mental health is under control are less likely to be obese.
Initial studies into CBD as an antidepressant have been very promising. Although more studies are needed before CBD can be marketed as a treatment, we’ve heard positive things from many patients using CBD supplements to self-medicate their own depression and anxiety.
By boosting your mood, CBD could play an important role in helping you get off the couch and burn off those excess calories.
Obesity Complications
As well as anxiety and depression, obesity has been linked to a multitude of other health problems, such as heart disease. Thankfully, CBD has shown promise as a cardioprotective agent, and could also help mitigate the effects of other conditions linked to obesity. Check out our article about CBD Oil for Diabetes to learn about how CBD can help mitigate some of the serious risks associated with obesity.
How to Use CBD for Weight Loss
There are lots of convenient ways to purchase and consume CBD. Some of the most popular products are oils, vape cartridges, capsules, tinctures, and creams.
Capsules are a great starting point for beginners as they come in pre-measured doses. Many consumers swear by full-spectrum oil drops as the most versatile. These can be taken directly, put in food or used to make edibles or your own capsules. Topicals like creams are great if you’re looking for relief in a specific area; like a sore muscle or injury.
CBD can be purchased from dispensaries and head shops in states with legal cannabis systems. CBD can also be purchased online from reputable dealers. Always make sure to check reviews and read about a product thoroughly before purchasing CBD, as products can vary greatly in quality.
Top Rated CBD Oils for Weight Loss
As previously mentioned, THC is the most appetite-stimulating chemical present in cannabis. For this reason, you want a product high in CBD and low in THC if your main goal is to aid weight loss. CBD Isolate would be ideal.
For all over reduction of inflammation, an full-spectrum ingestible product like oil, tincture or paste are the best options. However, if you only need localized relief from sore muscles after a workout or from an injury, topicals can be the best option.
How Much CBD Oil Should You Take For Weight Loss?
CBD is newly legal and is only just beginning to be thoroughly researched for all its uses. For this reason, studies have not yet been done on the most effective doses of CBD specifically for weight loss
For general relief of symptoms, experts advise estimating CBD doses based on body weight. For most patients, 1-6 mg of CBD per 10 lbs of weight and adjusted to the level of relief they need daily, is a good rule to follow.
Remember, however, that these figures are based on patients looking for pain relief, and may not be perfectly applicable to weight loss. We still need more studies to determine if lower or higher doses are most effective at aiding weight control.
It’s always important to consult your doctor before starting a new supplement. You should ask for personalized advice on your correct dose and if CBD can react with any of your medications.
Conclusion
Let’s face facts: CBD isn’t going to magically make your fat evaporate overnight. You’ll still need to put in the work of eating less, exercising more, and taking better care of yourself. However, it’s clear that CBD has an important role to play. By addressing several of the factors surrounding obesity, CBD could support your weight loss goals by helping you eat less, exercise more, and boosting your mood. If you have any questions about how CBD can help you lose weight, feel free to leave us a comment.
