Obesity and overweight are major health issues globally. In the United States, according to the CDC, about 73.6% of men and 66.9% of women are overweight, with 42.4% of the population being obese.
We've been exploring whether CBD could be an alternative treatment for weight loss. We're looking at studies and personal experiences, and delving into its effects, possible side effects, and applications.
Are CBD Oil and Hemp Oil the Same?
Let's answer this frequently asked question first:
Cannabidiol is a compound derived from the hemp plant and has little in common with conventional hemp oil. Among many other cannabinoids, CBD can reportedly have calming, anti-inflammatory, and anxiety-reducing effects when ingested.
It's important to distinguish it from conventional hemp oil. Below, we've listed the characteristics of CBD oil and hemp oil:
| CBD Oil | Hemp Oil |
|---|---|
| Derived from the flowers | Derived from the seeds |
| No psychoactive effect | Contains many fatty acids |
| Contains terpenes and flavonoids | Can be used as a cooking oil |
| THC content in the oil is less than 0.3% | Often used as a carrier oil for CBD |
What Does the Obesity (Adiposity) Disease Picture Look Like?
Obesity (Latin: Adiposity) means pathological overweight and is the trigger for various diseases. Here are some characteristics and causes:
- Insulin resistance: With insulin resistance, the body is supplied with too much glucose due to disrupted eating habits, and the body cells are no longer able to absorb it. They become resistant to the insulin signal. The blood sugar level remains high, causing the pancreas to continue to secrete insulin. As a result, the blood sugar level drops abruptly, leading to lethargy, hunger, and the repetition of this cycle.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction: Since the mitochondria are responsible for energy conversion, insulin resistance also leads to a dysfunction of the mitochondria. Healthy mitochondria play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy weight.
- Inflammation: The pancreas can become inflamed due to increased activity. Chronic inflammation can even destroy beta cells (sites where insulin is secreted). Thus, the body produces limited insulin, which can lead to diabetes.
- Fat accumulation: White fat cells are dangerous for the body and hard to break down. Insulin resistance increases the risk of building up white fat cells and damaging the organs.
- Liver damage: If there is an overload in the conversion between stored energies and usable forms of energy in the body (insulin resistance), the liver can suffer permanent damage.
How Does CBD Work for Weight Loss?
In general, Cannabidiol according to current research has calming, anti-inflammatory, and anxiety-relieving effects. In obesity, the compound can be used as CB1 receptors are particularly widespread in adipose tissue. Thus, a connection between the activation of the receptors and overweight as well as metabolic functions could play a role. [1]
The number of mitochondria is increased when ingested, proteins that accelerate fat breakdown are stimulated, and proteins that produce fat cells are blocked. In the following, we will also go into more detail on the effect of CBD on weight loss.
CBD Curbs Appetite
Some researchers believe that Cannabidiol can help lose weight by reducing appetite. Unlike THC, which causes a feeling of hunger. This effect has been observed in the eating behavior of rats.[2]
However, CBD is not comparable to strong appetite suppressants, and not everyone reacts to the intake of CBD with a reduced appetite.
Can CBD Convert Bad Fat into Good Fat?
A study from 2016 suggests that Cannabidiol when ingested can transform white fat cells into brown (good) fat cells [3] and thus accelerate weight loss.
Cannabidiol in Metabolic Disorder
There is a connection between obesity and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. CBD was able to block the CB1 receptors according to a study [4] and thus influence the risk of obesity and metabolic disorders.
Effect of CBD on Insulin Resistance
In a study, all tested active substances (including CBD) increased the ability of the cells to absorb glucose [5]. As soon as we absorb sugar from the blood, less fat is converted and the feeling of hunger is reduced.
In addition to the numerous positive effects, we now also want to take a detailed look at potential side effects.
Does Cannabidiol Have Side Effects in Obesity?
Some side effects that can occur with CBD are:
- Diarrhea
- Feeling of fatigue
- Dizziness
- Mild nausea to vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Dry mouth
Side effects rarely occur and are usually associated with an excessively high dosage.
CBD should be used as a complementary therapy for obesity along with other therapies. A doctor should always be consulted beforehand.
There are two groups of people who should not take Cannabidiol, as the effect is not yet sufficiently researched. These include minors and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Cannabidiol has no psychoactive effect. US guidelines prohibit a THC content above 0.2%. Thus, CBD products with up to 0.2% THC content can be legally offered on the market.
CBD Products & Intake for Overweight
There is a wide range of products with different Cannabidiol content. These include oils, creams, foods, liquids, or capsules.
- CBD Oil is the most popular product and has a CBD content of 5% - 40%. It is taken sublingually, i.e., dropped under the tongue and then swallowed, so that the effect occurs within a few minutes. It is also popular for weight loss, as the active ingredient can quickly unfold its effect in the bloodstream.
- Vaping: The active ingredient is heated and inhaled during vaporization, where it is absorbed through the lungs. The effect occurs immediately.
- Capsules: Similar to the oil, the capsule is taken orally. However, capsules are swallowed directly with some liquid.
- Crystals: Crystals can be used in various ways. They can be vaporized in a vaporizer, mixed with an oil, or taken pure. They consist of pure CBD (98%).
- Gum and foods are only recommended to a limited extent for use against obesity and obesity. Chewing CBD gum could be an alternative when, for example, cravings occur.
CBD can be used acutely or over a longer period, but it should be ensured that a lot of water is drunk throughout the day.
The Right Dosage for Faster Results in Weight Loss
First off: There is no exact formula for how to best take CBD. The right dose depends on weight, severity of the disease picture, and individual tolerance to CBD.
Adults with weight problems should take 25 mg twice a day.
If you have concerns about an overdose, we can reassure you: A toxic overdose of CBD is not known so far. Cannabidiol is not a toxic active ingredient. At high doses, however, the above-mentioned side effects can occur, which usually only last a few hours.
User Experiences with CBD Oil for Weight Loss
Many studies on the topic of CBD and weight loss or the disease picture of obesity are current and confirm earlier assumptions, so we can assume that Cannabidiol can be used as an alternative treatment method.
There are also positive user comments on the topic on the internet:
woodsbyday (reddit):
"CBD is an appetite suppressant. I really believe in it because it has helped me lose 12 pounds (5 kilos) since July. (…)"
SKallday (reddit):
"Started taking CBD three months ago. Down 15 pounds from before, without drastically changing my lifestyle ... from 250 to 232 pounds down ..."
Can CBD Help with Sports?
When losing weight, regular physical activity and sports are essential to achieve quick results.
Endurance and muscle training can push us to our limits. As a result, we suffer from muscle soreness, injuries, and fatigue. To accelerate our muscle growth, increase training performance, or reduce inflammation, CBD seems to be the right supplement for sports.
At least that's what numerous athletes report, who also take the active ingredient against anxiety in competitions and thus increase their performance.
Conclusion
According to studies and experiences, Cannabidiol could help with weight loss and curb appetite. Even in severe diseases, it can be used after consultation with the doctor to counteract obesity. However, pay attention to the correct dosage and reduce the dose if necessary if side effects occur.
Have you already had experiences with Cannabidiol and weight loss? Did our article help you? How did you like it? Feel free to leave a comment!
References
- [1] Rossi, F. et al., Role of cannabinoids in obesity, Int J Mol Sci., 2018
- [2]Farrimond, J. A., et al., Cannabinol and cannabidiol exert opposing effects on rat feeding patterns, Psychopharmacology (Berl.) 2012
- [3]Parray, H. A., & Yun, J. W., Cannabidiol promotes browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 2016
- [4]Ziqi Dong, Hui Gong et al., A Peripheral Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Antagonist,, Front Endocrinol, 2018
- [5] Ramlugon S., Time-dependent effect of phytocannabinoid treatments in fat cells, Phytother Res., 2018