Even if you don’t use weed, you’ve probably heard of the munchies – that uncontrollable urge to consume everything after consuming cannabis or smoking weed.
Others, on the other hand, swear that smoking marijuana/weed makes them eat less and helps them lose weight. Cannabis use is linked to a reduction in body weight, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
Here’s what we know and don’t know about the link between cannabis smoking and weight reduction.
Is smoking weed directly related to weight loss?
A 2011 study concluded that obesity rates were more significant among persons who said they didn’t use cannabis than those who said they used it at least three times a week.
Another study analysed the link between cannabis and obesity in young people came to identical conclusions shortly before those findings were published.
Recently, a meta-analysis of the association between cannabis usage and BMI (body mass index) found that marijuana users had lower BMIs and obesity rates but a higher calorie intake.
So, why can weed lower the chance of obesity?
According to experts, there are a few reasons why cannabis use is related to a lower BMI and a lower risk of obesity.
It has the potential to improve mobility
When taken correctly, cannabis can ease stiffness and pain, meaning that those with mobility issues may find that consuming marijuana will allow them to move more and be more active.
It has the ability to reduce stress
Stress eating is a serious problem. When people are worried and anxious, research suggests that they are more inclined to overeat and turn to comfort foods such as junk food. It’s no new news that weed can help you unwind when you’re feeling anxious. Some believe that for some people, this could be a great alternative to stress eating.
Some people may drink less as a result of it
Some experts believe that cannabis users who are younger in age consume less alcohol than non-cannabis users. This means they aren’t consuming calories from alcoholic beverages, which could lead to a reduced BMI.
It might help you sleep better
Sleep deprivation can contribute to weight gain. Cannabis has been proven to help people sleep better and sounder. It may also aid to reduce stress and discomfort, two of the most common causes of bad and interrupted sleep.
It has the potential to increase metabolism
Cannabis appears to interact with cannabinoid receptor 1, which regulates metabolism and food intake, according to some studies. Cannabis appears to boost metabolism while lowering energy storage, resulting in a reduced BMI.
What about ‘munchies’?
When persons who have used cannabis feel a rush of hunger, known as the ‘munchies’, it is considered that the molecule THC in the substance is to blame.
Scientific evidence suggests that cannabis can enhance hunger and, as a result, body mass in people who consume more calories than they require on any given day. So, how can people be eating more but still lose weight?
This is something that researchers are still trying to balance and figure out. What we know so far is that THC, the psychoactive ingredient responsible for weed’s “high,” has been demonstrated to stimulate appetite. It’s for this reason that cannabis is occasionally used as an appetite stimulant. CBD, on the other hand, appears to counteract some of THC’s effects, such as appetite stimulation and mood alteration.
Conclusion
Smoking weed does not appear to produce weight loss. In fact, using marijuana produces a surge in appetite (‘the munchies’), which can lead to weight gain. Scientists are discovering that cannabis and the endocannabinoid system are linked to appetite, energy control, and metabolism as they continue to research it. Despite some encouraging research on the endocannabinoid system and obesity, scientists have yet to establish a definitive link between marijuana use and weight loss.