CBD (Cannabidiol) is a natural compound that is becoming increasingly popular in the field of healthcare. CBD is one of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, and offers numerous potential benefits, from fighting acne to reducing anxiety.
Does CBD oil cause weight loss or weight gain? It’s a controversial topic.
The effects of CBD vary which means it helps people lose weight but might cause weight gain in others.
Every day, more people consider using CBD oil to lose weight and believe that it can aid with weight loss, but does it work? CBD oil can help people lose weight and reduce their chance of having weight-related illnesses such as diabetes and metabolic diseases.
If you want to lose a few extra pounds or start a new diet plan, CBD oil can help you cope with the weight loss process and improve it.
However, CBD has been linked to weight gain in some CBD consumers. This is mainly due to the increase in hunger caused by CBD oil.
If you're worried about gaining weight after starting to take CBD oil, consult your doctor or a trained nutritionist for guidance.
In this article, we’ll discuss how CBD oil can help you lose weight and why some people gain weight after taking CBD oil.
CBD and Weight Loss: How CBD Works?
The body has a built-in endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system responds to various body functions and activities, including sleep, stress, physical pain, memory, immunity, fertility, and metabolism via two cannabinoid (CB) receptors particularly CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Typically, CB1 receptors are found in the brain, central nervous system, and particularly in adipose (fat content) tissue. For this reason, researchers believe there may be a relationship between CB1 receptor activation and weight loss.
CBD doesn’t directly interact with CB1 receptors, instead, it regulates the body's endogenous cannabinoids to either block or activate the receptors. CBD manages food intake and prevents other metabolic disorders, this could help with weight loss.
CBD and Hunger: Why Does CBD Make Me Hungry?
CBD does not directly cause hunger, this is a prevalent misperception among those new to the world of CBD oil.
Hemp includes a high concentration of THC, a psychoactive chemical that interacts with the body's ECS and releases a hunger-inducing chemical in our brain by activating CB1 which controls hunger, thirst, energy, and body temperature.
THC also produces the hunger hormone ghrelin, which signals your brain that you need to eat something. Taking CBD products that contain THC can increase dopamine levels, resulting in munchies and a desire for food.
CBD (Cannabidiol) is very different from THC, which means no hunger, just relief.
If you start feeling hungry after taking CBD oil, it might be a coincidence. However, there is no research and studies that show CBD causes hunger.
Why Am I Gaining Weight on CBD Oil?
CBD Oil Might Cause Weight Gain!
CBD oil controls hunger, thirst, sleep, and immunity by interacting with bodily cannabinoids. In some cases, CBD oil might cause weight gain. It's possible you're eating more because you're hungry, or you're retaining water due to CBD's diuretic impact.
Following are the possible reasons why CBD oil might cause weight gain:
1) CBD Increases Appetite
As we all know CBD manages appetite which could lead to weight gain. In situations like these, scientific studies contradict each other, as some people have claimed that CBD has increased their hunger. Researchers believe it is an individualized reaction that is affected by the CBD product, the method of consumption, and genetics.
If you begin to feel hungry after taking CBD oil, you may need to change your diet and lower your food intake.
2) Higher Body Fat Percentage
The human body is composed of fat, muscles, and water, and the percentage of each differs from person to person. CBD oil might induce weight gain by increasing the amount of fat in your body.
You should check your body fat percentage, and if you find that you have a high body fat percentage, you can try to reduce it by using weight loss dietary supplements and doing strength training activities to develop muscle.
Build muscles to burn more calories!
3) Type of CBD Oil
There are two most common types of CBD oil available in the market: Broad spectrum CBD oil and full spectrum CBD oil.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains all essential hemp extracts but no THC.
On the other hand, full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the same ingredients as broad-spectrum CBD and trace amounts of THC.
THC is an active cannabinoid that releases a hunger hormone. It can increase your food intake, this could result in weight gain.
4) The Diuretic Effects of CBD
The possible diuretic effects of CBD are unclear. However, any cannabis product including THC and CBD might have diuretic properties, these medications are used to speed up urination.
The more you urinate, the more bodily water you lose. This can lead to dehydration, tiredness, and weight gain.
Make sure to drink plenty of water while taking full-spectrum CBD oil.
Does Full Spectrum CBD Make You Hungry?
The cannabis plant, whether hemp or marijuana, contains more than 200 cannabinoids. Full Spectrum CBD oil has high concentrations of CBD including a variety of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and trace amounts of THC.
Full Spectrum CBD can be a helpful supplement for treating obesity problems, but it can't do it all on its own. There are many other natural compounds found in full-spectrum CBD such as terpenes that help the intestinal tract absorb CBD, pass the blood-brain barrier, and delay CBD breakdown in the liver.
These cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work together to boost the effects of full-spectrum CBD, known as the ‘entourage effect’.
However, full-spectrum CBD can make you hungry by improving digestion and food intake which can promote hunger.
Does Hemp Seed Oil Cause Weight Gain?
Hemp seed oil is unlikely to have any significant impact on your weight. It can be a great way to start your weight loss journey, however, it may conversely cause weight gain.
According to studies, CBD increases appetite and hunger in some people. The change in appetite is the most common adverse effect of CBD.
Many researchers claim that the effects of CBD vary which means it helps people lose weight but might cause weight gain in others. Therefore more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD on ECS.
CBD to Burn Fat and Lose Weight
Can CBD Promote Weight Loss? What CBD Dosage Should You Take for Weight Loss?
Generally, there is no exact CBD dosage for weight loss as the effects of CBD varies from person to person, therefore, there is no standard dosage on the market.
According to research, the active Cannabidiol dosage range that can be utilized for weight loss is (1 to 50 mg per kg per day). The dosage range can vary depending on your weight, metabolism, and health conditions.
The amount of CBD you should take for weight loss is highly dependent on your body weight. For example, starting with a high CBD dosage is a great option for heavy adults.
However, start with a low dosage and observe the effects of CBD for a couple of days. Of course, you should always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement. Keep in mind that CBD should not be considered a miracle medicine for weight loss treatment.
FAQs
Can CBD oil cause you to gain weight?
CBD oil can cause weight gain due to the effects of the THC compound. THC releases a hunger hormone that increases food intake, resulting in weight gain.
Can cannabinoids cause weight gain?
In short, yes. CBD is clinically a controversial compound and the long-term use of cannabinoids can cause weight gain.
How does CBD affect fat?
CBD has the ability to burn calories in the body.
CBD turns white fat cells into good fat cells that can help our body burn calories. Fat cells increase the risk of weight-related illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and other metabolic diseases. CBD not only helps convert white fat cells to brown fat cells but also stimulates the body to break down fat more efficiently.
Bottom Line
Everyone’s experience with CBD oil is unique.
CBD oil is safe and well-tolerated, however, it has been linked to weight gain in some CBD consumers. This is mainly due to the increase in hunger caused by CBD oil.
If you're worried about gaining weight after starting to take CBD oil, consult your doctor or a trained nutritionist for guidance. Moreover, lowering your CBD oil dosage or switching to a different type of CBD product can help you maintain a good weight.