Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occuring molecule that is getting a lot of attention in the natural health community. Some individuals believe that CBD can help them lose weight, but does it really work?
CBD is one of the cannabinoids contained in the cannabis plant, which is one of many. Another cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. THC is a cannabinoid that has been linked to schizophrenia. There is no proof that CBD produces a euphoric feeling.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of CBD for the treatment of uncommon kinds of epilepsy and certain causes of seizures, which are the only applications for which it has been approved. All other applications are considered off-label.
While some research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may be a promising treatment for several health problems — such as chronic pain relief, improved sleep, and inflammation reduction — there is not enough data to prove that it is beneficial for any of these conditions at the present time.
The notion that CBD can assist people in losing weight and reducing their chance of developing diseases related with obesity, such as diabetes and metabolic disorder, is also being investigated by researchers.
In this post, we will explore the current studies on the effects of CBD on weight loss. We also take a look at the potential dangers and legal status of CBD.
Is Cannabidiol (CBD) legal? CBD products derived from hemp that contain less than 0.3 percent THC are allowed under federal law, but they are still banned under several state regulations. CBD-derived products manufactured from cannabis, on the other hand, are prohibited under federal law but allowed under some state regulations. When travelling, especially in foreign countries, always sure to check local legislation. It’s also important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved nonprescription CBD products, which may be labelled incorrectly.
CBD and weight loss
Because of the way CBD affects the body and the brain, it may be beneficial for weight loss.
The way CBD interacts with the body’s endogenous endocannabinoid system accounts for a substantial part of the effects of CBD in the body. It is controlled by two cannabinoid (CB) receptors, which are referred to as the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which respond to various compounds in the body.
The brain and central nervous system contain the greatest number of CB1 receptors. The immune system is the primary site of CB2 receptor activity.
CB1 receptors, on the other hand, become more prevalent in people who are obese, particularly in fatty liver tissue. Scientists believe that there may be a connection between the activation of CB1 receptors and obesity as a result of this.
CBD interacts with other cannabinoids to possibly activate a wide range of receptors, including those for the endocannabinoid system and serotonin. In the case of weight reduction or other key metabolic processes, this may be of assistance.
Research result
In rare cases, there is evidence that CBD can aid in weight loss or the prevention of metabolic problems in some individuals.
Reduces the desire to eat
The majority of CBD proponents believe that CBD can assist a person in losing weight by suppressing their appetite.
The majority of people link cannabis with a stronger level of hunger, which is understandable given that people tend to feel hungry after consuming cannabis. While THC has been linked to increased hunger, there is little evidence that CBD has the same effect.
When THC stimulates the CB1 receptor, it causes the production of a hormone that encourages the consumption of food. CB1 receptor antagonists, on the other hand, according to the findings of a 2018 study, may aid in the reduction of hunger and the control of obesity. This is due to the fact that CB1 receptor antagonists inhibit or “deactivate” the receptor’s function.
The authors also point out that stimulating the CB2 receptors reduces inflammation as well as food consumption, which may aid in the reduction of obesity, according to them.
An previous animal study from 2012 discovered that rats’ appetites were lowered after being exposed to CBD. There have been no direct tests conducted on humans to demonstrate that it suppresses appetite.
It transforms harmful fat into beneficial fat
Proponents of CBD for weight loss also assert that it has the ability to transform white, or “bad,” fat into brown fat, which they claim can aid the body’s ability to burn calories.
White fat has been linked to an increased risk of developing a variety of chronic illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes.
This claim is supported by a study conducted in 2016. The researchers discovered that cannabidiol (CBD) has a variety of functions in the body’s interactions with fat.
CBD was found to aid in the conversion of white fat cells into brown fat cells in the study. Additionally, it boosted the body’s ability to break down fats more effectively.
The researchers point out that while CBD appears to be a promising medication for obesity prevention, additional study in humans is needed to confirm this.
According to research released in 2018, CBD may assist to break down fats in the body. Interestingly, the process of converting white fat cells to brown fat cells has the effect of altering the way these cells behave in the body.
Brown fat cells may be a more active form of fat than other types of fat. They release energy in the form of heat, which means that they actually burn calories.
Because losing calories is essential for weight loss, CBD may aid in fat burning if it causes white fat to be converted to brown fat in the body.
Reduces the likelihood of developing metabolic problems
According to previous 2018 study, there is a strong association between obesity and a number of metabolic illnesses, including:
Overactivation of the CB receptors in the body may be a contributing factor to this phenomenon. Overactivation of CB1 receptors in adipose tissue throughout the body may contribute to obesity as well as metabolic concerns.
A study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research also emphasises some of the most significant findings from previous studies on CBD and metabolic variables in animals.
For example, a CBD treatment lowered total cholesterol in obese rats by 25 percent when administered intravenously. It was shown that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of CBD were also associated with a reduction in blood sugar levels and a rise in markers of liver health.
Risks and factors to consider
However, while preliminary findings from studies on CBD and weight loss suggest some intriguing possible correlations, there are a few essential considerations to keep in mind.
A treatment for obesity with CBD or any other chemical, supplement, or medicine is not available at this time. These supplements and chemicals are not intended to be a healthy substitute for a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
People who add CBD to their weight reduction regimen without also engaging in physical activity and eating healthfully may find that they do not see any benefits.
When it comes to utilising CBD for weight loss, it is best to consult with a medical professional. Doctors will want to know about any other drugs that the patient is taking because CBD may have a harmful effect on them.
Because the FDA does not monitor CBD products in the same manner that it regulates medicines, firms may mislabel or misrepresent their goods in order to gain market share. As a result, it is quite crucial to conduct thorough research and select a high-quality product.
Legal status
It is allowed to grow hemp and produce hemp-derived goods with a THC concentration of less than 0.3 percent, according to the Farm Bill, which was signed into law in the United States in late 2018.
The legal status of CBD and other cannabinoids, on the other hand, differs from state to state. If a person in the United States is considering using CBD, they may find out more about the legislation in their area here.
Conclusion
Because the federal government continues to ban the use of and research on cannabis, there is limited data to support CBD’s health benefits in humans. As cannabis becomes legalised in more and more jurisdictions throughout the world, research into the plant is becoming more prevalent and yielding some encouraging results.
The preliminary findings of studies on CBD and weight loss are encouraging, and they may spur more investigation into the possibility of a link.
It is crucial to note, however, that no direct evidence has been found to demonstrate that CBD causes consistent weight loss in individuals in studies.
CBD should not be used in place of any other medications for chronic diseases that a person is currently taking. If someone is considering using CBD for any reason, they should consult with a doctor first because it may interact with their current prescriptions.
Sources
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- https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2018/12/14/the-farm-bill-hemp-and-cbd-explainer/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/
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