You have probably heard that people who use cannabis often get the “munchies,” so it seems contradictory that it can help with weight loss. After all, if you’re eating more when you’re using cannabis, you’re adding calories to your diet, not losing them.
However, recent research shows that some strains of marijuana can help you lose weight in addition to promoting other healthy habits that encourage weight loss.
Munchies Are (Somewhat) a Myth
The first thing to realize is that the munchies that are anecdotally connected to marijuana use aren’t really as bad as they are reputed to be. For instance, studies in mice show that the active ingredient in marijuana, THC, show that the more obese the mouse, the more weight it lost while being using THC over a four-week period.
It’s important to realize that these mice were fed marijuana, so the weight loss effects may not be realized if you consume cannabis by smoking or inhaling it. The reason is that ingested THC changes the flora in the stomach to aid in weight loss.
Long-term users of marijuana are typically thinner than those who abstain, but more research is needed to really understand why.
The good news is that it doesn’t appear that the “munchies” that are associated with marijuana lead to weight gain, so even if you don’t lose weight from using cannabis, you’re probably not going to gain it either.
Sleeping Well is a Catalyst for Weight Loss
Research over the years has proven that people who do not sleep well or who have poor sleep habits tend to weigh more than those who get an adequate amount of quality sleep. Humans burn a significant number of calories while they’re sleeping, so getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis can help you better manage your weight.
Additionally, a lack of sleep increases hunger, which leads to eating more than is necessary. CBD is well-known for its relaxation-inducing properties, and relaxation can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Search out cannabis strains with high levels of CBD to benefit from the calming effects of marijuana use and increase your ability to fall asleep quickly.
Studies have also illustrated that CBD improves the REM stage of sleep, which is the most important stage for restfulness. While you’re not guaranteed to lose weight by getting more sleep, it certainly makes you healthier and gives your body the best chance to burn excess calories in your downtime.
Motivation for Exercise
Motivation is another word that is not usually associated with marijuana; however, in addition to its calming effects, CBD is also known to increase a person’s focus. This means that you can get tasks done that you normally put off due to a lack of motivation, tasks like exercise.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to push yourself to get the exercise you know you need to lose weight, but by using a strain that is high in CBD, you may be able to work past that reluctance and focus on getting your workout in.
Conclusion
As marijuana use becomes more mainstream, there will be an increased interest in how cannabis can be used for health-related purposes, including weight loss.
For now, it’s clear that there are already some weight loss benefits to using CBD and THC, particularly in helping you get more sleep and exercise to set you up better for weight loss success.
