By Max Sargent Reviewed by: Erin Willis

Understanding the connection between cannabis, CBD, and metabolism.


As any dieter will tell you, losing weight is hard. It's also a very personal journey to take. For some, it amounts to limiting alcohol; for others, it's a symptom of modern-day tension.

Whether you work too much or have children, there’s never enough hours in the day. Then, for those of us who like to relax with a joint at the end of it, you inevitably wind up with the munchies.

Recently, the internet has been abuzz with reports that CBD oil is a promising alternative weight loss supplement. But how true are these claims, exactly? Is CBD good for weight loss?

Potentially, but not directly.

Let us explain.

The Endocannabinoid System and Metabolism

What the science all boils down to is our old friend, the endocannabinoid system. Named after the plant that led to its discovery, the ECS is what helps cannabinoids—such as CBD or THC—interact with our body.

Concerning the ECS and weight loss/metabolism, we know it's directly connected to energy storage and transporting nutrients. As a result, it helps regulate everything from mood and sleep to temperature and inflammation. One study even found the endocannabinoid system to stimulate areas of the body[1] involved in metabolism, such as the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas.

As far as the science goes, the endocannabinoid system is made up of metabolic enzymes that stimulate various parts of the body. It does this primarily via two endogenous compounds—anandamide and 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol)[2]—that target CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body. Given that cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with these receptors too, it stands to reason that cannabis might be able to aid metabolism and/or weight loss in some respect.

While research on the endocannabinoid system and metabolism is still mounting, we're learning more about it every year.

Anandamide Breaking Down

Marijuana and Weight Loss: What's the Connection?

Although we all reach for the nearest snack after a good high, marijuana use doesn't equate to obesity. In fact, in one study, scientists found that regular cannabis users are less likely to be obese. What it boils down to are two factors: terminology and individuality.

When it comes to weed, most use "cannabis" and "marijuana" interchangeably. However, they're not the same in this context. Cannabis is the name for the plant, while marijuana is the name for the psychoactive buds it produces—its crop, so to speak. And while cannabis is made up of hundreds of cannabinoid compounds, the main one in marijuana is THC.

But when it comes to weight loss, it all boils down to CBD.

CBD and Metabolism

All cannabinoids have different effects, but they tend to have similar or complementary interactions with the ECS. There are four main ways in which CBD may be able to affect or alter our metabolism.

  • Mitochondrial Function

If you remember only one thing from science class, it's got to be: mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. You might even say it's the spice of life.

Mitochondria convert sugars, fats, and proteins into the energy that sustains our bodies. Thus, mitochondrial imbalances can affect the way we burn energy, making it harder to lose weight. As a result, fixing those imbalances can greatly increase metabolic health and kick things back into gear.

CBD appears to regulate mitochondrial activity[3], whipping our ECS into shape, which then helps us achieve metabolic balance, or homeostasis. With that in mind, could CBD combined with diet and exercise possibly increase the rate at which we burn fat? Let's examine that a bit closer.

  • Fat Browning

Fat is a complicated macronutrient. We automatically think of it as a bad thing. Scientifically speaking, however, that isn't the case. On the contrary, there are actually two types of fat in our body: the good fat (brown), and the bad (white).

White fat is predominant: It's the fat we developed to keep us from starving when we were but cave-dwelling creatures. White fat stores and supplies our body with energy, cushioning our organs for extreme scenarios we won't face in our lifetimes. As a result, white fat can really mess with the metabolism. Brown fat, on the other hand, generates heat and burns calories.

A study published in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry administered CBD to white fat cells, looking for any signs of conversation[4] into brown fat cells. Overall, human trials are needed to see how cannabidiol impacts body fat composition.

CBD and Metabolism

  • Insulin Regulation

In order to keep the body safe, the liver removes toxins and converts excess sugars into insulin. These sugars come from basically everything we put into our bodies, be it fruit or beer. From there, it's passed on to the pancreas, which sends it to the cells.

Irregular insulin levels can overload the liver and pancreas, throwing the body out of whack. Furthermore, too much insulin in the bloodstream means we can't burn fat. Consequently, you're going to have a much harder time dropping the pounds.

Ongoing animal studies continue to administer CBD to mice in hopes of finding signs of anti-diabetic effects[5].

  • Appetite Suppression

Marijuana (led by THC) is an appetite stimulant. As a result, some doctors prescribe medical marijuana to chemotherapy patients whose appetites have been affected. Of course, anyone who's gotten the munchies will probably cosign that in a heartbeat.

While it's true that THC makes you hungry, this is not the case with CBD. Believed to be more of an appetite suppressant, isolated CBD will not have you shoving sweets into your face. Instead, as a 2012 study on rats shows, it is more likely to reduce food intake[6].

Does CBD Help You Lose Weight?

CBD is not a one-size-fits-all weight loss solution. In fact, some people might actually gain weight when using it. With research still being so new, it's going to take some time until we know more about CBD's effects on our metabolism.

For now, the best way to see if it works for you, individually, is to pay attention to how—or if—your appetite changes while using high-CBD strains or oils.

Does Smoking Weed Promote Weight Loss?

No. It's very rare that smoking weed will help you lose weight.

However, experts believe it can help with some of the underlying factors related to obesity, such as promoting healthy sleep and lowering tension.

Why Does Cannabis Make You Hungry?

That familiar craving you get when you're high comes down to THC; the same compound that gets you high. Although research is still in its infancy, one study published in Nature Neuroscience[7] gets us a bit closer to figuring out why.

THC increases the pleasure we get from certain things; therefore, if there’s chocolate in the fridge, it'll taste even better when you’re high than it does normally. One way to fix this “issue” is to have healthier alternatives at hand for when the munchies hit. Let’s face it, you'll gain less weight with carrot sticks than you would a slice of cake.

Why Does Cannabis Make You Hungry?

Controversy of Using CBD or Marijuana for Weight Loss

While there are potential benefits to using CBD for weight loss, there are plenty of controversies to even the playing field.

The biggest issue is that there haven't been any studies into using CBD to lose weight directly, at least not in humans. Although animal studies exist, we won't have real answers until we know its effects on us. For now, everything is just conjecture.

In a study in the American Journal of Medicine, researchers found that marijuana use offered a 17% reduction in fasting insulin[8]. That being said, a different study in Translational Psychiatry found that increased ECS activity[9] may lead to insulin resistance and obesity.

Similarly, in the case of a study that indicated lower rates of obesity in cannabis smokers, its authors go on to say weed shouldn’t be relied upon[10] as a dietary aid. Their study simply didn't indicate a clear relationship between marijuana and weight loss.

Cannabis, Metabolism, and Weight Loss: The Bottom Line

The bottom line is, there's no evidence that smoking weed can help you lose weight. Moreover, adding CBD into a weight loss plan without exercising or maintaining a healthy diet likely won't do much either.

On the other hand, adding CBD to a healthy exercise and eating plan could be an excellent complement, thanks to its versatility and overall support of the ECS. At the very least, there is nothing to indicate that taking CBD will make you gain weight.

External Resources:
  1. The endocannabinoid system and energy metabolism - PubMed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Cannabidiol Targets Mitochondria to Regulate Intracellular Ca2+ Levels https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Cannabidiol promotes browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes - PubMed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Cannabidiol lowers incidence of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Cannabinol and cannabidiol exert opposing effects on rat feeding patterns - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. The endocannabinoid system controls food intake via olfactory processes | Nature Neuroscience http://dx.doi.org
  8. DEFINE_ME https://www.amjmed.com
  9. Effects of oral, smoked, and vaporized cannabis on endocrine pathways related to appetite and metabolism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, human laboratory study | Translational Psychiatry https://rdcu.be
  10. Marijuana users weigh less, defying the munchies | MSUToday | Michigan State University https://msutoday.msu.edu
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

Cookies settings

We are requesting your permission to use your data for the reasons stated below:

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data from a particular website that get stored on a user’s computer while they’re surfing the internet. Cookies have several different functions. Some of them track browser activity that enables businesses to deliver targeted advertisements. Other cookies serve to remember user login details to different websites to make jumping on social media, or other sites, a more fluid process. Because each cookie has its own unique ID, these pieces of data allow website owners to measure the unique traffic coming into their site.

Why do we use cookies?

Cookies come in handy when you visit our website. They ensure you stay logged in, that you can shop safely, and that the items you add to your cart stay there before you make a purchase. But cookies also help us. The data they provide allow us to improve our website and enable us to present you with targeted advertisements that are compatible with your interests.

What kind of cookies do we use?

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

How can I disable or delete cookies?

Not a fan of cookies? No worries. You can disable them (with the exception of necessary cookies) in your browser settings. However, blocking cookies may impact your browsing experience and prevent you from enjoying all of the technical features of our site.

Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: