CBD for Weight Loss, Could it Work for You?

This article has been medically reviewed by Doctor Ramlah Tariq FCPS on/gyn, RMP, MBBS, BSc.

CBD for weight loss

By now you might be thinking, CBD is magic. It may help with anything from anxiety to period pains, mood swings and inflammation. But, did you know that CBD may also help with weight loss? You can read the research on CBD with its proposed weight loss qualities and side effects here

There are a few ways in which this cannabinoid may help to reduce your waist line.

In a recent research, CBD possesses following important qualities when it comes to weight loss.

1. Enhances the breakdown and oxidation of fat by expression of necessary genes
2. Increases the body’s ability to burn more calories by increasing number and activity of mitochondria in cells
3. Decreases lipogenesis (fat cell generation) by inhibiting proteins necessary for lipogenesis

In this blog, we are going to explain how CBD could be the way to help you shrink into your summer dress and back it up with scientific research. 

CBD might turn bad fats into good fats (browning of fats)

There has been some evidence to suggest that CBD enables your body to break down fats and turn bad fat into good fats. Fat isn’t a bad thing, in fact, our bodies need it, especially as women. However, too much bad fat is not good. 

Therefore, it is a promising therapeutic agent for weight loss. READ HERE

Moreover, CBD also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant qualities which makes it a potential agent to reduce body fat while in comparison, THC is not useful for weight loss. READ HERE

CBD may help with sleep and therefore weight loss

Have you ever noticed that when you have had a shocker of a night sleep that the next day all you can think about is cake and carbs? This is because your body is craving energy. Since you had very little sleep (pesky period cramps keeping you up) you might find yourself giving in to cravings you would usually fight. Those petrol station snacks seem to call louder when your energy is in low reserve. 

Apart from that, it has been proved that sleep quality and duration directly affect body’s fat reserves. In case of disturbed sleep pattern, your weight increases.

CBD may help you to get a good night’s rest. In fact, that is why some of our customers use CBD oil and a reason why founder, Rachel, does. If you are struggling to get some shut-eye then have a dose of CBD to help you unwind and relax, quieten those thoughts and drift off to sleep. Better sleep = Good body regulation of nutrients and less likely to fall into the temptation of high-calorie snacks. In this way CBD may help with weight loss.

CBD may boost your metabolism

Research has found that CBD may boost your metabolism in a few different ways. One is that it increases the body’s ability to burn calories by boosting the mitochondria in the cells. It also is said to decrease proteins that are used to make fat cells and helps to breakdown and oxidize fat. 

CBD may reduce your appetite 

While cannabis is known to give you the munchies, CBD isn’t. This is because of THC levels which are absent in CBD. I don’t want to tell you how to suck eggs, but to lose weight you need to eat fewer calories than you are burning. Fancy diet or no fancy diet, that is the science. 

CBD doesn’t encourage you to reach for 6 bags of Doritos and a pack of giant buttons as it does not contain THC. There was a study 2012 that looked at the effect of CBD, CBN and CBG on a rats appetite. It was found that while CBN increased it, CBD and CBG decreased it.  Another study showed CB1 receptor-mediated modulation of food intake in mice which proved, CBD reduces appetite. Being “less-hungry” means you will eat fewer calories. 

Another research showed that endocannabinoid system is stimulated towards weight loss and decreased food intake with CBD oil intake.

CBD may regulate endcannabinoid system for weight loss 

CBD works on CB1 and CB2 receptors of endocannabinoid system and regulates it towards weight loss. This scientific jargon is difficult to understand. Endocannabinoid system is a system in our body that balances our metabolism, appetite, immune response, communications between cells, memory et cetera and CBD steers it towards weight loss. CB2 mediated weight loss

While CBD won’t be a magic potion to magically reduce your dress size and boost weight loss, it could help indirectly. Make sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet, move more and make sure you are getting a good night sleep.