CBD and Appetite Reduction
Cannabis is a hot topic these days, and recent studies that delve into the relationship of one of its main compounds — CBD, and appetite control would suggest that things are only going to get hotter from here. So, what is the actual relationship between CBD and appetite control and appetite reduction?
According to a 2018 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Science, CBD has the potential to reduce appetite and prevent overeating. This is due to its effect on other molecules. Molecules that can, in a sense, deactivate the receptors in the human body that stimulates appetite.
That’s not all, of course. In order to know all that there is to learn about this topic. We’re going to have to look a little deeper. So, if you want to learn more about CBD and appetite control, continue reading.
Debunking Popular Myths
There are a couple of big misconceptions when it comes to Cannabis. A lot of what people know is spread through word of mouth, and certain things about it just can’t be explained in black and white without really getting into the science.
For example, did you know that CBD can’t get you high? It’s a natural compound that is found in cannabis, but it’s not the cannabinoid that has people swimming in cloud nine. No, that compound is called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and it couldn’t possibly be any more different from CBD. Let’s break that down first.
THC - Appetite Stimulant?
When people talk about the ‘munchies’ that they get as a result of taking cannabis, it’s because of THC. THC has been known to stimulate the appetite in many ways, which can lead to cravings for sweets and fatty food.
Be that as it may, strangely enough, this doesn’t necessarily mean that THC makes you fat. In fact, according to this other 2018 study, the opposite rings true — which means, that regular cannabis users seem to experience reduced body mass index, at least, when compared to non-cannabis users..
CBD - Weight Loss?
Okay, but how about CBD? We already discussed its ability to potentially lead to reduced appetite. However, does it really work in the way people seem to think it does?
Unfortunately, that’s a no. Because, even though CBD has been positively related to appetite suppression and fat burn, it’s as much of a miracle cure as everything else in the market right now. Which basically means, that it’s not.
If someone is using CBD oil on its own, without changing their diet or actively exercising. Their likelihood of actually losing weight as a result of it is near zero. Because that’s just not how it works!
To make things perfectly clear, let’s look at all the promised benefits of CBD, and break it all down by level of effectiveness.
The Science of CBD
If we were to look at things from the molecular level, there are things that stand out. There’s the effect of THC on something called CB1 receptors, and then there’s the effect of CBD on other molecules in the body that can affect those same CB1 receptors.
That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense right now, but this is where the science comes in, and it’s also why it was so important that we break down the misconceptions that we talked about earlier before going into it too deep.
CB1 Receptors and Appetite
The key to understanding all of this, is knowing what CB1 receptors are. These natural occur in the human body and are found primarily in the brain. They’re also in charge of certain processes, like stimulating appetite.
Now, as an example, when it comes to the relationship between CB1 receptors and THC, things are pretty clear cut. THC activates these receptors in order to stimulate appetite (among other things.) However, the relationship between CB1 receptors and CBD compounds are a little more complicated.
Rather than affecting these cannabinoid receptors directly, CBD works by effectively ‘blocking’ off an enzyme that is in charge of breaking down something called anandamide, which is what produces these CB1 receptors.
Hence, it’s effect on decreasing appetite is as such... It doesn’t stop CB1 receptors, but it blocks it from stimulating appetite too quickly.
So, Does CBD Actually Work?
Okay, science aside, let’s really break it down here and talk about what it does to appetite and how it does it. So, we know that it doesn’t decrease appetite. That’s just not how CBD works.
No, it works by blocking off the molecules in our brains that want to stimulate appetite. This is what we were talking about earlier and why we said that it won’t really work for weight loss unless you’re actively exercising and eating healthier.
CBD is not going to stop you from eating, or make you feel full. It just helps keep you from wanting to eat more than you should. That is a proven fact.
Conclusion: CBD and Appetite Control - The Surprising Relationship
So, that’s the surprising relationship between CBD and appetite control. It’s not the miracle cure that some people claim it is, almost nothing ever is. However, that also doesn’t mean that it’s a scam.
Because, it does work, and it can help you from overeating — if that’s something that you’re struggling with currently.
Just remember to not put all your eggs in one basket. Try it out, see if it helps you, but if your goal here is to lose weight and be more healthy… then you’re going to have to work a little more for it than just using any of the so-called quick ‘cures’ that pop-up every year.
We offer complete support on weight loss, and always remind our customers that to get the full benefit of the CBD in our product you need to be in a calorie deficit!