How Does CBD Affect Appetite?

How Does CBD Affect Appetite?

| Spencer Beaudreault

The effects of CBD on the human body have been studied for quite some time now.

Since the Farm Bill of 2018 effectively opened the doors for further study and manufacturing of CBD on a wider scale, CBD has been further thrust into the limelight as a sort of wonder drug in some manners. It is believed by many that the use of CBD products can lead to a happier, healthier, and more pain free life for millions of individuals suffering from a plethora of various aches, pains, and ailments.

Some studies, however, have indicated that the use of CBD can provide relief from more than chronic pain and anxiety. In fact, many individuals are hailing CBD as a cannabinoid that has great use in the medical world of weight loss.

weight loss scale with measuring tape and an apple

Can individuals use CBD for weight loss effectively? What is the relationship between CBD and weight loss, if any? Does CBD increase appetite, or suppress it?

In order to effectively gauge the possibility as to whether or not CBD weight loss would be an effective method to lose weight, we first must discuss some of the key specifics of just how CBD affects the body.

 

CBD And Weight Loss

It is no secret that The United States of America has a problem with obesity. The CDC estimates that 73.6% of Americans over the age of 20 are overweight, and goes on to further state that 42.5% of Americans aged 20 or older would be considered by health professionals to be obese. These numbers are alarming, as obesity can lead to extreme health complications and disorders such as diabetes, liver problems, heart disease, and is one of the leading causes of preventable death in this country. Obesity may also increase the risk of several cancers including colon cancer, ovarian cancer, liver, esophagus, and breast cancer to name a few.

With this high level of obesity comes a plethora of fad diets that many jump to in the hopes that they can shed the weight and go on to live longer and healthier lifestyles. With a quick Google search, you can find a fad diet incorporating any food. The results of these fad diets, however, may vary.

So, is using CBD for weight loss in this same category? Or is there a real relationship between CBD and weight loss that we have yet to fully uncover?

cbd oil tincture with cbd plant

Some believe that contrary to whatever latest diet craze is sweeping the nation at a given time, CBD is reliable for both weight loss as well as weight gain, depending on the circumstances and goals of the individual using the cannabinoid.

But how can that be?

How can we both use CBD for weight loss as well as using CBD to help put on weight? Does CBD increase appetite? What is the CBD appetite relationship?

And, perhaps the most common question regarding CBD weight loss specifics, will I have to worry about binge eating when using CBD products?

Well, not exactly.

This can partially be answered in the use of CBD for appetite management overall.

You see, CBD has the ability to both stimulate as well as suppress the appetite of an individual, depending on the specific reasons as to why the individual is using CBD. This is due to the unique effect that CBD and most all other cannabinoids react with an individual’s endocannabinoid system. This will be different for each individual. However, CBD does not generally lead to binge eating in the same way that some individuals describe THC leads them to do so. CBD can however relax the digestive system and help lessen any digestive pain or inflammation that an individual may be experiencing. This could, in theory, allow an individual to eat without dealing with any pain or inflammation preventing them from doing so.

Take an individual who has ulcerative colitis, for example.

It is not uncommon for those who suffer from an IBD to go a day or two without eating a full meal. This is often because they are experiencing extreme intestinal pain or inflammation which leads to nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. This individual may be repulsed at the idea of trying to eat or may decide that the pain that comes along with eating is not worth attempting to do so.

man with increased appetite

CBD may provide them with the ability to eat and keep food down. Does CBD increase appetite in this specific situation? Perhaps. Does this mean that the individual will now be hungry when using CBD? No.

On the contrary, an individual who is actively exercising and dieting may be looking for a method in which they can feel content without binging on junk food. The use of CBD may in fact provide them with the mental comfort and relaxation to not obsess over food, and may also suppress their appetite enough so that they fight off these urges and cravings and stick to their healthy lifestyle.

CBD is not a one-size-fits-all compound. Really, no substance is. While CBD is heavily supported by individuals from all walks of life who are dealing with a wide variety of ailments, it will affect each individual differently. However, it can in fact provide mental calmness and clarity in individuals who may deal with anxiety. A common occurrence for those who suffer from anxiety would be binge eating.

You see, much of the obesity problem in America can be attributed to three key underlying problems.

  1. Poor eating habits. A lack of proper education and focus on the importance of eating healthier may in fact be a leading reason why so many Americans go on to struggle with their weight.
  2. A lack of exercise. A willingness for many individuals to put exercise on the backburner in place of other issues that they perceive as more important has led to a sedentary population who may own a gym membership, but rarely ever set foot in that gym.
  3. An unhealthy relationship with food. Many individuals tend to binge on fast food or junk food, especially when they are dealing with high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, or simply feel too tired after a long day at work to make healthier choices for dinner. This convenience factor mixed with an already toxic relationship with food can lead to many families opting for the drive thru in place of a home cooked meal.

The issue is that these three problems are so common that they can be visibly noticed. We all know someone whose dietary and lifestyle choices fall into one of these categories. We ourselves may find ourselves making these choices in some instances. In American society, this is simply the reality. The silver lining, however, is that the use of CBD has been supported by many users as having the ability to remedy some of these problems.

woman on a scale smiling and checking her weight loss

While using CBD is not going to make you drop twenty pounds on it’s own, and CBD is not going to be able to remedy poor eating habits, it may in fact have the ability to assist with both a lack of exercise as well as having an unhealthy relationship with food. Here’s how:

 

CBD For Appetite: The Potential Link Between CBD And Weight Loss

CBD is used by many athletes in a wide variety of sports and competition in order to help remedy both pain and inflammation that would make training and competing nearly impossible. For those who may be worried about dealing with muscle soreness and potential injury while exercising, the use of CBD may allow them to manage both soreness as well as any minor injury or inflammation that they may be experiencing as the result of regular exercise. This would not only make further exercise more feasible, but allow the individual to not worry as much about the upcoming soreness that comes as the result of running or lifting weights. By allowing the individual to exercise regularly, this will make their goals of losing weight much more reachable.

In addition to the assistance with exercise pains, CBD may also address the underlying issue associated with appetite management or suppression: the unhealthy relationship with food.

appetite and weight loss food

Many individuals report that they will binge eat in times of high stress, depression, anxiety, or simply out of sheer boredom. Whatever the time that this binge eating occurs, it is nearly always the result of some underlying issue associated with using food to escape an emotion or situation. CBD has shown in many studies to assist with anxiety and racing thoughts, while also allowing users to better manage or make sense of stress. In theory, if we can effectively use CBD to manage the underlying issues associated with binge eating, then we may in fact be able to minimize the act itself, and allow individuals to finally gain control of their own eating habits. By addressing these very real and very common problems, we can help to suppress the appetite that those suffering from these situations are experiencing. The CBD appetite discussion requires further study before we can unanimously claim CBD as an effective weight loss tool, but the arguments are compelling.

There are many reasons why an individual may turn to CBD for assistance with their respective illnesses or disorders. For those who are looking for an effective, safe, and all-natural method to assist with managing their appetite, CBD may very well be what they need. Consult with your doctor before you begin use of CBD products, and make sure to research each product before use!

Click here for more information on the potential benefits of CBD products.

Spencer Beaudreault

Spencer Beaudreault is the Founder of Hero Brands, a Business Development & Marketing Expert, and a lifelong advocate & user of cannabis, hemp, & plant-based alternatives.
Tags: CBD