In the United States, over two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, and millions of Americans try various diets each year. In recent years, CBD has become increasingly popular as a method to lose weight. The jury is out on whether it works: While some people do lose weight using CBD oil, others report an increase in appetite, which is, of course, counterproductive to weight-loss efforts. Still, because CBD can boost the metabolism and reduce body fat, it might be worth trying if your doctor gives you the go-ahead.
How CBD Works for Weight Loss
You might have heard that CBD, a compound from the cannabis plant, can do everything from treat the discomforts of chemotherapy to help ease your anxiety. While there is research being done on these benefits, an additional benefit that you might have heard about is using CBD for weight loss. You might wonder how it works.
You have two types of fat in your body: white and brown. White fat stays in your body and stores energy, while brown fat burns it. Having more brown fat can help you burn calories and lose weight. CBD is thought to work by turning some of your white fat into brown fat. As this happens, your metabolism rate rises and you can burn more calories than you did before. Brown fat also can help suppress the appetite.
In addition, there are other ways that CBD oil can help with weight loss, including affecting the mitochondria and stabilizing insulin levels. All of these benefits are still being researched, so science has not confirmed these benefits, but anecdotes do tend to show that CBD in its various forms can help people lose weight.
Taking CBD to Lose Weight
This full-spectrum CBD oil makes it easy for you to customize the dosage.
The most common way to use CBD to lose weight is to take CBD oil, also sometimes called hemp oil. You want to use a full-spectrum CBD oil to gain the most benefits. The best practice is to use it every day to see benefits over time. Remember that you will not see results right away; you will probably need to use it for at least two weeks to see any results. It is also best to check with your doctor before taking CBD for weight loss, particularly if you have any health concerns or if you are taking any medications (prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal). You might consider looking for an organic CBD oil.
In addition to taking the CBD oil, you should also maintain a healthy diet and exercise most days of the week. You will probably not lose weight if you eat a high-calorie diet and do not exercise, even if you are taking CBD oil. You can use any type of nutrition plan that makes sense for you; you can lose weight effectively with low-carb, high-carb, high-protein, vegan, paleo, and many other types of diets. The key is to take your CBD oil regularly each day and to also stick to the diet plan that you and your doctor have decided is right for you. Check out our article on How to Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes for some additional tips.
Using CBD With THC for Weight Loss
THC is the compound in marijuana that gives people a high. Some CBD oil contains THC and some does not. One side effect of THC is that it tends to stimulate the appetite; this is why many people feel hungry after using marijuana. As you can imagine, this does not bode well for weight loss. When looking at different CBD products for weight loss, you’ll want to choose one with little to no THC. Otherwise, the appetite-stimulating properties of the THC could undo the appetite-suppressing properties of the CBD.
What Doctors Say About CBD for Weight Loss
While some doctors have seen their patients lose weight while taking CBD, others are not so sure that it works. The best thing to do is talk to your specific doctor. He or she knows you and your particular health situation. Your doctor will know if CBD is safe for you and will also be able to advise you on whether you should look for a product with no THC at all or if a small amount of THC is okay for you. He or she will also be able to discuss any potential contraindications based on your medical history and any medications you are taking. Do not stop taking any prescribed medications without talking to your doctor first.
All in all, CBD oil might help you lose weight. For most people, it is safe and can be effective. The most important things to keep in mind are that you should look for a CBD oil with low levels of THC (or no THC) to minimize any appetite stimulation and also that you should check with your doctor to be sure that taking CBD oil is safe for you.
