CBD for Weight Loss: How Does It Affect Appetite and Body Weight?

Obesity and body weight control is a topic of ongoing interest, which has captured the attention of people around the world, whether for reasons related to medical health, disease prevention or even aesthetic goals associated with physical well-being. With the rise of CBD products, such as CBD oils, gummies, CBD sports drinks and other edibles, the question has arisen as to whether this non-psychoactive compound in cannabis could have benefits in regulating body weight.

Many people question: Does CBD influence obesity? Does CBD modify appetite, can it help to lose weight, or can it help to control body weight? In this article, we will explore the scientific findings to clarify these concerns.

What is CBD and How Does it Work?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the active compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not produce the “high” sensation associated with marijuana use. Its popularity has grown due to its potential therapeutic benefits, which include anxiety reduction, pain relief and, more recently, possible aid in weight management.

The role of the endocannabinoid system in body weight.

To understand the potential impact of CBD on body weight, it is crucial to understand how the endocannabinoid system works in the body. This system regulates various processes, such as appetite, energy balance, metabolism and fat storage, and operates through cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). For example, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) stimulates the CB1 receptor, leading to an increase in appetite, commonly known as munchies. However, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system differently than THC, and appears to have the opposite effect.

CBD and Appetite: Does it Reduce the Feeling of Hunger?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether CBD can affect appetite. Some studies suggest that CBD may decrease appetite, especially at higher doses.

See Details: Studies on CBD and Appetite Loss

For example, certain studies found that CBD had no impact on patients’ appetite. However, some studies have reported CBD’s influence on appetite as a secondary finding. For example, a study in children with epilepsy, specifically Dravet syndrome, showed that 28% of children treated with CBD experienced a significant decrease in appetite (1, 2). Likewise, research in epilepsy patients aged 2-55 years with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome indicated that a significant proportion of these patients had a reduction in appetite (3). In addition, one study reported that loss of appetite was more pronounced with certain doses of CBD. For example, appetite decreased in 16% of patients treated with 10 mg/kg/day of CBD, whereas 26% experienced decreased appetite with doses of 20 mg/kg/day (4). This suggests that the influence of CBD on appetite may be dose-dependent, which could be explained by its bell-shaped effect.

Confounding factors:

Although higher doses of CBD (e.g., 20 mg/kg/day) are associated with greater appetite suppression compared to lower doses, many of the studies looked at CBD in combination with other medications, such as antiepileptics, which can also influence appetite. Therefore, the exact effect of CBD is not always completely clear.

Does CBD reduce appetite?

It is believed that CBD may help reduce hunger by blocking certain parts of the brain that control appetite. In contrast, THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, tends to increase hunger by activating the same areas.

From a more technical point of view, the hypothesis is that CBD acts as an inverse agonist of the CB1 receptor. This means that CBD can decrease the activity of this receptor, leading to a reduction in appetite and food intake. On the other hand, THC stimulates appetite by directly activating the CB1 receptor, thus promoting an increase in hunger (5). This difference in the interaction with the endocannabinoid system explains how CBD and THC have opposite effects on appetite.

It is essential to keep in mind that many studies on CBD and weight have been conducted in combination with other medications, which may influence the results. In addition, the effectiveness of CBD may vary depending on the individual and the dosage used.

How Does CBD Influence Body Weight?

There are no studies specifically designed to evaluate how CBD affects body weight in healthy people. However, some research in adults with conditions such as diabetes showed no significant changes in body weight after several weeks of CBD treatment (6).

On the other hand, a study investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD in patients with COVID-19 also did not find that this compound influenced body weight or appetite (7).

Although there are no definitive studies showing that CBD causes weight loss in healthy individuals, there are indications that it may have an impact through regulation of metabolism. For example, in cellular studies, CBD has been shown to increase lipolysis (fat breakdown) and thermogenesis (heat production), which could contribute to weight loss (8, 9).

In addition, in diabetic patients, a dose of 100 mg of CBD administered twice daily improved the levels of certain hormones, such as gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), which stimulates insulin secretion, and reduced resistin, a hormone associated with obesity (6).

Increased Body Fat Burning

CBD has the potential to increase body fat burning, supported by preliminary evidence suggesting its ability to stimulate the body to break down lipids and increase energy expenditure (8, 9).

Positive Influence on Insulin Function

Additionally, CBD may positively influence insulin function. Not only has it been shown that this compound can decrease hormones associated with obesity, but it also boosts those that help preserve pancreatic cells. These cells play a crucial role, as they are responsible for producing insulin, a key hormone that regulates blood sugar levels by enabling cells to absorb glucose, either for energy or storage (6).

CBD dosage

Although CBD shows potential for treating obesity and metabolic problems, it has not yet been proven effective for weight loss and its effects may vary by individual and dose. While evidence indicates that CBD can suppress appetite, especially at higher doses (10-20 mg/kg/day), its effects on body weight are minimal and inconsistent. In addition, there are confounding factors that have not been adequately investigated, such as the presence of other medications in the studies that have reported these findings.

Most studies consider appetite reduction as a side effect rather than a primary objective. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and potential benefits of CBD in the management of obesity and metabolic disorders.

Conclusion

CBD has shown potential for future treatments targeting obesity and metabolic disorders. However, it has not yet been proven as an effective method for weight loss, and its effects may vary from person to person and dose to dose. While evidence indicates that CBD can suppress appetite, its effects on body weight control are minimal and inconsistent, and more research is needed in this area.

We remind you that the use of CBD orally is not yet regulated in countries such as Spain, Germany, France, Italy, as well as other countries of the European Union. Find out about the regulation of these products in your country. If you have any doubts about the use of CBD, consult a specialized physician to obtain adequate and personalized guidance.

Note: This is an informative article with no prescriptive character, it is not intended to prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. Its content can complement, but should never replace, the diagnosis or treatment of any disease or symptom. Cannactiva products are not medicines and are intended for external use. There may be new relevant scientific evidence since the date of publication. Consult with your physician before using CBD. Therapeutic advice should be personalized and depends on professional assessment.

References

1. Devinsky, O., Cross, J. H., & Wright, S. (2017). Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. The New England journal of medicine, 377(7), 699-700. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc1708349
2. Devinsky, O., Patel, A. D., Thiele, E. A., Wong, M. H., Appleton, R., Harden, C. L., Greenwood, S., Morrison, G., Sommerville, K., & GWPCARE1 Part A Study Group (2018). Randomized, dose-ranging safety trial of cannabidiol in Dravet syndrome. Neurology, 90(14), e1204-e1211. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000005254.
3. Thiele, E. A., Marsh, E. D., French, J. A., Mazurkiewicz-Beldzinska, M., Benbadis, S. R., Joshi, C., Lyons, P. D., Taylor, A., Roberts, C., Sommerville, K., & GWPCARE4 Study Group (2018). Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet (London, England), 391(10125), 1085-1096. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30136-3
4. Devinsky, O., Patel, A. D., Cross, J. H., Villanueva, V., Wirrell, E. C., Privitera, M., Greenwood, S. M., Roberts, C., Checketts, D., VanLandingham, K. E., Zuberi, S. M., & GWPCARE3 Study Group (2018). Effect of Cannabidiol on Drop Seizures in the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. The New England journal of medicine, 378(20), 1888-1897. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1714631
5. Pinto, J. S., & Martel, F. (2022). Effects of Cannabidiol on Appetite and Body Weight: A Systematic Review. Clinical drug investigation, 42(11), 909-919. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-022-01205-y
6. Jadoon, K. A., Ratcliffe, S. H., Barrett, D. A., Thomas, E. L., Stott, C., Bell, J. D., O’Sullivan, S. E., & Tan, G. D. (2016). Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabivarin on Glycemic and Lipid Parameters in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Pilot Study. Diabetes care, 39(10), 1777-1786. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-0650
7. Crippa, J. A. S., Pacheco, J. C., Zuardi, A. W., Guimarães, F. S., Campos, A. C., Osório, F. L., Loureiro, S. R., Dos Santos, R. G., Souza, J. D. S., Ushirohira, J. M., Ferreira, R. R. R.., Mancini Costa, K. C., Scomparin, D. S., Scarante, F. F., Pires-Dos-Santos, I., Mechoulam, R., Kapczinski, F., Fonseca, B. A. L. L., Esposito, D. L. A., Passos, A. D. C., … Hallak, J. E. C. (2022). Cannabidiol for COVID-19 Patients with Mild to Moderate Symptoms (CANDIDATE Study): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 7(5), 658-669. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0093.
8. Silvestri, C., Paris, D., Martella, A., Melck, D., Guadagnino, I., Cawthorne, M., Motta, A., & Di Marzo, V. (2015). Two non-psychoactive cannabinoids reduce intracellular lipid levels and inhibit hepatosteatosis. Journal of hepatology, 62(6), 1382-1390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2015.01.001
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