CBD for weight loss: how does it affect appetite and body weight?

Obesity and body weight control is a topic of constant interest that has caught the attention of people all over the world, whether for medical health reasons, disease prevention or even aesthetic goals linked to physical well-being. With the rise of CBD products such as CBD oil, 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 ask: does CBD influence obesity? Does CBD change appetite, can it help you lose weight, or help you control your body weight? In this article, we look at the scientific findings to shed light on these questions.

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 not psychoactive, which means it does not produce the “high” associated with cannabis use. Its popularity has grown thanks to its potential therapeutic benefits, which include reducing anxiety, relieving pain and, more recently, possibly helping with weight control.

The role of the endocannabinoid system in body weight

To grasp 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. The system operates through the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). For example, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) stimulates the CB1 receptor, which causes an increase in appetite, commonly known as the munchies. However, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system differently from 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 loss of appetite

For example, certain studies found that CBD had no impact at all 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 the children treated with CBD experienced a significant decrease in appetite (1, 2). Likewise, research in epilepsy patients aged 2 to 55 with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome indicated that a considerable proportion of these patients had reduced 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, while 26% experienced reduced appetite at doses of 20 mg/kg/day (4). This suggests that the influence of CBD on appetite may depend on the dose.

Confounding factors:

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

Does CBD reduce appetite?

CBD is thought to help reduce hunger by blocking certain parts of the brain that control appetite. By 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. THC, on the other hand, stimulates appetite by directly activating the CB1 receptor, thus promoting an increase in hunger (5). This difference in how they interact with the endocannabinoid system explains why CBD and THC have opposite effects on appetite.

It is essential to bear in mind that many studies on CBD and weight have been carried out in combination with other medicines, which may influence the results. In addition, the effectiveness of CBD may vary depending on the person and the dose used.

How does CBD influence body weight?

There are no studies specifically designed to assess 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).

Cannabis and diabetes

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

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

In addition, in diabetic patients, a dose of 100 mg of CBD given twice a day 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, backed by preliminary evidence suggesting it can stimulate the body to break down lipids and increase energy expenditure (8, 9).

Positive influence on insulin function

CBD could also have a positive influence on insulin function. Not only has this compound been shown to decrease hormones associated with obesity, 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 helping cells absorb glucose, either to obtain energy or to store it (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 depending on the person and the dose. While the 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 properly investigated, such as the presence of other medicines in the studies that reported these findings.

CBD dosage

Most studies regard the reduction in appetite as a side effect rather than a primary goal. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and possible benefits of CBD in managing obesity and metabolic disorders.

Conclusion

CBD has shown potential for future treatments aimed at obesity and metabolic disorders. However, it has not yet been proven to be an effective method for weight loss, and its effects may vary depending on the person and the dose. While the 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.

Please remember that the use of oral CBD is not yet regulated in countries such as Spain, Germany, France and Italy, as well as other countries of the European Union. Find out about the regulations on these products in force in your country. If you have any questions about using CBD, consult a specialist doctor for proper, personalised advice.

Note: this is an informative article with no prescriptive purpose and is not intended to prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. Its content may complement, but must never replace, the diagnosis or treatment of any disease or symptom. Cannactiva products are not medicines and are intended for external use. New relevant scientific evidence may have emerged since the date of publication. Consult your doctor before using CBD. Therapeutic advice must be personalised and depends on a professional assessment.