Does CBD Help Losing Weight?

By October 14, 2019Blog, CBD Benefits

Cannabidiol products have become popular due to the large number of conditions it can help with. Thousands of users from all around the world use CBD to relieve their stress and anxiety, as well as to reduce inflammation and pain. However, as scientific research continues, more beneficial properties are being discovered.

Although CBD weight loss products are relatively new in the market, there are already hundreds of satisfied customers who are sharing their experiences online. Cannabidiol has much potential in weight loss treatments, and this article explains the action mechanisms behind its effectiveness.

Understanding the Endocannabinoid System

The way in which cannabidiol can help patients recover a healthy weight cannot be understood without knowing more about the endocannabinoid system. This network of receptors and neurotransmitters is spread throughout the entire body and is responsible for many of its functions.

While the endocannabinoid system has a strong influence over neurological conditions such as anxiety and stress, a correlation has also been found between its activities and several physical disorders. An article published by the British Journal of Pharmacology demonstrates how the endocannabinoid system of patients suffering from diabetes shows abnormal hyperactivity.

Whenever the endocannabinoid system falls out of balance, the symptoms can appear in many forms. As this series of neurotransmitters regulate the body´s crucial functions, it is vital to keep it healthy and in optimal conditions.

The Role of Cannabidiol

After knowing how your overall health is influenced by the endocannabinoid system, you might be wondering how cannabidiol interacts with it. It has been proven that CBD products can restore its natural balance and therefore treat several physical and neurological conditions.

After being absorbed into the bloodstream, the components of cannabidiol travel throughout the entire body. They can then interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors and provide balance to either underactive or hyperactive endocannabinoid systems.

CBD Reduces Appetite

While the psychoactive components of cannabis (such as THC) are commonly associated with an increased appetite, cannabidiol has an entirely opposite effect. A comprehensive study published in the US National Library of Medicine resulted in promising results for the use of CBD in weight-reduction programs. Cannabidiol has been found to reduce food consumption behaviours in the test subjects.

The reason for CBD´s effects to be opposite to those of THC is the way in which both interact with the CB1 receptors in the body. While tetrahydrocannabinol binds directly to these receptors and induces an increased appetite, cannabidiol stimulates CB1 antagonist molecules which reduce its activity.

As many traditional weight-loss diets involve significant reductions in the amounts of food consumed daily, cannabidiol can be a useful aid to reduce cravings and make the process significantly easier.

Cannabidiol Stimulates Fat Browning

To understand the importance of this process, it is necessary to know that the body naturally has two types of fatty tissues: White and Brown. The former is mainly used to store energy, while the latter helps the body produce heat and break down any excessive white fat. Both fatty acids, therefore, have opposing activities which are meant to balance each other under healthy conditions.

However, people suffering from obesity usually have excessive amounts of white fat in their bodies. While this by itself is risky, high amounts of white fat can also lead to a rise in the levels of cholesterol and alterations to the blood pressure.

A study published by the University of Daegu in South Korea showed yet more promising results in the ability of cannabidiol to treat obesity. It explains how the regular consumption of CBD products can promote the production of brown fat instead of white fat. In turn, the body can burn excessive lipids faster.

CBD Boosts your Metabolism

Perhaps the most direct way in which cannabidiol can be a useful aid for anyone wanting to lose weight and have overall better health comes from its ability to boost metabolism and promote fat burning. Cannabidiol encourages the activity of the cells´ mitochondria, which are responsible for burning calories and reducing the amount of unnecessary fat in the body.

Finally, cannabidiol limits a process known as lipogenesis, which promotes the expression of proteins responsible for the generation of fat cells. While this process is complex, it plays a crucial role in patients suffering from abnormal levels of white fat in their bodies.

The Verdict: Can Cannabidiol Help me Lose Weight?

While scientific studies are still ongoing and we still have much to learn about the way in which cannabidiol promotes weight loss, the fact is that there are at least three mechanisms through which CBD products interact with the body. Cannabidiol products have proven to be effective in reducing the production of fat, keeping the appetite under control and promoting fat burning.

Taking a daily dose of CBD, however, is not enough. No respected scientists would claim that cannabidiol alone can lead to any significant reduction of weight, as a comprehensive diet and an exercise routine are always needed to promote weight loss. Cannabidiol can undoubtedly help reduce cravings and enhance the effectiveness of the diet plan you have chosen, but personal determination is the first and perhaps most crucial step.

Choosing a High-Quality Product

Once you have decided to start losing weight and use cannabidiol as an aide to complement a comprehensive diet and exercise plan, it is necessary to do some research and find out which CBD product is the best for you.

Before buying any cannabidiol tincture or extract, you must know that the boom of the industry has led to the establishment of many businesses that produce less-than-optimal cannabidiol extracts. Be informed and read about the best hemp origins, extraction processes and consumption methods to make the right decision and buy a product that will help you reach your goal of achieving a healthy weight.

As a rule of thumb, you should give preference to CBD extracts made from organic hemp plants and extracted using clean CO2 techniques. Reading the reviews from previous customers is also useful to know if the product you are looking at has already helped users facing similar conditions.

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