CBD is one of many cannabinoids present in the hemp plant that is currently being researched. CBD products are legal on the federal level in most US states if they contain less than 0.3% of THC. CBD’s promising benefits have lured many consumers looking to reduce stress, enhance sleep quality, or improve focus.
CBD oil and other products are known to influence appetite and weight. Several questions are left unanswered about CBD’s effect on appetite. Here you will learn the truth about whether CBD products can increase or decrease appetite and whether CBD, in fact, makes consumers ravenous.
CBD vs. THC: The Hunger Games
Before we dive into finding the truth about the correlation between CBD and hunger, it is necessary to differentiate CBD from THC as many people confuse the two compounds. Both compounds are derived from the same plant and even have an identical composition.
Having said that, THC and CBD have a bunch of differences in how they affect the body and mind. THC has psychoactive properties that give users the “high,” which is absent when consuming CBD.
THC users know well enough that the psychoactive substance can induce hunger as an after-effect. Unlike THC, CBD has a different influence on people. It does impact cannabinoid receptors but indirectly affects appetite.
Will CBD Make You Hungry?
When using THC, the compound directly hits the CB1 cannabinoid receptors. The CB1 receptors stimulate appetite, located in the olfactory bulb and hypothalamus. So when the THC substance binds with the CB1 receptors, it releases the ghrelin hormone, which sends the signals of hunger, naturally giving you the munchies. Food cravings may not even pass when you think you’ve eaten enough.
Contrary to THC, while CBD also activates CB1 and CB2 receptors, it doesn’t make you want to binge-eat. This is because the compound triggers other areas of the receptors, which, in turn, can indirectly stimulate appetite. CBD is also an appetite suppressant, which gives us a straightforward answer – CBD does not make you hungry.
Will CBD Give Me the Munchies When I am Hungry?
The two cannabinoids that are present in the hemp plant have two different effects on a person. THC, which is barely present in CBD products, will not have any impact on your mindset or condition. You will need a significantly bigger concentration of THC for it to give you the feeling of being high. When taking THC, the chemicals that affect the receptors responsible for hunger are released. Even on a full stomach or when you have eaten enough, you may still feel hungry.
It is a totally different story with CBD. It is non-intoxicating and doesn’t activate receptors as THC does. Although it sends signals to receptors in charge of hunger feeling, it communicates with other areas. As a result, CBD cannot make you hungry.
Does CBD Increase Appetite?
CBD makes you less prone to binge-eating, unlike THC, which makes you have an increased appetite even on a full stomach. CBD may help improve your gut health, especially when negative factors like stress, inadequate sleep quality, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can damage your well-being.
Taking CBD may result in increased hunger (to some extent only) because the compound communicates with areas located separately from the endocannabinoid system that regulate hunger and appetite, along with sleep and stress. Because of this, people who suffer from sickness and want to boost their appetite try CBD to help them recover and regain the healthy diet habits they used to have.
Does CBD Promote Weight Gain?
Experiencing nausea can force you to starve in the hope of reducing this uncomfortable condition. CBD may have properties that can reduce the feeling of nausea and help you get a healthy appetite back. So, while CBD doesn’t encourage weight gain as THC does, it can help CBD users to reduce the symptoms that curb hunger.
Can CBD Help You Lose Weight?
A few studies on CBD show that CBD is an appetite suppressant and may be used to fight obesity.
CBD may have to change the fat in the body. CBD is also believed to break down fat cells, converting white fat cells into brown fat. White fat cells are considered bad because they store calories, while brown fat breaks down fat molecules and burns calories. When you eat junk food, the calories go into the white fat. Contrary to that, brown fat is easier to burn as energy. It is thought that burning brown fat helps lose weight efficiently.
Other ways to turn white fat into brown include exercising, quality sleep, and when being exposed to cold temperatures.
CBD may be helpful if you want better results in sports. Taking CBD orally may relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. This results in a prolonged workout. Additionally, if you want to recover faster, CBD may have the property of reducing muscle pain.
CBD may also have the ability to improve the quality of your sleep. There are receptors in the brain that control the stress level, which, in turn, influence how well you sleep. CBD may have an impact on it; however, more studies are needed to confirm it.
Will CBD Oil Help With Weight?
CBD oil is one of the easiest products to use, and that takes effect quickly. You can take CBD oil under the tongue by squeezing a few drops.
Taking CBD oil before the workout may give an extra energy boost to burn more calories. After an intensive gym routine, you can rub CBD oil into your sore muscles, hoping to reduce the aches and pains.
Another way to lose weight is to take a few drops of CBD oil when you are hungry late in the evening – this is a perfect solution to curb appetite.
Only taking CBD oil will not help you reach a lower body weight but may aid you in achieving your goal. A CBD product may become your dietary supplement or a sort of ointment you apply to your skin – the decision is yours.
Does CBD Cause Stomach Bloating?
If you take pure CBD, the chance of stomach bloating is low. CBD oils, for instance, contain another ingredient – a carrier oil – that may cause bloating.
Consuming CBD oil above the recommended code can lead to negative symptoms like stomach ache and diarrhea.
To avoid stomach bloating, try to minimize the intake of CBD oils when cooking, taking them orally, or massaging them into the skin.
Can CBD Improve Metabolism?
It is believed that CBD can convert white fat into brown ones;. White fats are the ones everyone wants to get rid of because they contain undesired calories. Brown fat is the “good” fat; it stores energy and calories.
Animal studies have shown that CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors, which play a big role in hunger and appetite, and can promote weight loss. One of the reasons could be the boost it gives to metabolism.
Further research will discover more details about the process.
Final Thoughts
Based on the medical trials and research available today, it is clear that CBD does not stimulate appetite in a way THC does. If you plan on using CBD, you won’t have to worry about suddenly increasing weight. However, if you do have appetite problems, it can improve your gut health.
CBD does not make you hungry, but it affects the appetite in a different way. It may target stress, pain, and nausea – the feeling that prevents you from eating or losing weight. The cannabinoid is also believed to promote good gut health and aid you in maintaining a good diet.
Whether you should consume CBD oil or other products to reduce weight is definitely up to you. You should take into consideration that CBD has potential health benefits that haven’t been fully researched to make certain claims.
The best you can do is to consult with your doctor and purchase CBD products from reliable sources.
