CBD is commonly available as an oil-based extract, but it is also available in lozenges, sprays, topical creams, and other forms.
CBD may have several advantages, including reduced anxiety, natural pain relief, and improved heart and brain health (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).
However, little is known about CBD’s weight loss effects.
This article delves into the most recent CBD research and how it affects your weight.
Can CBD help you lose weight?
CBD has been claimed to help with other aspects of health, such as weight loss. A few of its potential consequences are listed below.
May increase metabolism and decrease food intake
According to preliminary research, CBD may reduce food intake and boost metabolism, potentially promoting weight loss.
Animal studies, for example, show that CBD affects weight by interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors in lymphoid tissue and the brain. These receptors are thought to be crucial in metabolism and food intake (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).
In a two-week study, rats were given CBD injections every day at doses of 1.1 and 2.3 mg per pound of body weight (2.5 and 5 mg per kg). Both doses resulted in significant weight loss, with the higher dose having the most pronounced effect (17Trusted Source).
It’s worth noting that the CBD was injected rather than taken orally.
In another rat study, CBD reduced food intake significantly more than other cannabinoids, including cannabigerol and cannabinol (18Trusted Source).
While such findings are encouraging, there aren’t enough human studies to back them up, and more research is needed.
Fat cell ‘browning’ may be promoted.
Your body contains two types of fat: white and brown.
White fat is the most common type, and it is responsible for storing and supplying energy as well as insulating and cushioning your organs (19Trusted Source).
When accumulated in excess, it is also the type of fat most associated with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source).
Brown fat, on the other hand, is responsible for producing heat by burning calories. Individuals who are of a healthy weight have more brown fat than those who are overweight (19Trusted Source).
Marijuana use is linked to a lower body weight.
Despite the fact that marijuana use is frequently associated with increased food consumption, those who use marijuana products tend to weigh less than those who do not.
For example, a study of over 50,000 people found an obesity rate of 14-17% among those who used cannabis at least three days per week, compared to 22-25% among those who had not used marijuana in the previous 12 months (25Trusted Source).
Because CBD is prevalent in marijuana, it is most likely involved in this relationship — though how is unknown.
Nonetheless, researchers believe that cannabinoids in general, including CBD, influence appetite, metabolism, and other weight-related bodily functions (26Trusted Source).
Should you use CBD oil to help you lose weight?
While it’s unclear whether CBD oil can help you lose weight, it has been shown to improve your health in other ways. It’s relatively safe, with few potential side effects (28Trusted Source).
More research is needed, particularly in humans, to determine how this marijuana product affects weight. The existing findings are relatively weak and inconsistent.
As a result, CBD oil is not recommended as an effective weight loss supplement.
It’s best to try other weight loss methods instead, especially since CBD products can be costly.