I can imagine what you’re thinking: how can a plant that is known for making people hungry simultaneously help them lose weight? According to popular “stoner” clichés, marijuana use will result in binge eating and weight gain. Yes, it is possible to lose weight while taking marijuana, although it’s a little complex.

In fact, medical marijuana is well known for treating conditions like anorexia and helping cancer patients eat more, but new research suggests it can also be used to aid in weight loss. Below, we’ll discuss the cannabis strains that aid in weight loss and introduce the THCV cannabinoid, which suppresses hunger.

1. cannabis strains that support suppressing appetite
2. An Appetite Suppressant Found in Marijuana Is THCV
3. What Is the Scientific Evidence for Marijuana and Obesity?
4. Guidelines for Munchies and Weight Loss
5. Can CBD Oil Reduce Cravings for Food?
6. The Final Conclusion

Through the appetite-suppressing cannabinoid THCV or by strategically utilising the proverbial munchies, cannabis can be used to help you lose weight. According to research, people who use cannabis regularly tend to be leaner and have lower fasting insulin levels than non-users. Let’s look at the cannabinoids involved before discussing how marijuana can be used for weight reduction and the best strains.

Cannabis Strains That Support Suppressing Appetite:

• Tangie (Skunk lineage)
• Cookies from Girl Scouts (Durban Poison lineage)
• Durban Toxin
• Mr. Jack the Ripper
• Holland Treat
• Skunk #1
• Donnell’s Doug (bred for THCV content)
• Donald Nelson (bred for THCV content)

It is anticipated that consumers who utilise strains with the strains mentioned above’ lineage will also profit from THCV. Try microdosing if you’ve decided to take THCV strains only for weight loss. Check out this post here for a general overview of cannabis strains for beginners.

An Appetite Suppressant Found in Marijuana Is THCV

While under the influence of cannabis, the cannabinoids Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) play important roles in our hunger and metabolism. While THCV acts as an appetite suppressor, THC stimulates your hunger and causes the munchies. While THC, a psychoactive component of marijuana, is an intoxicating substance, THCV can be ingested without having the same effects (5). In relatively small dosages, THCV antagonises, or lessens, the action of the CB1 receptor while activating it in higher amounts. Cannabis users may be less likely to be overweight or obese, according to the evidence. Researchers believe that lowering CB1 receptor activation promotes weight wellness (2).

What Does THCV Do?

The cannabinoid THCV is what you need if you want to eat less and reduce your appetite. A study that looked at the effects of THCV on mouse hunger for the Journal of Cannabis Research discovered that the cannabinoid reduced appetite, enhanced fullness, and improved energy metabolism (5). Due to its scarcity and potential health advantages, THCV has become well-known.

According to a different study that was published in Diabetes Care, “THCV significantly lowered fasting plasma glucose when compared with placebo”(4). For patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering fasting plasma glucose is important for managing their condition. The cannabinoid was well tolerated, meaning that taking THCV had no obvious side effects, according to the same study.

For a study published in the American Journal of Botany, scientists examined the THCV concentration of over 157 plants from all over the world. They discovered that cannabis plants from South Africa, India, Nepal, and regions of eastern Asia have the highest concentration of THCV (6).Durban Poison tested the highest for THCV at the 2014 High Time Times Seattle U.S. Cannabis Cup. It’s vital to keep in mind that not all marijuana strains contain THCV, so picking the proper one is crucial, especially if you’re just starting to use cannabis for appetite suppression and weight reduction.

What Is the Scientific Evidence for Marijuana and Obesity?

Cannabis use was linked to reduced waist circumferences, and current marijuana users had lower fasting insulin levels, according to a 2013 study with more than 4,000 individuals.

The impact of marijuana use on glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance among US adults was studied by Elizabeth Penner, Hannah Beuttner, and colleagues. They noted that “epidemiologic studies have found lower prevalence rates of obesity and diabetes mellitus in marijuana users when compared with people who have never used marijuana” (1). The researchers discovered that marijuana consumption was linked to smaller waists and lower fasting insulin levels. Additionally, research has revealed that marijuana users’ BMIs can be lower than those of non-users. This shows that cannabinoids (such THC, THCV, CBD, etc.) and the peripheral metabolic process are related.

The Thomas Clark and Jessica Jones Study

In a different study, Thomas Clark, Jessica Jones, and colleagues discovered that cannabis can “reverse the impact of the modern American diet” by “reducing effects of an elevated ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids on endocannabinoid (eCB) tone,” which is done because dysregulation of eCB results in the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. The CB1 receptor in the endocannabinoid receptor is frequently overstimulated by the modern American diet, which causes an imbalance in the body.

Fortunately, the CB1 receptor is one of the two receptors that cannabinoids bind to. As a result, the effects of THCV’s appetite suppression promote homeostasis and weight reduction. The same study’s findings indicating cannabis users had lower obesity rates were its conclusion (2).

The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Research has shown that cannabis use “was associated with a lower BMI or a lower prevalence of obesity, or both,” or that it “was shown to have no association with BMI or obesity,” according to authors of The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (published by the National Academy of Sciences) (3). The prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled in the past ten years, and it is a major risk factor for getting diabetes (3). Since the cannabinoid THC increases adipogenesis, or the creation of body fat, and stimulates appetite, it may encourage weight gain, which raises the chance of developing diabetes.

It’s crucial to remember that there isn’t enough data to make a firm conclusion. Fortunately, the effects of any THC that may be present in the cannabis product(s) you are consuming are partially neutralised by THCV. In other words, THCV reduces hazards related with weight gain, such as diabetes, by stifling appetite, but THC may slightly increase risk.

Obesity and Cannabis Use: The Drawdown

Results from 2 Representative National Surveys (8) and Marijuana and Body Weight (7) are two other research on cannabis and obesity that have produced comparable findings that may be broadly summed up as follows:

• Lower BMI is related to cannabis use.
• In general, people who consume cannabis have reduced waistlines.
• While THCV inhibits hunger, THC promotes it.
• Patients who need to gain weight, such as cancer patients, would benefit most from hunger stimulation, whereas those who are at risk of becoming obese would benefit most from appetite suppression.
• To comprehend its interactions better, more study is required.
• Cannabis users are substantially less likely to develop diabetes and have lower fasting insulin levels.

Cannabis users, especially long-term users, are infamous for eating more food while gaining less weight in relation to their caloric intake.

Guidelines for Munchies and Weight Loss

Does everyone experience hunger? Everyone can theoretically have the munchies, but not always; it depends on the cannabinoids taken. You won’t get the munchies if you ingest a strain like Willie Nelson, which was cultivated specifically for its THCV level; however, the same cannot be said for consumption of a strain like Pineapple Kush, which is infamous for doing so.

According to Tamas Horvath, the study’s lead author, scientists at Yale School of Medicine were “surprised to find that the neurons we thought were responsible for shutting down eating, were suddenly becoming active and stimulating appetite, even when you are full. “The primary feeding system of the brain gets tricked by it [cannabis].

Tips for Dealing With the Munchies

Here are some suggestions on how to use hunger-stimulating strains to your advantage for weight reduction for individuals who are unable to locate and consume strains rich in THCV for appetite suppression:

• Replace sugary pleasures like chocolate with fibre-rich, healthier options like fruit and celery.
• Choose whole-grain cereal or snacks in place of bread.
• Swap potato chips or crisps for seeds, almonds, or popcorn (without the salt and butter).
• A gallon of water should be consumed everyday at most.
• Replace your cold drinks and sodas with homemade, unsweetened iced teas.
• Avoid consuming junk food so that you won’t have any on hand for when you have the munchies.
• Do not eat your snack quickly. Take your time and savour each flavour fully. As a result, there will be less overeating.
• Learn how to make delicious, healthier recipes. Healthy eating should not be monotonous or dull.
• First and foremost, PREPARE. Prepare wholesome snacks and meals before consuming cannabis. You may choose what you put in your body thanks to this.
• If you frequently use cannabis and want to lose weight, try making a few adjustments to the snacks and meals you choose. While conventional wisdom advises people to eat less in order to lose weight, many people think the secret to reducing fat is to consume more of the appropriate foods and expend more calories.

Smoking marijuana or ingesting edibles that don’t contain THCV is unlikely to result in weight loss if you don’t exercise and eat healthfully for your body. It may take more effort, but controlling your cravings is worthwhile. You feel more physically and emotionally satisfied when you consume more high-quality, nutrient-dense foods than when you exert effort to reduce your intake.

Can CBD Oil Reduce Cravings for Food?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance that has been extensively studied for its potential as a medicine. It stands to reason that this cannabinoid would likewise play a part in the process of losing weight. Actually, CBD doesn’t seem to do anything at all to either suppress or enhance appetite or metabolism. Thank goodness, cannabis plants have a variety of cannabinoids, just like people do.

The Conclusion

Frequent exercise is essential for weight loss, as it is for any weight loss plans, but your eating habits will determine whether you are successful or not. You can take them normally to reap the benefits of THCV’s appetite suppressant or THC’s munchies (inhalation, edibles, or whatever your personal preference is). When consumed, cannabinoids may offer numerous health advantages in addition to aiding in weight loss. Maintain a healthy weight, stay active, and enjoy strain hunting.