As cannabis becomes more and more popular, the impact it has on the metabolism is being studied more than ever before. Despite what many people think, there is a lot of science to suggest that marijuana can actually help you lose weight.
This is especially true if you are using medical cannabis. The reason is that cannabis can suppress your appetite, which means that you will consume less calories than if you weren’t using the drug.
Increased Appetite
Cannabis can have a variety of effects on the body and the brain, including an increase in appetite. This is a common side effect of marijuana use and referred to as “the munchies.” It can be especially helpful for medicinal users who may have trouble eating due to cancer or other illnesses.
The reason for this increased appetite is due to the presence of a cannabinoid in cannabis that activates ghrelin, a hormone that is secreted by your stomach and stimulates your appetite. In addition, consuming cannabis can trigger the release of a substance called dopamine that lowers your inhibitions. This can make you feel more impulsive and eat more than you should, according to Gary Wenk, PhD, psychology and neuroscience professor at Ohio State University’s medical school.
In addition to THC, there are other cannabinoids that can also have an impact on the appetite. These can include CBD and THCV, which have been dubbed “diet weed” because they suppress the appetite.
These cannabinoids interact with CB1 receptors that are found in the brain and the intestine, which help regulate satiety. When CB1 receptors become overactive, they cause a decrease in the amount of a peptide that helps suppress your appetite, called leptin.
Additionally, a cannabinoid known as tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is present in high concentrations in sativa strains and can suppress the appetite. However, THCV can lead to weight gain, so it is best used as a short-term treatment rather than for long-term weight loss.
This cannabinoid is also known to stimulate the olfactory bulb, which affects how we feel about food. It may also influence how much we eat by making us smell the food more intensely, said Tamas Horvath, a neurobiologist at Yale University.
While the exact mechanism by which cannabis increases your appetite is not understood, a new study published in Nature Neuroscience suggests that it may have something to do with how the drug binds to cannabinoid receptors in the olfactory bulb and stimulates the brain’s reward system. It’s a good idea to consult with your doctor about the benefits of using cannabis before you begin taking it for the first time.
Increased Heart Rate
The impact of cannabis on the metabolism is a big part of its medicinal effects. This is because the endocannabinoid system has a direct impact on how well the body burns calories. If the endocannabinoid signaling is in balance, the body’s metabolism will work at optimal levels. If it’s not, weight gain and other health problems may occur.
As a vasodilator, marijuana dilates the blood vessels, which makes it easier for blood to flow. When this happens, your heart rate goes up as it tries to keep up with the extra volume of blood entering the heart. To put this in an analogy, if you attach a hose to a faucet and make it wider, you’ll need to pump more water than normal to maintain the same amount of pressure.
This higher heart rate can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack, especially for people who already have cardiovascular conditions or high blood pressure. This is because a high heart rate forces the heart to work harder, which in turn decreases blood flow around the body and causes oxygen deprivation.
These effects wear off quickly after a few hours, but it’s important to know how to prevent them from occurring in the first place. To do this, it’s essential to stay hydrated and calm. Also, you can try to use a strain with less THC and more CBD (cannabidiol) content.
Another important factor to remember is that the risk of an increased heart rate varies depending on your age and gender. For example, it’s more common for older adults to experience this side effect compared to young adults.
If you’re worried about a racing heart after smoking weed, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about the potential risks. They’ll help you find a dosage that’s safe for your age and body type.
Researchers at the American Heart Association recently presented new data on the relationship between cannabis and heart rhythm problems. They found that young people who smoke weed regularly (six or more times per week) have a significantly higher risk of being hospitalized for a heart arrhythmia.
Increased Fat Burning
The endocannabinoid system is a complex network of receptors, lipids and enzymes that act to maintain homeostasis in the body. The system largely functions to keep the body’s temperature, digestion and immune function in balance. If it is disrupted, metabolism may slow down, which could cause weight gain.
Cannabis contains compounds that act on these endocannabinoid receptors, including THC and CBD (cannabinoids that don’t produce euphoria or alter mood). Both of these cannabinoids can stimulate the body to burn fat and release energy as a result.
In animal studies, THC can decrease weight in obese mice by blocking a receptor that stimulates appetite. This cannabinoid also has the ability to lower blood glucose levels, which is another way it may increase fat burning.
However, while THC can help the body burn fat, it’s important to note that its effects are temporary. As soon as the user stops using cannabis, the CB1 receptors return to normal. This means that the body will experience short-term stimulation of appetite, reduced energy intake and storage, and increased metabolism until the CB1 receptors return to pre-marijuana use levels.
This effect can be attributed to the fact that THC has a long half-life in the body. It may take a few weeks for the body to remove THC from the bloodstream after a single dose.
It’s also possible that cannabis can help people lose weight because of its other health benefits, such as reducing stress and improving sleep. These can help people avoid overeating and stress eating, both of which are known to contribute to higher body weight.
Having a healthy diet and exercise routine are key to weight loss. If you aren’t eating a healthy diet or getting the right amount of exercise, it’s unlikely that you will lose weight no matter how much pot you smoke.
A recent study found that cannabis can increase insulin and GLP-1 in people, which may help the body burn fat more effectively. The researchers noted that the endocannabinoid system can influence these hormones, so it’s important to remember that there are a lot of factors involved when trying to lose weight.
Increased Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s response to injury or illness. However, chronic inflammation is associated with a variety of health problems including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Inflammation can also lead to weight gain, so reducing inflammation is important for overall health.
People who are overweight or obese have higher levels of substances called biomarkers that indicate inflammation. These are often measured by a doctor and can be helpful in diagnosis.
The inflammatory response can be caused by a number of factors, including diet and exercise. Certain foods, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts, can help lower inflammation levels. A Mediterranean-style diet can also reduce the risk of chronic inflammation.
Cannabis has been shown to suppress blood glucose concentrations in a laboratory study, which is a positive indication that it may help manage type 2 diabetes. The mechanism behind this effect is not entirely clear, but it may be linked to the way the drug affects insulin production and/or secretion.
Another study in humans found that cannabis use reduced inflammatory markers in fibroblasts, the cells that form the lining of the lungs. Researchers believe that this might help improve respiratory health in cannabis users and decrease their risk of developing lung disease or heart attacks.
THC has also been shown to reduce the amount of a peptide in the gut known as GLP-1, which is closely linked to insulin and glucose metabolism. The peptide is secreted by the intestine in response to food intake.
A study in Israel asked 30 patients with Crohn’s disease about their symptoms before and after using marijuana. They found that many had significantly improved their symptoms. They were able to discontinue medications and reduce their daily bowel movements.
It is important to note that each person’s experience with cannabis will be different. Some people will experience no symptoms at all, while others will feel very ill. Taking more than the recommended dosage can be dangerous, so it’s best to consult your doctor before using marijuana.
