Note: Strains That Encourage Weight Loss, does not intend to give this as professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose, or prescribe treatment based on the information provided on this page. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.
I know what you’re thinking… how can a plant that is notorious for giving people the munchies also promote weight loss? Typical “stoner” stereotypes suggest that smoking marijuana will lead to binge eating and weight gain. Well it’s a little complicated, but yes, it’s possible to lose weight while using marijuana. In fact, medical marijuana is known to help ailments such as anorexia and help increase appetite in cancer patients, but now research shows it can be used to help lose weight. Below, we’ll go over the strains that promote weight loss and introduce the cannabinoid responsible for appetite suppression—THCV.
- Cannabis Strains that Promote Appetite Suppression
- THCV is an Appetite Suppressant Compound in Marijuana
- What Does Science Say About Marijuana and Obesity?
- Tips For Munchies and Weight Loss
- Can CBD Oil Reduce Food Cravings?
- The Final Verdict
You can use cannabis while losing weight through the appetite suppressant cannabinoid THCV or through using the infamous munchies wisely to your advantage. Research shows that cannabis consumers are generally a slimmer population with lower fasting insulin levels compared to those who do not consume cannabis. Before we get into how marijuana can be used for weight loss and which strains are best, let’s have a look at the cannabinoids involved.
Cannabis Strains that Promote Appetite Suppression
- Tangie (Skunk lineage)
- Girl Scout Cookies (Durban Poison lineage)
- Durban Poison
- Jack the Ripper
- Dutch Treat
- Skunk #1
- Doug’s Varin (bred for THCV content)
- Willie Nelson (bred for THCV content)
It is believed that consumers who use strains that share a lineage with the above strains will also benefit from THCV. If you have chosen to consume THCV strains simply for weight loss, try microdosing. For general information on cannabis strains for beginners check out our article here.
THCV is an Appetite Suppressant Compound in Marijuana
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) are two cannabinoids that play significant roles in our appetite and metabolism while under the influence of cannabis. THC stimulates your appetite and is responsible for the munchies, while THCV acts as an appetite suppressant. While THC is an intoxicating compound in marijuana, THCV can be consumed without the intoxicating effects commonly associated with psychoactive compounds (5). THCV antagonizes, or decreases, the activity of the CB1 receptor in relatively small doses while activating it at higher doses. Evidence suggests that cannabis users are less likely to be overweight or obese. Researchers hypothesize that decreasing CB1 receptor activation leads to healthier weight (2).
If you are looking to eat less and suppress your appetite, then THCV is cannabinoid you’re looking for. A study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research examined THCV on appetite in rodents and found that the cannabinoid decreased appetite, increased satiety and up-regulated energy metabolism (5). THCV has gained fame for its rarity and suggested health benefits.
Another study published in Diabetes Care found that “compared with placebo, THCV significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose” (4). Decreasing fasting plasma glucose is significant for controlling type 2 diabetes in patients. The same study found that the cannabinoid was well tolerated; in order words, there were no significant adverse effects of consuming THCV.
Researchers tested over 157 plants around the world for their THCV content for a study in the American Journal of Botany. They found that the highest THCV content is found in cannabis plants that originate from South Africa, India, Nepal, and parts of eastern Asia (6). The highest testing flower for THCV at the 2014 High Time Times Seattle U.S Cannabis Cup was Durban Poison. It is important to remember that not all strains of marijuana contain THCV, so choosing the right one is important, especially if you only start consuming cannabis for weight loss and for appetite suppression.
What Does Science Say About Marijuana and Obesity?
A 2013 study with over 4,000 participants showed that marijuana use was associated with smaller waist circumferences, and current marijuana users showed lower levels of fasting insulin. Elizabeth Penner, Hannah Beuttner and team conducted the study, titled “The Impact of Marijunana Use on Glucose, Insulin and Insulin Resistance Among US Adults.” They explained 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 team found that marijuana use was associated with smaller waists and lower levels of fasting insulin. Studies have also shown that marijuana users can have a lower BMI than non-users. This suggests that there is a connection between cannabinoids (THC, THCV, CBD, etc) and the peripheral metabolic process.
In a separate study, Thomas Clark, Jessica Jones and team found that cannabis can “reverse the impact of modern American diet,” which is done by “reducing effects of an elevated ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids on endocannabinoid (eCB) tone.” The authors go on to explain that dysregulation of eCB leads to the development of obesity and metabolic disorders. Modern American diets often lead to an overstimulation of the CB1 receptor in the endocannabinoid receptor, causing imbalance in the body. Fortunately, the CB1 receptor is one of two receptors that cannabinoids bind to, which then encourages homeostasis and weight loss through the appetite suppression effects of THCV. The same study concluded by stating that cannabis consumers were associated with reduced obesity rates (2). Apply For Your Medical Marijuana Card Today
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