This year, several experts have forecast an increase in foods and beverages containing cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in cannabis plants. More colloquially called CBD, cannabidiol has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat some forms of epilepsy and shows potential in treating pain, nausea, anxiety and depression — without making users high. But what about its effect on hunger? After all, we all know smoking or ingesting cannabis is associated with the munchies, right? So, I wondered: Does CBD have the same effect? Could a trend toward CBD-infused foods lead to weight gain? And how might CBD affect people who have conditions that make it difficult to keep weight on (such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, eating disorders or depression)?
Overall, a fact that is not disputed is that cannabis use in the general population is associated with a lower body mass index. However, interestingly, cannabis may help increase weight in those who are low weight, but not in those who are normal or overweight. Without getting too into the science behind this think about the implications of this statement. This means that if you are otherwise healthy or little overweight that CBD may help you maintain a healthy weight and even loose weight. However, if your body needs weight gain it will react differently to the CBD and may increase your body mass my increasing appetite among other benefits.
Janice Newell Bissex, a registered dietitian and holistic cannabis practitioner in Melrose, Mass stated “CBD helps relieve nausea and can calm your nervous system and digestive tract,” Bissex says. “If you feel less nauseated, you may eat more. CBD also quells pain, and feeling less pain may also boost appetite.” For that reason, it’s often used by people with cancer, chronic pain or other medical issues.
So the consensus in the medical community is that CBD can maintain healthy weight which for some means weight loss and other means weight gain, your body works in amazing ways to adapt and interpret to the natural remedies you supply to it.
Here at Raw Botanics we are always looking for the best possible ingredients to help you heal naturally. We pay particularly close attention to minor cannabinoids found in hemp. One of our favorite cannabinoids for both weight loss, weight gain and general wellness is CBG which can be found in our RESTORE product line. We offer RESTORE CBG +CBD in Softgels and Tincture form.
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a phytocannabinoid, meaning it’s a naturally occurring cannabinoid in cannabis plants. It’s commonly referred to as the “mother of all cannabinoids” because it’s one of the first cannabinoids to appear as the plant develops. Like most cannabinoids, CBG interacts with the body via a signaling system called ECS (Endocannabinoid System), a series of receptors to which cannabinoids can bind to produce changes in the body. Specifically, we all have CB1 and CB2 receptors in our endocannabinoid systems, and CBG is known to bind directly to both. Since the endocannabinoid receptors play an essential role in memory, pain, the perception of stress, and mood, CBG can cause significant changes to any of them.
Most people report a reduction in perceived pain, relaxation, and improved mood because of consuming CBG. Cannabigerol has a mild stimulating effect on appetite. Recent research suggests that CBG acts as a natural appetite stimulant with relatively few side effects.
Cannabinoids are beginning to be an option in medical settings to help boost appetite and promote healthy eating in patients who struggle to get enthused by food. Modern research concludes that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in hunger and eating patterns. Specifically, stimulation of CB1 receptors leads to a stronger desire to eat and can even promote food craving and hunger in subjects with naturally low appetites. Cannabigerol binds to CB1 receptors, meaning it can increase food cravings and feelings of hunger in those who consume it. The stimulated CB1 receptors cause an increase in hormones like ghrelin that regulate appetite, making the user more likely to feel hungry. We carry a variety of CBG products ranging from CBD and CBG oil & edibles in the form of tinctures and softgels.
HOW CAN CBG HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS AND WEIGHT GAIN AT THE SAME TIME? Despite the fact that CBG stimulates appetite and makes users hungry, there is a link between cannabis use and lower obesity levels or healthier body weights. There are four primary reasons scientists believe there is a correlation between lower body weight and cannabis consumption:
1. DECREASED LIPOGENESIS Lipogenesis is the process by which our bodies store excess energy as fat. When we consume more calories than our bodies need to function, the surplus is converted into fat and stored in adipose tissue throughout the body for later consumption if caloric intake decreases. Some research suggests that CBG consumption inhibits lipogenesis, even when excess calories are consumed. If this is substantiated by additional research, it could be one of the most compelling reasons why cannabis use is correlated with healthier body weight.
2. INCREASED METABOLISM Although more research needs to be done, some experts believe that consuming CBG boosts metabolism, promoting the burning of stored fat for energy. Even if caloric intake remains high, consuming CBG might help reduce new fat storage and promote the burning of existing stored fat reserves. As such, CBG has recently been promoted as a natural treatment for obesity because of its ability to stimulate metabolism.
3. REDUCED STRESS There has long been a correlation between stress levels and obesity or weight gain. Stress tends to cause people to turn to food for comfort and might even lead an otherwise healthy individual to turn to fatty or unhealthy foods to relieve some of the stress. THC and CBD are believed to reduce stress and promote relaxation, and recent research suggests that CBG has this capability as well. If this is the case, CBG could potentially relieve stress, making users more likely to choose healthy options and turn away from unhealthy comfort foods.
4. MORE BALANCED ENERGY LEVELS Finally, modern research suggests that cannabinoids like CBG might play a role in affecting homeostasis, which is a term for the delicate balance of energy intake and output. They do so primarily through their impact on the endocrine system, which is responsible for the hormones, including those that regulate hunger and satiety. CBG, which binds to CB1 receptors, might be an effective way to maintain control over an out-of-control endocrine system.