These days everyone has heard of CBD oil. Not only has it been applauded for its abilities to aid sleep and reduce stress and anxiety, now studies are suggesting we consider using CBD oil for weight loss as well.
But can CBD help lose weight, or is it just the latest in a slew of diet fads? As it turns out, there is emerging data on the benefits of CBD oil in this arena, and its possibilities shouldn’t be overlooked. Here’s what you need to know.
CBD Oil and Weight Loss: The Potential Link
As interest in CBD and its many uses grows, more and more studies are conducted. But how can CBD help you lose weight specifically? As it turns out, research suggests two main ways in which it is thought to aid in weight loss.
Does CBD Make You Hungry?
Traditionally people have thought of cannabis as something that causes you to gain weight, not lose it. Even the average Joe who’s never smoked a joint in their life has probably heard of the dreaded “munchies”.
However, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content is to blame for that appetite boost, and cannabidiol (CBD) is thankfully lacking in that department. In fact, CBD on its own appears to deactivate the CB1 receptor and stimulate the CB2 receptors in our brains, which effectively works to suppress your appetite.
A small percentage of people in a recent study found that using CBD increased their appetite instead of suppressing it. This could be due to genetic factors or a higher percentage of THC in the strain that was used.
For this reason, it’s essential to choose a CBD strain or oil that has an extremely low concentration of THC to prevent any of those sneaky snack attacks from showing up.
Does CBD Burn Fat?
We have two different types of fat in our bodies: white fat and brown fat.
White fat is what we find around our organs (and around our thighs, for that matter). It’s natural and healthy for you to have a certain degree of this white fat because its purpose is to protect your precious organs.
Brown fat cells, however, are more active fat cells that are burned off in the process of trying to keep our bodies warm when exposed to the cold. Studies suggest that CBD can help convert white fat into brown fat, thereby speeding up the fat-burning process.
So instead of having to take cold showers to achieve those results, you might get the same effects by taking a few drops of CBD oil instead.
Best CBD Strain for Weight Loss
While no strain in and of itself is guaranteed to lower your weight, there are some strains that may be more effective than others when it comes to losing it. Take a look at our list below for the top three picks for CBD and cannabis for weight loss.
Charlotte’s Web
With the reputedly tasty Charlotte’s web CBD oil, weight loss could be within your grasp. It’s noted for having a pleasant flavour and an extremely high average CBD content of 17% (although it can be as high as 20%). As well as a very low THC content of less than 1%.
Because of the low THC levels and the resulting lack of a noticeable “high”, it’s the perfect choice for daily use.
Ringo’s Gift
This strain boasts a substantial 15% average CBD content (as much as 20%) and as little as 1% THC, which justifies its position on this list. It’s a hybrid strain of Harle-Tsu and AC/DC, both of which are commended for their high CBD and low THC contents. It does offer more of a body “high” though, so bear in mind that it can make you pretty mellow and relaxed.
Harle-Tsu
Although the CBD content in Harle-Tsu is a lower 10% on average, the maximum it can contain is a whopping 22%. Combine this with a THC content that is less than 1%, and we have a significant contender for an excellent choice in weight loss strains. It’s also a great daytime choice as feeling energized is a common side effect of this strain.
CBD Oil Dosage for Weight Loss
Now that you know some of the best strains, you might be wondering how to use them. Apart from CBD in an oil form, you can also encounter CBD as gummies, cannabis, capsules, or even as a CBD weight loss tea.
One of the best forms of CBD to regulate an incremental dose is with the oil. This is because gummies and capsules usually have a set dosage per unit ingested and you can’t tailor a dosage specific to your requirements.
If you opt to use CBD oil, your dose will depend on the strength and quality of the product as well as your own tolerance for it. Higher strengths will mean smaller doses and vice versa.
If you’re a newcomer to the wonderful world of CBD, it’s always recommended to start with a small dose to see how it affects you. From there, you can observe the effects and make adjustments to your dose. If you’d like some more information, take a look at our CBD dosage chart.
Conclusion
As discussed, the connection between CBD oil and weight loss is an ongoing study and suggests in multiple studies that CBD can be effective in helping you shed those extra kilos. It appears to suppress your appetite and change how your body burns fat, but it won’t do all the heavy lifting on its own.
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that there is no magic get-thin-quick ingredient. You’ll still need to be careful with your calorie intake and make adjustments to your diet and exercise so that you get the maximum benefit from using CBD for weight loss purposes.
Remember that quality plays an important role when it comes to CBD, so you’re more likely to get the results you want when you use a better quality product.
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