CBD and weight loss: Can it really help you lose weight?
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Reading time 4 min
CBD is used in many everyday contexts, it could help with weight loss. This claim requires careful analysis. What are the biological mechanisms mentioned? What do the studies reveal? And above all, is CBD really effective for weight loss?
To remember
- CBD could promote fat burning by transforming fat cells.
- It helps regulate stress, sleep and appetite, key factors in weight management.
- CBD is not a miracle fat burner, but an ally in a global approach.
The influence of CBD on fat cells
One of the few direct weight-related effects observed in the laboratory concerns the transformation of white adipocytes into brown adipocytes. The latter have a higher metabolic activity, i.e. they burn energy instead of storing it.
A study published in 2016 in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry demonstrated this transformation in vitro. CBD would therefore promote an environment conducive to thermogenesis , responsible for the process more colloquially known as "fat burning." For the time being, however, no data yet show that this effect occurs on a sufficient scale to have a visible impact on weight loss.
CBD modulates appetite
Unlike THC, which is known to stimulate hunger, CBD does not stimulate the appetite, and may even help to regulate the sensation of hunger. Many users report a reduction in cravings, particularly in times of stress. This effect is thought to be linked to an action on mood-related receptors (such as 5-HT1A) and dopamine.
However, this modulation of appetite is not systematic. Nibbling or compulsive eating may not be the result of body regulation, but linked to overly intense emotions. In other words, if you snack out of habit or boredom, CBD probably won't stop you.
Cortisol and stress responsible for abdominal fat
One of the most consistent effects of CBD concerns the management of chronic stress, which plays a major role in weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area. High cortisol levels promote fat storage and stimulate hunger.
Several clinical trials have shown that CBD significantly reduces stress markers in people suffering from anxiety or insomnia. Better stress management could therefore indirectly contribute to curbing cortisol-related weight gain.
This doesn't mean that CBD melts belly fat, but that it can help regulate stress levels and therefore limit weight gain.
Sleep quality and hormone regulation
Poor-quality sleep disrupts two key hormones: ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, and leptin, which curbs the sensation of hunger. A sleep-deprived person will therefore tend to eat more without feeling satiated.
CBD is often used to help people fall asleep and improve sleep quality. By regulating the sleep-wake cycle, it helps to rebalance the hormonal system linked to hunger, which can facilitate long-term weight loss.
Physical activity, recovery and CBD
CBD's other potential benefit lies in its anti-inflammatory action. For active people, it can relieve aches and pains, speed up muscle recovery and enable a quicker return to exercise. This may facilitate regular physical activity, a fundamental element in weight loss.
Some studies also show a CBD effect on reducing chronic pain, which could help sedentary people resume progressive physical activity.
No weight loss without the right lifestyle
No serious study has shown that CBD can influence significant weight loss in humans. There is no precise dosage, nor any protocol validated specifically for this purpose.
However, CBD could help you change your habits. Because weight management is the result of several parameters including a balanced diet, low in saturated fat and sugar, good sleep, regular exercise, and regulated stress levels. So CBD is a good support, but not a miraculous slimming method.
So Mama advises you to take CBD as a boost, not as a quick fix. CBD inoil form can help you find a balance in your daily life, to support you and improve your well-being.
Article written by Benjamin Poirel-Nadal
Passionate about natural well-being and plants with multiple virtues, I've been exploring the benefits of CBD and its various forms for several years.
My aim? To share with you clear information, honest opinions and practical advice to help you integrate CBD into your daily life with confidence and serenity.
