It seems like the weight loss industry is as old as
time itself. Ever since the dawn of man,
humans have had two motivations: looking good in order to attract a mate and
feeling good in terms of being in good overall health. Therefore, it’s no wonder that the weight
loss industry remains one of the top industries in the world as it combines
these two natural biological instincts.
Because of the massive weight loss market, weight loss fads have come
and gone with some being more questionable than others.
If you’ve been paying attention to the natural health
world, you know that CBD is being touted as the end-all-be-all of holistic
products. It seems that this plant-based
compound can soothe anxiety, ease menstrual cramps and obliterate
migraines. CBD advocates may have also
come across a fascinating bit of research that shows that this compound may
have the ability to aid in weight loss in a way that’s relatively safe and
completely natural.
So, can CBD actually help a person lose weight? In order to answer that question, we’re going
to have to get into the unique way in which this cannabinoid interacts with the
human body while diving into some of the studies that support this claim.
What’s
with the Weight Loss Craze, Anyway?
A disturbingly large number of Americans are
considered overweight according to clinical standards, with an equally alarming
percentage being obese. As we know,
being overweight can be extremely taxing on a person’s health. Obesity and being overweight can lead to all
types of health conditions ranging from heart disease to diabetes. And, being overweight can actually decrease a
person’s life expectancy.
Besides being a health problem, being overweight can
be quite damaging to a person’s sense of self-confidence. Unfortunately, we live in a society which
continues to value appearances, which means that those who are overweight tend
to feel as though they are not accepted according to social standards. Therefore, it’s no surprise that weight loss
is a trend that never has and probably never will go away.
The
Most Popular Weight Loss Methods of the Moment
Throughout the ages, weight loss fads have come and
gone. Of course, we know that the most
effective way to lose weight is through diet and exercise. The problem is that diet and exercise won’t
necessarily help a person reach what’s considered a healthy body weight,
because we now know that certain medical conditions such as hypothyroidism can
make it extremely difficult for a person to lose weight, even if they’re doing
everything right according to doctors.
There have always been questionable weight loss
products on the market, and today’s are just as potentially dangerous as the
ones that were introduced in the Victorian era.
Particularly concerning is the trend of detox teas that act as
aggressive laxatives that can actually disrupt the digestive tract. And, of course, crash diets continue to be
popular despite the fact that they can lead to extremely dangerous results.
Needless to say, most weight loss fads should be
avoided because they lack the medical research to back them up, meaning that
they can be harmful to a person’s health, not to mention ineffective.
The
Endocannabinoid System
The human body benefits very much from cannabinoids,
as it turns out, and that’s because of the endocannabinoid system. This crucial system is found in every mammal
and plays a large role in the maintenance of homeostasis, which is a state in
which all of the bodily processes are operating properly. The endocannabinoid system makes its own
cannabinoids that are distributed throughout the body in order to bond with
cannabinoid receptors. This fascinating
system ensures that bodily processes such as immune function, cognitive
function, mood and pain tolerance are regulated.
If a person is naturally deficient in cannabinoids,
the endocannabinoid system will struggle to do its job. CBD is a natural cannabinoid that comes from
the hemp plant, and it’s capable of replenishing our supply of cannabinoids in
order to help the body maintain overall health.
There are many bodily processes that have a direct
impact on our weight. For instance,
thyroid function has a heavy influence on our metabolism. The endocannabinoid system plays a large role
in balancing thyroid function. There are
other factors as well such as inflammation levels and mood that can affect how
we gain and lose weight.
Anti-Inflammatory
Compounds and White Adipose Tissue
It’s believed that those who are obese have
inflammation of the white adipose tissue which presents itself in the form of
body fat. Therefore, medical researchers
believe that high levels of bodily inflammation are linked to a greater chance
of becoming obese.
What’s fascinating is that CBD
has been found to have an extremely high level of anti-inflammatory activity,
meaning that it can affect the inflammation of white adipose tissue. It helps break down the tissue by reducing
the inflammation that sustains it in the body.
CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties are so profound that many believe
it’s one of the few highly effective treatments for migraine headaches as well
as chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
The
Role of “Mood” in Weight
Many studies have found a link between chronic stress
and weight gain, as well as chronic stress and compulsive eating. Excessive cortisol in the blood can cause the
body to hold onto fat as a way to store energy in the event of a life-threatening
emergency. Meanwhile, high levels of
stress can cause a person to overeat as a form of self-medication.
CBD
has the unique ability to reduce the chances of overeating
by regulating the amount of cortisol that’s secreted from the brain during
moments of stress.
Studies Linking CBD Consumption to Weight Loss
A recent study found
that CBD intake can promote the browning of adipose tissue. When white adipose tissue experiences
browning, it means that fat cells are being broken down by the body
properly. This can lead to weight loss.
Another study found that
rats lost weight when they were given CBD oil. The research found that CB2 receptors may be
responsible for regulating body weight.
Taking
CBD as a Potential Weight Loss Aid
If you wish to use CBD for weight loss, we recommend
finding a high-quality, potent tincture and taking it daily. You may increase your dose as needed.
Overall, CBD seems to be able to benefit the body in a
wide variety of ways thanks to the endocannabinoid system. Therefore, it’s not surprising that it might
be able to help a person manage their body weight. We suggest giving it a try and seeing for
yourself if it’s capable of delivering the results that you desire.
However, it’s a good idea first, to consult with your
doctor or physician.
Leave a Reply