Does Weed Make You Lose Weight?

Does weed cause weight loss? The most recent study published on the effect of cannabis on the human body has been met with a great deal of skepticism from those that have not experienced the effects first hand. Even though the study was carried out in a controlled environment, it can still be considered inconclusive and that much needs to be proven. This article aims to shed some light on this issue.

The study published by a team of French researchers has shown a correlation between the use of cannabis and fatty liver disease (FLD). They did so by tracking the history of 515 current and former cannabis consumers over a five-year period. The study showed that there was an overall significant reduction in the levels of both omega-3 fatty acids as well as EPA seen in the latter group compared to the former. The conclusion of the study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that users of cannabis are at risk of developing fatty liver disease if they continued to smoke weed even after the disease had been eliminated.

But does this mean that all people who consume cannabis are destined to develop FLD? This study published by the same researchers showed that there was a significant association between the two variables. However, the study only included those who smoked marijuana frequently. Hence, it is difficult to conclude whether or not regular cannabis use leads to the development of fatty liver. Further studies should be conducted in order to determine whether regular use of the drug can indeed result in weight gain, not just among heavy cannabis consumers but also among those who do not smoke the substance. Some experts opine that regular cannabis users are at a higher risk of developing obesity due to the fact that the active ingredient of the drug is THC, which has an appetite-suppressing effect.

The above results come as no surprise to medical professionals as a lot of the medicinal properties of cannabis have been already discovered and are used for treating different illnesses. In fact, the discovery of the medicinal properties of cannabis was way back in the 19th century. Regular cannabis use however has more health benefits to offer than the opposite. One of the latest findings from the study of the relationship between weight loss and cannabis consumption has been that heavier cannabis consumers tend to have a smaller waistline. This is because the active ingredient of the drug reduces appetite.

Another study published in PLOS ONE last year reported on the effect of cannabis on the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating hunger and regulating metabolism. This is the system which is mainly affected by the genetic architecture of humans. When compared with non-pot smokers, those who smoked the drug had higher levels of endocannabinoid system proteins which indicated less activity in the hypothalamus, which controls appetite and metabolism. These findings imply that regular cannabis use may lead to severe weight loss due to less activity in the hypothalamus.

It is believed that this reduced metabolic rate results in increased calorie intake, which makes a person feel satiated until the next meal or snack. This leads to increased temptation to binge eating, leading to long-term weight loss problems. Therefore, quitting the use of cannabis, especially if you are using it as a chronic form of medication, should be done with great caution.

In addition, using cannabis regularly can cause an alteration of brain chemistry which causes a reduction in sensitivity to tastes and smells. This means that after using marijuana for a period, your body will no longer be able to detect food and beverages which are not edible. This makes one addicted to the drug resulting in quick weight gain and addiction to food. This explains why many patients who begin to lose weight while using cannabis find it hard to quit. Although this is a downside of using cannabis, it is still better than dealing with side effects of losing weight such as lethargy, depression, dizziness and frequent urination.

In conclusion, it can be safely said that using cannabis can result in short-term weight loss. However, these benefits do not last long due to the continued use of the drug. It has also been found out that long-term users suffer from a number of health issues including memory loss, hallucinations, anxiety, tremors, slow heart rate, blurred vision and other ailments. If you are a regular user of cannabis, it is advisable to quit as soon as possible. To help you go through the withdrawal stage of stopping smoking cannabis, consult a doctor or health professional and follow all the necessary instructions.