Along with the infamous THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD or cannabidiol is a chemical component of the cannabis plant. But unlike THC, it is not psychoactive, which doesn’t have extreme side effects like hallucinations. That’s why many researchers are also looking into its health benefits.

Oils and edibles are the primary ways to ingest CBD. It was initially extracted to alleviate the epileptic episodes of children with Dravet syndrome. Over time, though, more and more studies have led to the discovery of other health benefits associated with cannabidiol.

One particular advantage of CBD is for weight loss. While further studies are still needed for the claim, some clinical results have shown how CBD oil can help you with weight loss through:

Appetite Suppression

Movie portrayals always show people who get high on marijuana as having a massive appetite. However, the opposite is true for CBD users. THC is the chemical component that causes hunger, not CBD.

Cannabinoid receptors 1, or CB1, play a significant role in a person’s appetite. While THC is a stimulant, CBD is an antagonist, but it doesn’t directly influence CB1’s function. Instead, it directs other molecules to block the receptors, which leads to suppressing the appetite and reducing the likelihood of overeating for most people.

Fat Breakdown

In 2018, a group of researchers investigated the role of cannabinoids in obesity. They found that there are three types of adipocytes or adipose tissue cells that play a role in breaking down fat:

• White – White adipocytes are the ones responsible for fat storage as well as hormone secretion. They’re known as a component of “bad” fats.
• Brown – Brown adipose tissue cells are involved in thermogenesis or heat production to keep the body warm. This is the type of fat that is used up for energy.
• Beige – Meanwhile, beige adipocytes are in transition from white to brown cells. These are the ones that are being considered as a therapeutic target for obesity.

CBD’s interaction with CB receptors is deemed as a potential anti-obesity tool because the receptors help in the transformation of the adipocytes from white to brown. Consuming quality CBD oil can facilitate weight loss because of this cell browning process.

Glucose Absorption

Insulin resistance is a significant contributor to obesity. It occurs when there’s too much glucose in the body, and the pancreas struggles to regulate it by producing more insulin.

However, this leads the blood sugar levels to plummet, which can lead an individual to feel sluggish and hungry. Thus, the person overeats again, leading the glucose to shoot back up and continuing the cycle once more.

A major dietary overhaul is necessary to jump off of this glucose-insulin roller coaster. Fortunately, CBD has also been found to promote cell glucose uptake and reverse insulin-resistant state.

Mitochondrial Function

Glucose uptake is also associated with mitochondrial function. The mitochondrion is the part of the cell that converts blood sugar into energy. However, this cell organ malfunctions in people who have already developed insulin resistance.

Studies have shown that CBD application led to an improvement in mitochondrial function, specifically in the breaking down of fat cells and converting it into energy.

Inflammation Inhibition

Recent research has found that inflammation may be a cause, as well as a side effect of epilepsy. This may be the reason why CBD is effective in alleviating the symptoms of children with Dravet syndrome, which is a type of epilepsy that’s characterized by seizures from fever.

One of the significant health benefits of CBD is that it improves inflammation, especially in the pancreas. This inhibition prevents the destruction of beta cells, which aids in the production of insulin.

Another inflammation benefit brought about by CBD is that it regulates the overstimulation of the endocannabinoid system. This group is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis or balance in the body.

Overstimulation of the endocannabinoid system can impact your immunity, cardiovascular health, digestion, mental well-being, eye health, appetite, and memory, among many others. It’s crucial to keep the balance of hormones in your body, and CBD can help you with this task.

Conclusion

CBD can aid you in your weight loss goals. It’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system, and CB receptors can lead to appetite suppression. Moreover, this chemical also promotes the transformation of bad fats into good ones, which can then be used by your body’s mitochondria for energy.

Lastly, CBD also inhibits cellular inflammation, which is believed to be the cause of illnesses. To make it more manageable to incorporate CBD in your daily diet,  you can consume it in oil or other edible forms.