Hundreds of fad diets, weightloss programs, and outright scams promise quick and easy weight loss. With 1 billion adults suffering from obesity worlwide, and this number being on the rise in an exponential manner, obesity has emerged as a serious concern. To everybody’s surprise, CBD, or cannabidiol in cannabis has been identified as a potential aid for treating this condition, in the recent times. At such a time, when new gates on research on cannabis is opening up, with its scope expanding, and cannabis legalisation slowly but steadily spreading its roots, this result, or more of a revelation, has been a huge success. THC in cannabis, is known for its property as an appetite stimulator however CBD, the primary source of medicinal cannabis, turns out to be an appetite suppressant.
CBD for weightloss
CBD, unlike THC, binds to CB2 receptors and does not activate the CB1 receptors. Being a CB1 receptor antagonist, CBD functions in a manner opposite to that of THC, thereby reducing the appetite. As research results state, CBD, can also convert “white fat”, or harmful fat into “brown fat”, or good fat, which bolsters the calorie burning mechanism of the body. There have also been claims of CBD effectively helping in melting the fat generated in the body and speeding the excretion process of fat as waste from the body. These factors are conducive in making the body less susceptible to obesity. With lesser risk of obesity, comes many other benefits such as lesser risk of other metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholestrol and high blood pressure.
What is THCV? How does it help in weightloss?
Study published in a journal, Phytomedicine, states that when obese rats were infused with Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), another identified cannabinoid in cannabis, effectively contibuted towards the rats losing weight, like CBD. Surveys, released by University of Colorado, also indicated that people who consumed cannabis, with pure THCV, which is found to have anorexic properties, were more motivated for their respective athletic activities. THCV, counteracts THC, by ensuring that THC’s effect do not sustain in the body for long. With THC’s effects curtailed, the craving for munchies subside. The working behind this phenomenon, is based on the binding affinity of these cannabinoids to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, present in the body. THCV, like CBD, prevents binding of THC to the CB1 receptors and further, itself binds to CB2 recptors, at larger doses, producing the counter productive effect. In the latter process, THCV helps in maintaining the glucose level in the system and contracting the body’s resistance to insulin. This combined effect of THCV allows the body to sustain ‘beneficial level’ of cholestrol in the body, which in turn fastens the rate of metabolism in one’s body, preventing the body from storing high amount of energy in the body. This allows the body to have a significantly less BMI, or body mass index and inhibits the body from consistently gaining weight. Activation of CB2 receptors by THCV, also assist in decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress, which can be monumental in the treatment of diabetes.
Cannabis strains for weightloss
A French pharmaceutical company, introduced Rimonabant in the market as an anti-obesity drug, in 2006. Rimonabant, containing THCV, became a huge success in the market. Following this success, people started looking for cannabis strains with high content of THCV in it. And as established by studies, Cannabis sativa strains are abundant in THCV. Some of these strains are: Durban Poison, Doug’s Varin, Dutch street and Girl scout cookies.
Word From HempStreet
Since the studies and results on cannabis being effective for weightloss is relatively new, it is advised to be well-informed before indulging in its usage. Purchasing drugs such as Rimonabant, should only be done from an authorised cannabis dispensary. Although as Paul Daley, chief science officer at California Cannabinoids, the brand behind Doug’s Varin, says, “We are getting reports of weight loss that are sustained”, there is a lot more scope to learn and study about the same. As Dr. Patricia Frye, chief medical officer at HelloMD, a digital healthcare platform devoted to the cannabis industry, goes on to say, “After all, nature has been working on this plant a lot longer than we have.”
