Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many phytocannabinoids found in the hemp plant. It’s popularly used to reduce chronic pain and inflammation, relieve anxiety, and promote a restful night of sleep. But now, consumers are wondering if they can take CBD for weight loss, and studies show there could be some benefits to taking CBD oil while trying to lose weight.

How CBD Affects Metabolism

We all know that our metabolism plays a huge role in weight gain and loss, but exactly why is this? Essentially, your metabolism manages calorie usage and fat storage—two main contributors to body weight. Recent research supports the notion that CBD may boost metabolism and potentially promote healthy weight loss.

Your metabolism is also responsible for the process of thermogenesis (the amount of energy the body utilizes to process a food group). A recent study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism noted that researchers discovered CBD increased thermogenesis of all macronutrients and decreased susceptibility to hepatic steatosis (fat deposit build up in the liver). This was due to the effects of CBD oil for weight loss, which upregulated genes associated with food metabolism and fat oxidation. Simply put, CBD helped burn more fat in this situation.

Another study published in Frontiers of Neuroscience stated that CBD may affect daily food intake. However, hemp-derived CBD won’t increase appetite like marijuana does to many people (better known as the “munchies”). CBD interacts indirectly with CB1 receptors and areas of the brain that are related to the amount of food we eat, as well as our hunger and satiety signals. CBD helps regulate these signals and hormone pathways, therefor reducing appetite and decreasing caloric intake.

CBD for Fat Loss

The body has two different types of fat, white and brown. Humans have a higher percentage of white fat which is responsible for temperature regulation, protecting your internal organs, and as a back-up source of energy. It is also the type of fat linked to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).

Brown fat plays a bit of a different role as it burns calories to create heat and maintain body temperature in cold environments. White fat can be converted to brown fat through exercise and sufficient amounts of sleep. Brown fat is more metabolically active (burns more calories) because it has more mitochondria, the quintessential “powerhouses” of every cell in the body.

According to research published in the journal of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, CBD may support the conversion of white fat to brown, therefore burning calories at an increased rate and possibly resulting in weight loss. This is also promising regarding chronic conditions that are caused by excess white fat accumulation.

The Importance of a Healthy Diet

Although CBD hemp oil may support the browning of white fat and increases in thermogenesis, it does not completely replace a healthy diet. CBD supports the functions that may promote weight loss, but only if you are consuming a balanced diet as well.

In order to maintain a healthy weight, you need whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes—all of which contain vital minerals and vitamins that your body requires on a daily basis to function optimally. You can also introduce more natural herbs for weight loss to give an added boost to your diet plan.

Can CBD Help You Exercise?

Some research does show slight correlations between fat oxidation (burning fat) and CBD supplementation, however it is not an excuse to not move your body.

Exercise has a host of hormonal benefits such as increases in HGH (human growth hormone) which is linked to longevity and increases in muscle mass, which in turn leads to a boost in metabolism. Exercise also improves cardiac endurance and heart health, which becomes more helpful as we age or incur injury and cannot exercise consistently.

CBD also has the added benefit of decreasing muscle aches and recovery times after working out, which can make it easier to exercise more often. This is because CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory with analgesic (pain-killing) properties that can decrease pain from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). CBD oil also does not have any nasty side effects like those associated with NSAIDs and other over-the-counter pain relievers.

Different ways to take CBD for Weight Loss

There are a slew of different application styles and CBD products available, although some are better than others when it comes to weight loss. CBD oils are a good option since they start working quickly (within 30 minutes), but don’t have many other ingredients—so you won’t have to worry about calories, sugars, sodium, etc.

CBD gummies on the other hand are more likely to contain added flavorings or sugary ingredients. While taking a couple of gummies each day won’t throw off your diet plan, it is something you’ll want to take into consideration when choosing the best CBD product for weight loss. If you like the thought of an easy, daily dose but want to skip the sugary gummy, a capsule or softgel may be a more efficient way to take CBD for weight loss.

Other products like CBD creams may help decease aches and pains caused by exercise, but they won’t do much for you when it comes to metabolism, appetite, and other CBD oil benefits that tinctures and capsules can provide.

Takeaways on CBD for Weight Loss

A lot of people are turning to supplements for weight loss, and CBD is one of the best options for a natural plant derivative that can support a healthy mind and body. There are also many other wellness advantages to taking CBD oil for weight loss, including its ability to promote balance in a variety of bodily systems and processes. In conjunction with a proper diet and exercise regimen, CBD may be give you the added boost that you’re looking for when trying to lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle.