When it comes to weight loss, people are always looking for ways to achieve it in a healthy way. 

This probably doesn’t come as a surprise, as many American adults and even children are considered obese. In fact, almost 66 percent of adults are considered overweight or obese, and close to 30 percent of children fall into the same category. 

You could step up your exercise regime or change your diet for the better. Both of these approaches require discipline and focus to be successful. However, there’s a lot of discussions right now about whether CBD oil and weight loss have a connection.

Read on to explore more about the subject… 

Extracting The Facts About CBD Oil

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is the non-psychoactive component of cannabis. That means users won’t get the mind-altering effects that THC, another component of cannabis, brings. 

Research has already shown that CBD oil can have a range of positive effects such as pain relief and even improved mood. There is some research about whether it can also help children with epilepsy. 

Several U.S. states have passed laws allowing the use of certain CBD oils, often for medical purposes. However, some other districts have restrictions on the use. At the same time, the stigma of an extract from cannabis still exists. 

Contributing to the stigma of cannabis is the fact that many people smoke the plant, which creates what some consider an unpleasant scent. However, since CBD can be taken as an oil, you can be discreet about the use and there’s no scent to be concerned with. CBD oil is not considered physically addictive. In fact, it may help manage addictions of other substances. 

The Plant Matters

CBD oil can be extracted from two types of the cannabis plant – hemp and marijuana. This is important to the legality of CBD oil in many places. 

The main difference between marijuana and hemp is the THC content. Marijuana can have a high THC content that has been steadily rising in samples over the years – in fact, some samples contain more than 80 percent THC concentration. 

Meanwhile, hemp plants have less than 0.3 percent THC content. Hemp is also known for its many other uses, such as making clothing and even rope. You can even make cement from hemp for increased structural stability. 

Also, hemp is legal in all 50 states. This was brought into effect in with the 2018 Farm Bill. 

The Weight Gain Myth

With the use of cannabis comes the stereotype of a lazy person eating snacks on the couch. This isn’t helped much by how cannabis users are portrayed in shows and movies. And while cannabis can definitely increase your appetite, that’s only if there’s a high THC content. 

CBD oil does not give you the “munchies” as they’re known, which often follows use of cannabis with THC. One of the possible reasons for this is that THC increases the sense of smell and taste of food, leading to more consumption. At the same time, THC binds to the endocannabinoid system of the brain, which controls things like appetite. 

That being said, CBD with no or very little THC content will not lead you to believe you’re starving and then gain weight as a result. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, which we’ll explore. 

CBD Could Boost Metabolism

Your metabolism measures how quickly your body turns food into energy. High metabolism is associated with weight loss. 

There is some evidence that CBD oil may boost your metabolism, therefore speeding up your body’s burning of calories. However, some of the studies that show positive effects in this regard have been performed on mice. It also involves CBD that has been injected, not ingested. 

There’s another study out there that shows CBD could turn “bad” (white) fat into “good” (brown) fat, which may lead to help in burning more calories. Not only could this be a way to tackle obesity, but it also reduces some of the health risks associated with bad fat. 

There’s also some evidence that CBD can help your body break down fats more easily. 

It May Actually Decrease Appetite

As we mentioned, CBD may have an opposite effect on the appetite than THC. While THC activates something called CB1 receptors in your body that can raise your appetite, CBD does not activate them. Instead, it may create other processes that block the CB1 receptors, leading to lowered hunger. 

Limiting the number of calories or eating only certain types of food through dieting can lead to disappointing results, or could lead to a rebound effect. Following strict diets that dictate what you can eat and how much have also been linked with eating disorders. 

At the same time, many people don’t get enough activity to complement weight loss methods. One way to get more effective exercise into your day is by partnering with a personal trainer through this homepage. 

Is CBD Oil and Weight Loss A Winning Combo?

The answer to whether CBD oil and weight loss go hand-in-hand may come down to trying it for yourself and measuring the results. There are growing studies about the benefits of using CBD oil to control weight, as well as other health benefits. The CBD industry is relatively new, and there’s not a whole lot of concrete data at the moment. 

However, if you’re obese and have health concerns, you may also want to turn to a doctor or dietician to decide the right approach for you. CBD use can be part of a bigger plan to optimize your health. 

Always follow the guidelines when taking CBD to help avoid any potential side effects such as fatigue. However, CBD has already been shown to be safe when used properly. Also, it won’t make you feel “high” like THC products so you can function normally throughout your day. 

Eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise to maintain your sense of wellbeing. CBD oil may help if you’re trying to shed pounds. In the meantime, read about how CBD can help you during and after a workout.