Does smoking weed make you lose weight? The unexpected link between cannabis and metabolism

• A study published in 2019 found lower rates of obesity in those who smoke cannabis.
• Research has found a link between the endocannabinoid system, appetite, and metabolism.

Smoking weed is often associated with an increased appetite, i.e. the "munchies." That extra snacking is surely a precursor to weight gain, right?

One large $4 tells a different story.

The study indicated lower rates of obesity, on average, in those who smoke weed. This raises questions around how cannabis could play a role in combating the $4

Research looking at cannabis and its effects on appetite, weight, and $4 is ongoing, but there appears to be a connection.

Here's what you need to know about weed and weight loss.

Does cannabis directly cause weight loss?

The 2019 study did not indicate a clear causal relationship between cannabis and weight loss. In fact, the study's authors cautioned that weed $4 as a weight loss aid.

$4, a medical doctor and Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, says the 2019 study doesn't prove anything, but it is interesting. "There are no studies on using cannabis to cause weight loss," he says.

In fact, there are only five FDA-approved substances that have been scientifically proven to directly $4 beyond basic calorie-restriction, and cannabis is not one of them.

Note: The FDA has approved orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), and semaglutide (Wegovy) for long-term use against weight loss.

Evidence that cannabis can indirectly lead to weight loss is weak. But, there are some ways that researchers say it could influence weight loss:

• Better $4, which leads to better metabolic health
• $4 due to pain relief
• Reduced calories from alcohol, for people replacing alcohol with weed

Cannabis and metabolism

As the science around cannabis continues to advance, it's becoming clearer to researchers how it may affect $4 and metabolism.

In fact, a $4 of regular cannabis users found multiple blood markers related to metabolism in participants' blood after they either smoked, vaporized, or ingested cannabis vs. a placebo.

This may be because cannabis affects the $4, which is integral to regulating bodily functions like memory, sleep, pain, immune responses, and appetite.

THC activates a receptor in the endocannabinoid system called cannabinoid receptor type 1. Here's how $4 that it affects body weight:

• An overactive receptor may promote $4 and elevated fat levels.

• Blocking this receptor may reduce body weight and fat levels, according to $4 on $4.

However, while THC activates the receptor, $4 has found that another cannabinoid compound may have the ability to block it without causing psychoactive effects.

"There is one cannabinoid, which is relatively rare, called THCV that does seem, in rodents, to decrease appetite. However, this has not been shown in humans," says Tishler.

So, unlike $4, THCV may have appetite suppressing qualities. However, more human research is needed to draw a connection between THCV, appetite reduction, and weight loss.

Note: $4 in some $4of weed.

Cannabis may cause you to eat more, not less

The "$4" is when people who have used cannabis experience a surge of hunger thought to be $4 in the drug.

There is scientific research to indicate that $4 and, as a result, may increase body mass in individuals who consume excess calories beyond their energy needs on any given day.

In fact, $4 to boost appetite and $4 in people who struggle to eat, such as people with HIV/AIDS or people undergoing treatment for cancer.

But there's a catch: Despite the fact that initial, or acute, THC use boosts appetite and drives eating, $4 have found that chronic (daily or near-daily) THC use also seems to prevent weight and fat gain.

This phenomenon is also reflected in humans: While cannabis use is associated with a $4, regular users, on average, still have $4 and $4 of $4.

Scientists are still trying to make sense of this juxtaposition, and more research is needed before they can draw hard conclusions.

The "munchies" issue

For some, not smoking weed may be a better choice when it comes to weight loss.

"If cannabis use for you leads to munchies, and you have a tendency to satisfy those munchies with high-calorie foods, then stopping cannabis may be necessary," says Tishler.

If you're using cannabis for a medical issue, then Tishler recommends making sure you have plenty of $4 around for when the munchies hit.

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean $4, like chicken, fish, and yogurt, are more satiating and healthy options than processed, high-fat junk foods.

"I always tell my patients that if they have a bag of Doritos, they will eat it. If, on the other hand, they only have access to carrots, they'll eat those instead. Hence, buy carrots, not Doritos," says Tishler.

Insider's takeaway

Smoking weed does not seem to directly cause weight loss. In fact, using weed causes a spike in appetite — the munchies — which could contribute to weight gain.

However, as scientists continue to study cannabis and the endocannabinoid system, it's becoming more apparent that it is linked to appetite, energy regulation, and metabolism.

Despite some promising findings around the endocannabinoid system and obesity, scientists still haven't made a direct link between using weed and weight loss.