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CBD. You’ve heard it could work wonders with what ails you… but, you have a minor concern.

As much as you prefer using natural remedies when possible, the last thing you want is to gain weight because of it.

So… Does CBD make you hungry?

In this post, we’ll discuss the science behind what causes the munchies and whether you have to worry about an uncontrollable appetite after dosing with CBD.

does cbd stimulate appetite

Appetite vs. Hunger

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of it all, let’s just clarify one little detail: hunger vs. appetite.

Hunger is a need to feed oneself. It’s a survival instinct that keeps us from starving to death. Food is energy, and without it, we simply wouldn’t last very long.

Appetite is different from hunger, as it represents the desire to eat and satisfy our body with the types of foods we find appealing.

While it’s totally normal to feel hungry and go in search of food, it’s not hunger that is damaging to our waistlines — it’s our appetite.

So, the real question is: Does CBD stimulate appetite?

Read on to find out.

How Appetite Works

We already know that appetite is the desire to consume foods that taste good or are appealing to the individual.

But what dictates our appetite? Some factors include:

  • Dieting
  • Mental health
  • Pregnancy
  • Medications; and
  • Certain medical conditions

But even without any of the above conditions, appetite can be easily stimulated by:

  • Boredom or stress
  • Smelling or seeing foods that appeal to you
  • Special occasions; and
  • Bad habits

If you think any of the above factors apply to you, then it won’t matter if CBD stimulates your appetite, because you’re already likely to want to eat more. 

Addressing any issues you may have with overeating will be beneficial to your health — with or without CBD.

Does CBD or THC Increase Appetite? The Difference Between the Cannabinoids

CBD suppresses the activity of CB1 and CB2 receptors, while THC is known to be a cannabinoid receptor agonist, increasing the activity of the receptors by more than almost any other substance.

While it may seem like THC could increase your appetite to the point of weight gain, it’s very unlikely. 

One study suggests that marijuana (THC) users were actually less likely to experience obesity compared to non-users.

No clinical studies have been conducted regarding the relationship between CBD and hunger, but based on anecdotal evidence, we know that the differences between CBD and THC are significant. 

Hail Mary Jane has been offering guidance on CBD products for more than a decade. 

Our experts personally test each product for its effectiveness and potency, and we love sharing our experiences.

If you have any questions about CBD and how it will affect you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Does CBD Increase Appetite?

The research is split on whether CBD increases appetite or not. While some evidence suggests CBD has potential weight loss benefits, other indications point toward CBD as an appetite stimulant. 

Since there isn’t enough evidence to make a claim either way, we’ll cover both appetite and weight loss potential.

Does CBD Stimulate Appetite?

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. 

While CBD isn’t going to increase your appetite in the same way THC might, it can promote a healthy appetite in certain individuals.

For example, patients who are overcoming the side effects of cancer treatments (such as nausea), may use CBD to increase their appetite. CBD may decrease inflammation in the gut, which would in turn stimulate the patient’s appetite.

So for anyone suffering from rapid or unhealthy weight loss due to an illness or side effects of a treatment, CBD might be an effective product to promote a healthier appetite.

By design, CBD should not make you hungrier, but in certain individuals, such as those with epilepsy, it has been known to increase appetite.

does cbd oil make you hungry

Does CBD Suppress Appetite?

Some research has indicated that CBD reduces appetite because CB1 receptor antagonists will deactivate or “block off” the receptor. 

The study notes that when stimulated, CB2 receptors decrease inflammation, reduce food intake, and possibly aid in reducing obesity.

Since CBD does not stimulate the CB1 receptor like THC does, and actually acts as a shut-off to the receptor, CBD could suppress appetite.

An older 2012 study discovered that exposure to CBD reduced the appetite of rats, but no studies have been done to prove this to be true in humans.

Does CBD Affect Your Metabolism?

CB1 and CB2 receptors also affect your metabolism. A high metabolism results in weight loss, whereas a lower metabolism is associated with weight gain.

Since early research indicates that CBD could suppress cannabinoid receptor activity, it may also impact your metabolism. 

In most cases, boosting metabolism reduces appetite and contributes to weight loss.

Should CBD Be Used to Lose Weight?

As researchers continue to learn more about CBD and its relationship with appetite and metabolism, some studies involving rats have indicated that CBD may contribute to weight loss.

White fat is the common fat that’s used to store energy and provide a cushion to our organs. But, too much white fat can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease and obesity. 

In this particular study, CBD promoted the conversion of white fat to brown fat in rats. This is usually an indicator of weight loss in humans, as brown fat breaks down glucose and fat molecules.

Though these studies are promising, there still isn’t enough evidence to firmly suggest that CBD can be used as an effective weight loss supplement, as we know that CBD can also indirectly stimulate your appetite.

So, while we aren’t completely clear on how CBD affects hunger and weight loss, we are certain that it can be used as a part of a healthy diet.

Curious about CBD as a weight loss supplement? Speak to one of the experts at Hail Mary Jane about which products offer the most benefits for your needs.

We’ve been researching and testing CBD products for years, and we’re happy to share our experiences with you!

4 Ways to Use CBD Oil to Avoid Hunger and Promote a Healthy Appetite

It all comes down to choices. 

Whether CBD significantly affects your appetite or not, there are plenty of ways it can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle.

#1: Exercise Daily

It goes without saying that daily exercise will help you burn calories, and ultimately help you lose weight. 

If you’re eating too little, you may experience a reduced metabolism, which can negatively impact your weight. 

Exercise not only increases your metabolism, but also releases endorphins that promote a healthy appetite.

We’re not saying you have to start training for a marathon. Just get your body moving in a way that feels good for you and be sure to stick to it every day.

#2: Supplement with Omega Fatty Acids

Omega fatty acids are well-known fat burners. While it sounds as though they might make you fatter, omega-3 fatty acid, in particular, is one of the most potent supplements for maintaining a healthy metabolism and losing weight.

Hemp seed oil happens to be a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and plant proteins (another reason why we love this plant!), both of which can contribute to fat burning and muscle building.

So, grab some hemp seeds and add them as a tasty topper to your next salad.

#3: Maintain a Healthy Eating Schedule

It may seem obvious, but eating at regularly scheduled intervals in the day will help you to lose weight.

If you go too long without food, you’re more likely to make poor decisions or end up snacking excessively.

Whether you’re using CBD, eating proportionate meals at the right times during the day will help maintain a healthy metabolism and prevent you from feeling overly hungry.

#4: Take CBD With Your Meals

If you’ve read to this point, and you’re still asking yourself, “does CBD make you hungry?” then try taking the oil with your meals.

If you’ve already eaten, then it’ll be far less likely that you’ll feel hungry as a result of the CBD.

CBD can be added to smoothies, salads, and almost any other food you’re eating. Just don’t place it over direct heat, as high temperatures can cause it to lose terpenes (important compounds that increase the medical potency of the CBD).

does cbd or thc increase appetite

Hail Mary Jane: Your Trusted Source For CBD Information and Products

No matter which CBD delivery dosages or methods you want to try, Hail Mary Jane is here to help. 

Our #1 priority is to our customers, and we love helping you find the right cannabis products. We’ve been doing it for over 10 years and love sharing our experiences with our customers.

With so many factors to consider in choosing the right CBD products, such as … 

  • How to take it
  • How much and how frequently you should consume it; and 
  • How your body will react to it 

… there’s no need to add the stress of trying to determine which brands you should use as well.

That’s why we are doing the work for you. Our team rates and reviews every brand we can get our hands on (and there are thousands) so that we can help you find your favorites.

Give us a call and let us recommend the best CBD products and all other cannabis-related items that you may be looking for or come see our friends at our favorite medical dispensary in OKC!

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