4 Potential Benefits of Cannabis for Weight Loss

Whether you’re a recreational cannabis user or not, you are probably familiar with the so-called “munchies” or the feeling of hunger that smoking marijuana causes. You’ve probably seen this in movies and TV shows plenty of times. So by that logic, it would be safe to assume that smoking cannabis would make you overweight, right?

However, the truth is actually a little bit more complex. Some researchers have reasons to believe there is a correlation between using marijuana and being thin. There are countless cannabinoids in marijuana and different cannabis strains tend to have very different effects.

So how can cannabis help you lose weight? 

In this article, we will discuss four benefits of cannabis for weight loss.

As a Cannabis User You’re Less Likely to Become Obese 

Contrary to the well-known stereotype that cannabis users can eat more than the rest of us, newer studies show that using marijuana can actually reduce the chances of obesity. These studies revealed a potential link between cannabis and lower fasting insulin levels, lower body mass index, and a slimmer waist. 

Researchers examined extensive data from a survey in which more than 33,000 people participated in order to determine whether regular cannabis users are more likely to gain weight. The study showed that marijuana users are less likely to become overweight. In fact, marijuana users had a healthier weight and a tendency to stay at that weight, researchers concluded. 

However, researchers are not sure exactly what causes marijuana users to stay slim so the causality remains unclear.

Cannabis Has Appetite Suppressing Strains

The cannabinoid that is most often related to increased appetite is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. But THC is just one of the many different cannabinoids. More recent studies have discovered that another cannabinoid might actually reverse the effect of THC. 

Tetrahydrocannabivarin or THCV is a minor component of marijuana found in very small amounts in most cannabis strains. When used in small doses, it is not possible to get high on THCV. 

However, this component is known for the multiple health benefits that other marijuana components (such as THC and CBD) do not have. THCV can help treat neurodegenerative diseases and a number of other medical conditions. But perhaps the best-known health benefit of THCV is the ability to suppress appetite. Unlike THC which increases your appetite, THCV increases satiety thus making you feel full for longer periods of time.


That means that THCV won’t make you grab the nearest processed foods and start eating. On the contrary, it won’t make you feel hungry at all. THCV helps regulate blood sugar which is directly related to the feeling of hunger. When your blood sugar is low, you experience hunger which is when we often reach for unhealthy foods such as pizza and sweets. 

Cannabis Aids in a Restful Sleep

You might be led to believe that all it takes to lose weight is to cut down on calories and exercise. The truth is there more to it than you know. A good night’s sleep is equally important because we burn calories in our sleep

Hence, if you suffer from insomnia or lack of sleep for other reasons, that might impact your weight loss efforts. Also, if you don’t get enough sleep you are likely to eat more. This leads us to another benefit of cannabis for weight loss. 

CBD, a cannabinoid known for its numerous health benefits, can help you sleep better. Medical marijuana is loaded with CBD because it is the non-psychoactive component that brings pain relief and relaxation but doesn’t get you high. 

Cannabis Helps With Fitness

Cannabis can do more than simply help you relax, cannabis is great for weight loss. It is not a secret that many athletes use cannabis to help them concentrate on their training. Some even claim that cannabis enhances their performance. 

CBD is the component responsible for that. This cannabinoid can help you focus on what you’re doing and can boost your motivation. Medical cannabis is related to awareness and mental clarity. If you lack the will to endure an intense workout session, medical cannabis can give you that extra push you need.

Bill Gordon

Bill is a freelance writer and a cannabis enthusiast. He likes writing articles that cover green, eco-friendly and marijuana-related topics. He has written numerous articles and contributed to several other blogs. When he is not writing, he spends his time with his family.