Does Weed Make You Lose Weight?

Several non-controlled studies have associated marijuana use with lower Body Mass Indexes (BMIs) and thinner waists, as well as fewer cases of obesity and diabetes. One study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that obesity rates are one third lower among marijuana users. Many people have a hard time believing that marijuana users suffer from so little obesity, considering that the drug is notorious for making users crave junk food. In fact, weed smokers consume six hundred more calories a day than their non-smoking counterparts on average. But it’s true, the extra calories consumed because of the munchies don’t seem to result in overall weight gain among marijuana users.

Many scientists suspect that weed can help people maintain a healthy body weight by affecting their fasting insulin levels, meaning the level of insulin in the body before eating. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. Fasting insulin levels that are too low or too high can be a sign of diabetes. Too much insulin also leads to weight gain. Studies like this one show that marijuana users tend to have lower fasting insulin levels than non-users, which may help prevent weight gain and other health problems.

A study published in the journal Obesity found that cannabis use was associated with a lower BMI and a lower percentage of fat mass. The cannabis users who did not smoke tobacco had the lowest average BMI of all the groups studied. While the researchers do not claim that marijuana is a treatment or cure for obesity, they believe that further research on marijuana and obesity could be promising.

Another study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that people who consumed cannabis showed fewer risk factors for diabetes compared to people who do not use cannabis. Marijuana users also had slimmer waists than non-users. Dr. Murray Mittleman, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, said: “The most important finding is that current users of marijuana appeared to have better carbohydrate metabolism than nonusers.” Marijuana also appeared to help the body maintain normal blood-sugar levels and raise levels of high-density lipoprotein, the “good cholesterol” that can help prevent heart disease.

A separate study from the British Medical Journal showed that marijuana users had fewer cases of type two diabetes than people with no history of marijuana use. Researchers adjusted for other factors such as family history and levels of physical activity.

It is important to note that these were not controlled trials. They show correlation, but not necessarily causation. The lower obesity rates in marijuana users could be due to factors other than drug use. While the evidence gathered so far is certainly promising, further study would be needed in order to show whether marijuana would be useful as a weight loss drug or as a way to prevent obesity or diabetes.

It’s always best to consult a medical professional before starting a new weight loss regime. Most weight loss plans should include a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.