lots of my friends have lost lots of weight, starting at about 65 kilos they've lost 20 or so kilos, the boys who were a bit bigger have lost 20-30 kilos, how is this possible when weed makes people eat, (the munchies)? is it the marijuana that makes people loose weight or is it the lifestyles there living, eg some walk long distances to get weed and dont care about much else than smoking weed, but they all eat i see them, and often its a lot of bad food that would make someone normal fat?
so whats the answer loose or gain weight?
thanks guys
The SteadyHealth member who started the discussion wondered how it's possible that some of his friends who use marijuana lost 20 or more kilograms when weed is supposed to make people eat more, i.e. the munchies. He also wondered if it's the marijuana that makes people lose weight or the lifestyles there living, e.g. walking long distances to get weed, not caring about much else than smoking weed (including eating), etc. However, he noted that he sees them eating all the time, mostly junk food that would make someone normal fat? So he asked the community:
Does weed make people lose or gain weight?
Others joined in, giving polarizing answers. While some noticed weight gain, although rarely, most participants reported weight loss or inability to gain weight while smoking weed. One participant noted that weight loss and weight gain in a cannabis smoker depends highly on the individual, as well as a few things that may cause weight loss, including a method of taking cannabis, the type and grade of cannabis, and lifestyle choices.
Others noted that depending on how much someone smokes they might eat more frequently and when they do they wouldn't eat that much at all. One participant said that he wasn't sure how the pot affects other people, but when he smokes weed it makes him hungry and thirsty (for water).
Many attributed their weight loss not to marijuana but to a healthier lifestyle, including workouts, healthy diet, quitting nicotine and alcohol, taking naps less frequently (common in pot smokers), etc. Marijuana apparently stopped the cravings.
After I started smoking, and this was a very quick change, something switched in my mind. I stopped craving food all the time.
Other participant noted the similar:
I've been smoking about a year but before I was smoking I was gaining weight despite exercise and walks.
It's been also noted that some people lose weight because weed relaxes them and stress is a huge contributor to weight gain, so people who are less stressed are bound to lose weight or stay at the same weight. There were also those who agreed that the weed does not affect your weight. Some mentioned that marijuana has been clinically proven to not alter your metabolism. However, that's untrue. Cannabis belongs to the group of depressants which are known to slow or 'depress' the function of the central nervous system.
One of the clinically proven behavioral and physiological effects of cannabis is an increased appetite. There are some findings that may introduce medical cannabis in anorexia treatment or to promote weight gain in chronically ill patients (HIV/AIDS). According to some research mentioned in the discussion, the regular pot smokers are more likely to have smaller waists, lower insulin levels, higher levels of good cholesterol, and less likely to be obese or have diabetes. This, however, requires further research.
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and pot has been clinically proven to not alter your metabolism.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/How-drugs-affect-your-body
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00523627 -
There is no direct evidence that Marijuana alone is the cause of weight gain or loss, but it is perscribed for the treatment of anorexia, and nausea to increase appetite.
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/quality_safety/4.2DronabinolCritReview.pdf
http://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/THC.pdf -
actually marijuana has been proven to speed up your metabolism, which is why u get the munchies.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5429335/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5123717/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224400/ -
However, cannabis helps to increase appetite, and so could help in aiding those with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058662/ -
Marijuana smokers are proven to have smaller waist & better cholesterol.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4718895/
What do experts say?
Marijuana use is commonly associated with increased appetite and the likelihood of weight gain. However, the existing research findings in this area are mixed, with most studies reporting associations between cannabis and weight, and rarely take important predictors such as physical activity, socioeconomic status, alcohol and other drug use into account.
Furthermore, the research shows that smoking marijuana affects the mechanisms that trigger hunger in our brain, which is associated with snacking behavior, colloquially referred to as “the munchies.”
While it would be expected — as a body of evidence suggests — that long-term cannabis use can lead to weight gain, some studies have shown that smoking marijuana doesn't lead to weight gain — in fact, it might actually help you lose weight.
Two independent surveys, one in France and another in Australia, analyzed the obesity among cannabis smokers. Both surveys found that cannabis users were much less likely to be obese or overweight.
The team of economists and statisticians analyzed the CDC data to see how rates of overweight, obesity, drinking, binge drinking, and physical activity changed in each U.S. state that legalized medical marijuana. Overall, they found that the likelihood of obesity decreased by 2 to 6 percent in states that passed medical marijuana laws.
Despite these results, there is still a shortage of evidence about the relationship between the use of cannabis and obesity. Further research and placebo-trails are required to confirm the link.
Another study analyzed the relationships between marijuana use and body mass index over time. While cannabinoid receptors have been found to stimulate appetite, the data derived from a population sample in this study suggest that cannabis use is inversely associated with BMI among young adults. The results showed that daily female marijuana users have a BMI that was approximately 3.1% lower than that of non-users, whereas daily male users have a BMI that was approximately 2.7% lower than that of non-users.
This association could be attributed to change in nutritional habits and eating behavior of cannabis users. However, the study also concluded that long-term longitudinal research is required to investigate the temporal association between cannabis use and subsequent BMI.
Some studies found that cannabis use actually leads to weight gain. One study conducted in 2015 by Canadian researchers found that cannabis use triggered significant and consistent weight gain in men, but not in women. It has been suggested, that particular strains of cannabis that are high to moderately high in THC are more likely to trigger weight gain, particularly among regular users. However, a piece of additional evidence is required to confirm this claim.
Besides men and users who use cannabis strains higher in THC, marijuana use can also influence weight gain in people who have risk factors for obesity or metabolic syndrome. This, however, also requires further research.
Links:
- Sabia, J. J., Swigert, J., & Young, T. (2015). The Effect of Medical Marijuana Laws on Body Weight. Health Economics, 26(1), 6–34.
- Hayatbakhsh, M. R., O’Callaghan, M. J., Mamun, A. A., Williams, G. M., Clavarino, A., & Najman, J. M. (2010). Cannabis Use and Obesity and Young Adults. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 36(6), 350–356
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4204468/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27572145
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091305715001690?via%3Dihub
Discussion highlights
Marijuana use and weight gain/loss
Many recommended leading a healthy lifestyle
- I tried to exercise, eat right, cut out booze, etc.
- i know weed makes some lazy but if you do something fun like ridding your bike you will lose the weight.
- I went to the gym everyday and did mostly cardio.
- NEVER ate shitty food.
- only only only put healthy food in my mouth.
In conclusion
Marijuana use is associated with snacking behavior, i.e. “the munchies” that may contribute to weight gain, particularly in men. However, the body of evidence suggests that long-term cannabis use might actually help you lose weight, but only if you exercise and eat healthy foods.