The munchies, or the sudden onset of hunger, often accompany high-THC cannabis consumption. This effect makes cannabis an ideal treatment for those who need help maintaining a healthy appetite, like medical patients who suffer from disorders like cachexia. Meanwhile, many recreational users would probably rather avoid boosting their appetite for various reasons, including watching their weight.
CBD products have become a widely popular option for those looking to get the medicinal benefits of cannabis without the intoxicating effects of THC. The varied effects of the two cannabinoids also lead people to wonder if the impact on appetite is different as well. If THC induces hunger, can CBD reduce it?
CBD and the Endocannabinoid System
Cannabis and its cannabinoids interact with the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS consists of a few elements, including endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), enzymes, and receptors.
Two receptors play a heavy role in the effects felt from cannabis consumption: CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors are most famous for mediating the intoxicating effects, while the CB2 receptors mediate the immune system and anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.1
The ECS helps the body maintain homeostasis and regulates the central nervous system (CNS), which is responsible for receiving, processing, and responding to sensory information. One of the functions affected by the ECS and CNS is appetite and hunger.2 The CB2 receptors in the gastrointestinal system stimulate food intake, and hunger also shifts the system from energy balance to energy storage. The ECS also reduces the feeling of fullness, which increases how much and how often food intake is needed, which explains the munchies many people feel after consuming high-THC cannabis.3
While THC binds directly to the CB1 receptors in the ECS, invoking a wide range of intoxicating effects, including feelings of hunger, CBD acts indirectly on these receptors in different ways.4 This common response to cannabis may be why some wonder whether CBD gives you the munchies.
Does CBD Oil Make You Hungry?
Manufacturers infuse isolated CBD into many products like edibles, topicals, and capsules. One of the most popular ways to consume it is through tinctures or oils.
CBD oils have many reported medicinal benefits without some of the less desirable effects of THC. So, it's only natural to wonder if CBD oils make you hungry.
Researchers have explored this topic and found that CBD is an antagonist to the ECS receptors, including those in the gastrointestinal tract. In 2022, one review of studies reported that CBD appears to reduce food intake, making it a promising treatment for conditions related to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and a wide array of other conditions.5
A different review published in 2023 came to a similar conclusion. These researchers noted that CBD’s antagonistic effects on the CB1 and CB2 receptors improved the metabolic conditions that affected weight. Blocking the receptors induced weight loss, improved glucose levels, and reduced fibrosis in several chronic conditions.6
While these conclusions shed a positive light on CBD’s effectiveness on weight loss and conditions related to the gastrointestinal tract, it’s important to note that cannabis affects everyone differently. One review done on studies of patients with cancer-associated cachexia was inconclusive on whether cannabinoids alone can induce significant improvements in their symptoms, including those related to weight and appetite.7
If you are interested in treating weight-related conditions with cannabis, it may be best to consult with a doctor first.
Does Full-Spectrum CBD Make You Hungry?
CBD isolate is pure CBD and nothing else. These products contain zero traces of THC. Many high CBD products, including hemp-derived options, contain small traces of THC or other minor cannabinoids. These products are referred to as full-spectrum.
No research explicitly examines the effects of high-CBD, full-spectrum products on weight or hunger. That said, based on what is known about THC and CBD’s opposite effects on the receptors that regulate appetite and weight, it may be possible for high CBD full-spectrum products to make you hungry, depending on the ratio of other cannabinoids present.
Depending on your location and the cannabis regulations in place, CBD to THC ratios range from 1:1 to 30:1. In theory, the higher the concentration of CBD, the less you’ll feel the intoxicating effects of THC, like hunger.
Hemp-derived products will be labeled as an isolate, full, or broad spectrum. Isolates contain 0 traces of THC, while full or broad signal the presence of other cannabinoids and terpenes. Broad-spectrum products should not contain any detectable levels of THC, while full-spectrum ones do, even if only in federally legal trace amounts.
If you are trying to avoid the potential risk of increased hunger, look for CBD isolate or broad-spectrum products and check the label for the THC percentage.
Does CBD Help With Appetite?
While hunger is a physiological reaction that occurs due to changes in the body, appetite is a psychological desire to eat experienced in the mind. A generous amount of research examines CBD’s effect on hunger and appetite.
Most of the analysis regarding the topic cites CBD’s ability to reduce feelings of hunger, but other studies note there is no significant relationship between the two. That said, no studies suggest that CBD has the potential to make people hungry.
There are also no studies focusing on CBD’s effect on food cravings, which can be a complex relationship between other bodily functions. CBD has been shown in several studies and literature reviews to reduce appetite, food intake, and body weight.5
CBD's Impact on Weight and Metabolism
CBD has many therapeutic benefits; it may even help people needing weight loss. While THC is known for its hunger-inducing effects, CBD has been shown in studies to help reduce hunger and induce weight loss through its antagonistic effects on the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS.5
A review of studies done on phytocannabinoids and obesity found that CBD also has beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and metabolic syndrome.8
Metabolic syndrome is a term referring to a group of risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can also increase the risk of developing diabetes and strokes. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLB), one of these risk factors is an increased waist circumference, known as abdominal obesity.
Studies showcasing CBD’s ability to impact weight and related conditions positively make it a promising treatment option for medical researchers to continue exploring. From the type of product you use to the specific benefits you’re seeking, there are many factors to consider if you’re interested in cannabis for weight loss or weight-related conditions. Speak with a medical professional before using cannabis as a treatment option.
References
- Lu HC, Mackie K. An Introduction to the Endogenous Cannabinoid System. Biol Psychiatry. 2016;79(7):516-525. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.07.028
↩︎ - Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, Bryant J, Ngwa W. The Endocannabinoid System: A Potential Target for the Treatment of Various Diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22(17):9472. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179472
↩︎ - Schulz P, Hryhorowicz S, Rychter AM, et al. What Role Does the Endocannabinoid System Play in the Pathogenesis of Obesity? Nutrients. 2021;13(2):373. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020373
↩︎ - Martin-Santos R, Crippa JA, Batalla A, et al. Acute effects of a single, oral dose of d9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) administration in healthy volunteers. Current pharmaceutical design. 2012;18(32):4966-4979. doi:https://doi.org/10.2174/138161212802884780
↩︎ - Pinto JS, Martel F. Effects of Cannabidiol on Appetite and Body Weight: A Systematic Review. Clin Drug Investig. 2022;42(11):909-919. doi:10.1007/s40261-022-01205-y
↩︎ - Dörnyei G, Vass Z, Juhász CB, Nádasy GL, Hunyady L, Szekeres M. Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Metabolic Control Processes and in the Pathogenesis of Metabolic Syndrome: An Update. Biomedicines. 2023; 11(2):306.doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11020306
↩︎ - Simon L, Baldwin C, Kalea AZ, Slee A. Cannabinoid interventions for improving cachexia outcomes in cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. Published online December 8, 2021. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12861
↩︎ - Bielawiec P, Harasim-Symbor E, Chabowski A. Phytocannabinoids: Useful Drugs for the Treatment of Obesity? Special Focus on Cannabidiol. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020;11:114. Published 2020 Mar 4. doi:10.3389/fendo.2020.00114
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The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
