Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by surplus body fat. BMI is typically used as an indicator to diagnose this condition, which can have a variety of health impacts.
Obesity is prevalent in the US, with 41.9% of adults experiencing this condition at some point in their lifetime. There are various degrees of obesity, and it is important to know the health effects of various stages.
Some people are obese from childhood, while others experience obesity later in life. Many people can avoid obesity, but some medical conditions and medications may make weight gain almost unavoidable.
What Causes Obesity?
Various factors can lead to obesity, and in many cases, these causes combine to result in weight gain. Understanding the factors that can put someone at risk for obesity is important so you can watch for the signs and make informed decisions about your lifestyle.
Some causes of obesity include:
- Genetics
- Unhealthy eating
- Improper sleep
- Lack of exercise
- Certain medications
In addition to the above potential causes, there are social determinants of health: the conditions in which we live, work, and play. Individuals in a particular socioeconomic class may be at higher risk due to a lack of access to neighborhood gyms, parks, healthy food stores, and education about healthy eating habits.
If you know you’re at a higher risk for obesity, consider speaking with a medical professional about some prevention strategies. Regulating weight often requires eating healthy, exercising, and taking care of your general well-being. Speaking with a doctor is a great way to get peace of mind and ensure you have a plan that suits your needs.
Obesity Signs & Symptoms
If you are experiencing obesity, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- A BMI of 30.0 or higher
- A waist circumference of over 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women
It’s important to note that weight can be highly individual. An unhealthy weight for someone else can be manageable for others, depending on factors such as height and muscle mass.
Can Cannabis Can Help Reduce Instances of Obesity?
There is still much more that needs to be learned regarding how cannabis and obesity may be correlated. There are a variety of options for those dealing with obesity, but can smoking weed affect your weight?
A high-stress lifestyle may contribute to weight gain. Reducing stress over time can be an important factor in losing weight, and cannabinoids like CBD may be a great way to relieve stress and feel more relaxed.1
Sleep may be another critical factor in reducing weight gain, as poor-quality sleep has been linked to overeating. Many users have reported cannabis to help induce sleep, and there is research that indicates cannabinoids like THC may play a role in the sleep cycle.2
While there are some ways that cannabis can be helpful for obesity, some people find that cannabis usage may lead to increased weight gain.
Increases in the hunger hormone ghrelin may contribute to what is more commonly known as “the munchies.”3 This hormonal response from using THC may make food more tempting while you’re under the influence, which may lead to weight gain under certain circumstances. CBD, on the other hand, has been demonstrated in research to reduce appetite, which may help individuals who have urges to overeat.4 While this isn’t the case for everybody, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re considering cannabis for weight loss.
While there is no doubt that many cannabis strains contribute to the munchies, there is little data that suggests cannabis use is a risk for obesity. In fact, there is research that indicates cannabis use may reduce energy storage and increase an individual's metabolic rate through its ability to reduce the effects of omega-3 & 6 fatty acids, which are elevated in Western diets.5
If you’re looking to lose weight reliably, changing your lifestyle factors will be more beneficial than smoking cannabis. Eating healthy and getting regular exercise are both great ways to take care of your body and ensure that you lose weight in a healthy way.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers obesity to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes obesity or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in over half the United States. We’ve connected over 2,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Obesity
Does weed speed up metabolism?
Some research has found that cannabis can help increase metabolic rate.5
Does smoking weed help you lose weight?
Everybody has a different response to cannabis. Cannabis has been shown to increase metabolism in users. This increase could correlate to a decreased BMI, but more research is needed to determine the efficacy of using cannabis for obesity.5
Can topical products help me lose weight?
Topical cannabis products will not have an effect on weight.
Is it safe to exercise and then use cannabis afterward?
If you have any specific health concerns, it may be best to speak with your doctor about your exercise routine and how to use cannabis safely.
Resources
- Henson JD, Vitetta L, Quezada M, Hall S. Enhancing Endocannabinoid Control of Stress with Cannabidiol. J Clin Med. 2021;10(24):5852. Published 2021 Dec 14. doi:10.3390/jcm10245852
- Edwards D, Filbey FM. Are Sweet Dreams Made of These? Understanding the Relationship Between Sleep and Cannabis Use. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2021;6(6):462-473. doi:10.1089/can.2020.0174
- Farokhnia M, McDiarmid GR, Newmeyer MN, et al. Effects of oral, smoked, and vaporized cannabis on endocrine pathways related to appetite and metabolism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, human laboratory study. Translational Psychiatry. 2020;10(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-020-0756-3
- 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
- Clark TM, Jones JM, Hall AG, Tabner SA, Kmiec RL. Theoretical Explanation for Reduced Body Mass Index and Obesity Rates in Cannabis Users. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 2018;3(1):259-271. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2018.0045
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.
