Obesity today is at an all-time high. In fact, many Western countries regard it as a kind of epidemic that is spreading rapidly and causing painful, dangerous symptoms. Obese people are more likely to get type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease and other serious conditions. They are also more likely to suffer from poor body image, anxiety and depression. It’s no wonder, then, that the diet industry has experienced a boom in the last decade. But while fad diets are being unveiled one by one, tried and tested methods such as eating healthy, unprocessed foods and exercising regularly are here to stay. And today, we’re finding that natural supplements like CBD could also help by making it easier to burn fat and eat less. Here’s how it works and what it could mean for people with obesity.
What is obesity?
People are considered obese when they are overweight and have too much fat. Doctors diagnose obesity by assessing a person’s weight and height to determine their BMI (body mass index). Someone with a BMI higher than 30 is obese. However, this test is limited in its practical applications. To illustrate, an athlete with a lot of muscle mass could be considered obese by these standards. Therefore, it may be more useful to consider obesity as a condition of people who have too much weight relative to their height and who have a high percentage of body fat.
What are the different types of obesity?
Obesity simply describes being overweight. However, many people fall into the category of obesity even though they have different lifestyles and symptoms. Many obese people have a sedentary lifestyle and take in excessive amounts of calories, especially in the form of heavily processed foods. This is often called lifestyle obesity. However, other people are considered obese even though they eat healthily and get plenty of exercise. Their reason for being overweight may be a genetic condition, a hormonal problem or something else. It is often called disease-related obesity. But whether obesity is caused by lifestyle choices or other variables, it can be treated. It doesn’t have to be a lifelong condition.
Is obesity a disease?
Yes, it is now officially considered a disease. It has identifiable symptoms and tends to interfere with normal functioning. It is also a condition that can be treated with certain medical procedures or medications. However, some people disagree with this categorization. They argue that obesity should not be considered a disease because many “obese” people do not experience any negative symptoms. In addition, some people argue that considering obesity a disease encourages people to see it as something uncontrollable, rather than the result of a poor lifestyle. Thus, although obesity is considered a disease by medical authorities in most countries, many people continue to regard it as a personal trait rather than a serious condition.
What causes obesity?
There is not just one cause of obesity. The way the human body creates and maintains body fat is very complex, and the factors that cause someone to gain weight are varied. The most well-known cause of obesity is overeating. Indulging in food that has more calories than you can cause your body to create new fat cells. Over time, this leads to obesity. Not exercising is another factor because it slows down your metabolism. The less you exercise, the fewer calories your body burns. This makes it easier for you to gain weight.
Genetics also plays an important role. Some people tend to gain more weight than others with the same diet, and this often depends on your genes. Finally, conditions that affect hormones are responsible for obesity in many people. Hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome cause hormone imbalances. And because hormones are significantly involved in insulin regulation and fat storage, these conditions could make weight loss extremely difficult, even if you eat well and exercise.
Can obesity be cured?
Yes, obesity can be cured in most cases. People with an obese lifestyle can often cure their condition simply by exercising more and adopting a diet that suits them better. Something as simple as eating more whole foods and walking instead of driving can make a big difference in a person’s weight over the course of a few months.
The problem with lifestyle changes is that they can be difficult to make. People who overeat sometimes suffer from an eating disorder or may feel that food is their own way of dealing with stress. This means that although lifestyle changes can be very effective, it can be very difficult for people to stick to them in the long term. One thing that can help is going to therapy while implementing lifestyle changes. For people with genetic or hormonal conditions, lifestyle changes are not always enough. In fact, many people with these diseases already lead a healthy lifestyle. In their case, addressing the imbalances that cause weight gain is often the best solution. Finally, there are some medical tools that can help with weight loss. These can be used when other solutions don’t work or when obesity creates severe symptoms.
Prescription drugs can help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite or preventing fat absorption. However, these medications should only be used for short periods of time and under the supervision of a medical professional. Surgery is also an option to help people with severe obesity eat less by reducing the size of their stomachs. This is often a very effective option, although it can have serious side effects like any other surgery.
Can CBD help?
For people who want to do more than implement lifestyle changes and who don’t want to risk the side effects of medication or surgery, CBD could be a useful alternative. Recent research shows us that this molecule helps burn fat more efficiently and can also normalize your appetite.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a cannabinoid compound. These compounds are found both in cannabis and in our bodies and play an important role in maintaining balance in the system. Unlike the cannabinoid THC, CBD is not psychoactive. However, its effects on the body and mind are still profound. Taking CBD strengthens the endocannabinoid system, leading to a reduction in pain, inflammation, nausea, and blood pressure. It can also normalize appetite, mood, and anxiety. Today, we know that CBD is very useful in the medical field, treating various conditions such as epilepsy, IBD and high blood pressure. And, according to some recent studies, it may also be useful in treating obesity.
How to take CBD for obesity – products and doses
CBD can normalise your appetite
The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in appetite regulation. This explains why cannabinoid compounds can affect your hunger levels. For example, the way THC affects the endocannabinoid system results in a sharp increase in appetite. With CBD, the opposite effect often occurs.
In a 2012 study (link to study), researchers administered daily doses of CBD to rats and monitored their food intake. They found that over time, the rats gradually ate less and less. This suggests that CBD was affecting their appetite. However, we still lack human studies to support this observation, so that we can consider CBD as an appetite suppressant.
CBD can help your body burn fat
Whether CBD helps your appetite is still a matter of debate. But one thing that’s even more interesting is that CBD helps your body burn more fat and boosts your metabolism. In a 2016 study (link to study), researchers observed how CBD affected human fat cells. They found that CBD changed the nature of the fat cells, changing them from white fat cells to brown fat cells. White fat cells are responsible for obesity, heart disease and diabetes. The more white fat cells your body stores, the less healthy you are.
On the other hand, brown fat cells help you burn more fat. They break down fat tissue, which contributes to weight loss. By turning white fat cells into brown fat cells, CBD can help you improve your metabolism and burn more fat. Of course, you’ll get the best results if you exercise and eat well while taking CBD. In fact, CBD only speeds up the process.
CBD can help your mental health
Finally, weight loss is a deeply emotional topic for obese people. Eating less, restricting calories, and limiting certain foods can cause anxiety and a drop in mood. This is why CBD’s anti-anxiety effects could be used to complement lifestyle changes.
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In a 2019 study (link to study), a large group of patients were given daily doses of CBD over several months. They reported much lower anxiety scores at the end of the first month. This lets us know that CBD has the potential to combat anxiety and increase overall well-being.
It was also found in one study (link to study) that CBD could act as an antidepressant and promote healthy brain chemistry. This study was done on mice, but we have yet to see a long-term study on the antidepressant effects of CBD on humans. However, testimonials and anecdotal evidence let us know that CBD can be a powerful tool in lifting mood and managing emotions. As a well-rounded substance that could work on appetite, fat burning, and mental health, CBD shows great potential in fighting obesity on many fronts.
How to take CBD for obesity
If you are obese and wondering how to use CBD, this section is for you. First, let’s take a look at the different types of CBD you can find. CBD products can be divided into 3 broad categories: those you eat, those you smoke, and those you apply to your skin. For weight loss, the first two categories are the most important.
Taking CBD capsules can be a good way to get the substance into the body on a regular basis, and placing drops of CBD oil under the tongue can be even better in terms of bioavailability.
Vaping or smoking CBD could also be a good option, especially if you struggle with anxiety or an eating disorder. These products allow you to dose CBD several times a day, giving you relief from difficult feelings and emotions when you need it. Vaping CBD whenever you have cravings for certain foods you’re trying to avoid could also create a new, healthier habit. Keep in mind, however, that smoking and vaping can negatively affect your respiratory system to a lesser extent. As for dosage, we lack clinical studies on the obese to give accurate recommendations. For most long-term conditions, CBD works better in smaller amounts, but taken daily. We recommend starting with a low dose under 10 mg and gradually increasing.
Conclusion
Among the many benefits of CBD, we have found that it can help fight obesity. Not only does it regulate your appetite, but it also affects the functioning of your fat cells and your mood in a way that can help you lose weight. So if you’re looking for an effective alternative to medical weight loss strategies like surgery and medication, it may be a good option.
