Many consumers and those who are contemplating using CBD wonder if it has any effect on appetite. Of course our bodies must naturally consume a certain amount of calories to be healthy, but it’s the extra calories when we aren’t actually hungry which could be concerning. No one wants unnecessary weight gain, and it’s worth researching whether or not this is a potential side effect of CBD consumption.
CBD vs THC
There’s a difference between certain plants within the Cannabis family. The hemp plant and the Marijuana plant are both Cannabis plants, but these cousins share one large difference- THC. THC is a chemical within the Marijuana plant that alters your thinking. It has psychoactive properties that make you feel high or inebriated. The hemp plant, on the other hand, is any Cannabis plant that has less than 0.3% THC; therefore, CBD, which is derived from the hemp plant, does not affect brain functioning in regard to cognition and perception.
It is THC and not CBD which causes increased appetite.
How it works
The part of our brains that control hunger is the hypothalamus. There are neurons located in the hypothalamus there which send signals that notify your body that it’s hungry or full. Our bodies contain cannabinoid receptors that receive and bind to cannabinoids such as CBD and THC; THC binds directly to the first cannabinoid receptor (CB1) and it essentially overrides the proper functioning of this part of your brain. As a result, it doesn’t signal when you’re no longer hungry. This is how THC increases a person’s appetite, by making you unaware of satiation.
CBD and Appetite
One interesting fact is that CBD doesn’t actually bind to the CB1 receptor in your brain. This is very important because the stimulation of this receptor is what dictates whether or not you’re aware of your hunger. Since CBD doesn’t directly attach to it, you’re in clear, as it will have little to no effect on an increased appetite. Beware that there is a lot of false information about CBD floating around, so it is invading important to do your research so that you can understand how CBD affects your body and your mind. There are a plethora of health benefits associated with CBD and u wanted weight gain isn’t a factor that should affect your decision to use CBD as it will not superficially boost your appetite.