Fad diets, miracle techniques, celebrity diets, you name it when it comes to weight loss, especially as summer approaches. For some seasons now,CBD oil has been attracting attention as a slimming ally. So, CBD oil and weight loss: fact or fiction?
How can CBD oil affect your well-being?
Before becoming a dietary supplement looked to for its slimming effects, CBD oil was initially known for promoting well-being and relaxation in the user.
In fact, CBD oil interacts directly with our endocannabinoid system (ECS). What is it? The ECS is a complex system discovered relatively recently, some 30 years ago. We don't have enough experience to fully understand how it works, but we do know that our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids.
Consumption of CBD oil therefore directly stimulates our body's endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2 in particular), which themselves, among other things, have a direct effect on the regulation of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for well-being.
Is CBD oil an appetite suppressant?
When we think of cannabis, we tend to think of the increased sensation of hunger that THC causes. To be legal in the UK, CBD oil must contain less than 0.3% THC. Remember that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the euphoric molecule in cannabis that gives you that "stoned" feeling.
We're also beginning to see that CBD may have a positive effect on hunger, particularly in the case of cravings caused by stress, anxiety or emotional snacking. By promoting well-being and helping relaxation, cannabidiol therefore helps with hunger and overeating in an indirect way.
Can CBD oil eliminate cellulite?
Cellulite is a bit of a nightmare for women (and men too!), especially when the warm weather rolls around and beach time arrives. Although it's a perfectly normal condition that affects the vast majority of women, it has been criminalized by today's society.
CBD seems to be a molecule that is attracting increasing interest to combat this skin problem. Using CBD oil is said to help reduce inflammation and ease the pain of certain types of cellulite, as well as helping to burn subcutaneous fat and improve skin quality. Local application to the affected areas is recommended on a daily basis. CBD oil can also be taken orally or sublingually.
Scientific studies on CBD for weight loss
Researchers have been interested in CBD for slimming for about a decade. We still lack the hindsight to ensure the slimming effects of CBD oil, but in 2012 a study carried out on rats proved that CBD is an appetite suppressant thanks to its action on the hypothalamus.
In 2013, the influence of CBD was tested on insulin levels. In overweight subjects, this hormone tends to increase abnormally, blocking the fat-burning process and slowing down weight loss. According to a 2013 study, cannabidiol helps regulate insulin and glucose levels in the body.
More recently, in 2016, another study demonstrated that cannabidiol could transform bad fats (white fats) into good fats (brown fats), helping the body to burn more calories.
CBD oil and weight loss: what do you think?
CBD oil and weight loss seem to be two very promising complementary concepts. Few scientific studies have been carried out to date, but we are beginning to see positive results in the use of CBD as a slimming ally. The molecule helps relaxation and fights emotional cravings, and is also said to have an appetite-suppressant effect, helping to combat cellulite. So, are you ready to give it a try?
