Does cannabis make you skinny? What the Science Says About This

The idea that marijuana helps you lose weight has become so popular that there are numerous videos, books, articles, and social media posts about this. However, the scientific evidence supporting this claim is limited and sometimes confusing.

A 2018 meta-analysis of the literature published on marijuana use and body weight found that individuals who smoked marijuana regularly were significantly more likely to have a lower BMI (body mass index), and lower rates of obesity, compared to those who did not use marijuana. However, most studies examining the relationship between marijuana use and body weight also reported that marijuana smokers ate more calories than non-users.

Can Smoking Weed Make You Skinny? Possible Mechanisms

One of the primary mechanisms through which marijuana may affect body weight is through alterations in hormonal signals that regulate appetite and energy balance. Experiments conducted in humans have demonstrated that administration of marijuana leads to increases in ghrelin and leptin levels (both of which stimulate appetite and energy balance) and decreases in PYY levels (which suppresses appetite). These results indicate that marijuana consumption can increase the likelihood of consuming additional calories, particularly carbohydrates, and may also contribute to weight gain over time.

Another potential mechanism for marijuana-related changes in body weight includes alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance.

Lifestyle: who actually uses cannabis?

Another big piece of the puzzle is lifestyle and demographics. One study noted that:

• there was a link between current cannabis use and lower BMI
• but there was no link between BMI and lifetime cannabis use or stopping cannabis

So part of the reason some cannabis users are thinner may simply be that they live differently overall, not that weed itself is a weight-loss tool.

How Marijuana Affects Your Appetite

Although the majority of the scientific evidence available today indicates that marijuana does not reliably promote weight loss, there is evidence to suggest that marijuana affects various physiological systems in the body, including those related to appetite, metabolism, and lifestyle.

Therefore, the question remains, can smoking weed make you skinny? The honest answer is no.

Practical Tips for Reducing Overeating When Using Marijuana

However, if you’re concerned with preventing excessive calorie intake due to the constant urge to consume large amounts of food (i.e., “munchies”) when under the influence of marijuana, there are several practical strategies you can employ:

• Pre-eat a meal before using marijuana.
  Eating a small, balanced meal with protein and fiber (e.g., chicken and vegetables, yogurt with oats, eggs on whole grain bread) can slow down digestion and provide a feeling of fullness.
• Plan your snacks in advance.
  Before you begin to consume marijuana, remove tempting snacks from your immediate environment, and place healthier options in front of yourself (e.g., fruits, vegetables, nuts, yogurt).
• Limit your combination of marijuana and alcohol, especially if you are trying to manage your weight.
  Alcohol contributes to caloric intake and impairs your ability to exercise self-control around food, which typically leads to poor dietary choices and excessive calorie consumption.

Choosing the Right Product and Dose for You

Consider researching various strains and formats of marijuana and evaluating how each feels to you.

At Canna City, we offer a wide selection of cannabis products across multiple categories, including flower, concentrates, topicals, edibles, and vapes. Browse our online store and compare products based on effects, quality, and your preferences, and find the right fit for your needs.