Randle Cyclist
Member
There are a few threads here covering the progesterogenic effect of cannabis as well as its ability to increase pregnenolone. However, there is little discussion about its effect on the metabolism in general. The research that I've found is conflicting. Keep in mind that I'm primarily referring to psychoactive cannabis aka marijuana and not hemp or high CBD cannabis, though I think CBD deserves to be addressed as well given its rising popularity.
I'm sure most have seen the studies that show that cannabis users typically have a lower bmi than nonusers despite consuming on average more than 500 more calories than nonusers. If not, this meta analysis covers the findings:
Theoretical Explanation for Reduced Body Mass Index and Obesity Rates in Cannabis Users
What I find concerning is that rodent studies indicate that THC causes a drop in body temperature:
Cannabidiol fails to reverse hypothermia or locomotor suppression induced by Ù9-tetrahydrocannabinol in Sprague-Dawley rats
I noticed this myself last winter when I used cannabis for a week to help me sleep while I recovered from a poison ivy rash. It reliably dropped my body temperature over 1 degree Fahrenheit every time. Wouldn't this drop in body temperature imply a decrease in the metabolic rate?
Also, I've seen conflicting evidence regarding the lipogenic effects of cannabis. This study indicates that adipogenesis is decreased by thc: Biological effects of THC and a lipophilic cannabis extract on normal and insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes - PubMed
While this study suggests that it increases lipogenesis while decreasing brown fat activity: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2016.0014
Lastly, it appears that chronic cannabis use shifts lipid storage away from subcutaneous fat to visceral fat. In fact, chronic use evidently promotes insulin resistance in subcutaneous adipose tissue:
Metabolic Effects of Chronic Cannabis Smoking
Wouldn't insulin resistance in subq fat tissue be a good thing? Visceral fat is often said to be terrible for your health but at least it's easy to burn off. Subcutaneous fat stores can be notoriously stubborn to lose.
My guess is that in the short term, THC activates the Cb1 receptor and triggers fat storage with a subsequent drop in metabolism. Then, after prolonged use, the Cb1 receptor becomes desensitised which abolishes the negative metabolic effects of THC. Perhaps chronic use even causes a boost in the metabolic rate.
I've read conflicting reports of people beginning to use cannabis and its effect on their weight. Same goes for the stories of those who have quit after years of use/abuse. Some people lose weight fast while others gain rapidly.
I'm also wondering if we can extrapolate these findings to CBD. Since CBD is an antagonist to the Cb1 receptor, short term use causes an increase in the metabolic rate and rise in temperature. Is it possible with continuous use that CBD could cause a proliferation of Cb1 receptors which would then prime the body for fat storage upon cessation?
Does anyone have any further insight on the subject, anecdotal or otherwise?
I'm sure most have seen the studies that show that cannabis users typically have a lower bmi than nonusers despite consuming on average more than 500 more calories than nonusers. If not, this meta analysis covers the findings:
Theoretical Explanation for Reduced Body Mass Index and Obesity Rates in Cannabis Users
What I find concerning is that rodent studies indicate that THC causes a drop in body temperature:
Cannabidiol fails to reverse hypothermia or locomotor suppression induced by Ù9-tetrahydrocannabinol in Sprague-Dawley rats
I noticed this myself last winter when I used cannabis for a week to help me sleep while I recovered from a poison ivy rash. It reliably dropped my body temperature over 1 degree Fahrenheit every time. Wouldn't this drop in body temperature imply a decrease in the metabolic rate?
Also, I've seen conflicting evidence regarding the lipogenic effects of cannabis. This study indicates that adipogenesis is decreased by thc: Biological effects of THC and a lipophilic cannabis extract on normal and insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes - PubMed
While this study suggests that it increases lipogenesis while decreasing brown fat activity: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2016.0014
Lastly, it appears that chronic cannabis use shifts lipid storage away from subcutaneous fat to visceral fat. In fact, chronic use evidently promotes insulin resistance in subcutaneous adipose tissue:
Metabolic Effects of Chronic Cannabis Smoking
Wouldn't insulin resistance in subq fat tissue be a good thing? Visceral fat is often said to be terrible for your health but at least it's easy to burn off. Subcutaneous fat stores can be notoriously stubborn to lose.
My guess is that in the short term, THC activates the Cb1 receptor and triggers fat storage with a subsequent drop in metabolism. Then, after prolonged use, the Cb1 receptor becomes desensitised which abolishes the negative metabolic effects of THC. Perhaps chronic use even causes a boost in the metabolic rate.
I've read conflicting reports of people beginning to use cannabis and its effect on their weight. Same goes for the stories of those who have quit after years of use/abuse. Some people lose weight fast while others gain rapidly.
I'm also wondering if we can extrapolate these findings to CBD. Since CBD is an antagonist to the Cb1 receptor, short term use causes an increase in the metabolic rate and rise in temperature. Is it possible with continuous use that CBD could cause a proliferation of Cb1 receptors which would then prime the body for fat storage upon cessation?
Does anyone have any further insight on the subject, anecdotal or otherwise?