Does Smoking Weed Really Make You Lose Weight?

Although studies point to an association between cannabis use and lower body weight, the precise relationship remains uncertain.

Even if you’ve never used cannabis, you’ve likely heard of the “munchies” — that intense urge to devour snacks after consuming marijuana.

Yet others insist that cannabis use actually curbs their appetite and even helps them shed pounds.

While cannabis use may be linked with lower body weight, the situation is more nuanced than it might appear.

Below we examine what is and isn’t known about the connection between smoking cannabis and losing weight.

Does the evidence truly connect cannabis to weight reduction?

Much of the conversation around using marijuana for weight loss stems from a 2011 review of two surveys. The researchers found that obesity rates were higher among people who reported not using cannabis compared with those who used it at least three days per week.

Just before those findings emerged, a study exploring cannabis use and obesity in adolescents drew comparable conclusions.

Most recently, a meta-analysis examining cannabis use and body mass index (BMI) reported that cannabis users had notably lower BMIs and reduced obesity prevalence, despite higher calorie consumption.

It’s crucial to recognize that these studies only suggest an association between cannabis use and lower body weight. The mechanisms behind this association aren’t clear, and there’s insufficient proof to claim that cannabis is an effective weight-loss strategy. Additionally, cannabis use carries its own risks and potential harms (discussed below).

What might explain those study observations?

Researchers have proposed several theories to account for the link between cannabis use and reduced BMI or lower obesity risk.

It may increase physical activity

When used appropriately, cannabis can ease pain and stiffness. That relief could enable people with mobility limitations to be more active.

It might reduce alcohol consumption for some

Some experts think that younger cannabis users may drink less alcohol than their non-using peers. Fewer calories from alcoholic beverages could partly explain lower BMIs among some cannabis users.

It can lower stress

Emotional eating is a common response to stress. Research indicates people are likelier to overeat and choose comfort foods when they’re stressed.

Cannabis is known to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation for some users, which might decrease stress-related overeating in certain individuals.

It may improve sleep

Poor sleep is linked to weight gain. There is some evidence that cannabis can help with insomnia, and it may reduce pain and stress — two major contributors to disturbed sleep.

It could affect metabolism

Some evidence suggests cannabis interacts with the cannabinoid receptor 1, which influences metabolism and food intake. Higher cannabis exposure appears to increase metabolic rate and reduce energy storage, potentially resulting in a lower BMI.

Cannabis use doesn’t produce instant weight loss. However, researchers think it may address certain underlying factors that contribute to weight gain for some people. Much more study is necessary to clarify the relationship between cannabis and weight.

What about the “munchies”?

The link between cannabis and lower body weight surprises some, given the long-standing association between marijuana and increased snacking.

Indeed, a recent study observed a rise in sales of “junk” foods — largely chips, cookies, and ice cream — in U.S. states that legalized cannabis.

However, correlation is not causation. An uptick in sales of these items where cannabis is legal doesn’t prove cannabis caused the change.

How can people consume more calories yet weigh less while using cannabis? Researchers are still unraveling the details, but a balance between two primary cannabinoids might offer part of the explanation.

THC, the psychoactive ingredient responsible for marijuana’s high, has been shown to stimulate appetite, which is why cannabis is sometimes used to increase food intake.

CBD, conversely, appears to offset some effects of THC, including its appetite-stimulating and mood-altering properties.

What are the downsides?

At first glance, the research could make cannabis seem like a simple route to weight loss. But there’s no solid evidence that cannabis use directly causes weight loss.

It may indirectly assist by improving conditions such as chronic pain and poor sleep, which can contribute to higher body weight.

Moreover, cannabis use is not without hazards, particularly when smoked.

The American Lung Association notes that cannabis smoke contains many of the same irritants, toxins, and carcinogens found in tobacco smoke.

Because cannabis users often inhale more deeply and hold the smoke longer, they may be exposed to more tar per breath than cigarette smokers.

Over time, smoking cannabis can harm the lungs and airways, diminishing respiratory function and increasing the likelihood of airway inflammation and chronic bronchitis.

There is also the concern of misuse and dependence. Up to 30 percent of users may experience some level of cannabis use disorder, according to a 2013 report. Young people, especially those who begin using before age 18, face heightened risk.

The takeaway

While some evidence indicates cannabis use may influence body weight, far more research is required.

And even if there are potential benefits, smoking remains harmful. Non-smoking cannabis methods might offer some advantages for certain conditions, but using cannabis specifically to lose weight is not recommended.