Compare the Best CBD Oil for Weight Loss in 2022

How CBD Helps With Weight Loss

CBD has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anxiolytic (antianxiety), anticonvulsant, antiemetic (antinausea), and antipsychotic properties⁽¹⁾. Recent studies have also recognized the potential of CBD to address obesity and weight loss.

Obesity or being overweight is defined as fat accumulation that is abnormal or excessive, leading to health risks⁽²⁾. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese.

According to a World Health Organization article, there were 1.9 billion overweight adults worldwide in 2016, and 650 million of them were obese⁽³⁾.

Some common complications of increased body weight brought by obesity include heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and type 2 diabetes⁽⁴⁾.

There are several studies attributing CBD’s weight loss and appetite suppressant effects to its relationship with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). 

The ECS regulates different body processes like appetite, metabolism, and body weight regulation⁽⁵⁾. ECS plays a crucial role in storing fat for energy⁽⁶⁾. 

Cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, the main components of the ECS, are responsible for regulating the body’s metabolism, including energy use and food intake⁽⁷⁾.

CB1 receptors are prevalent in the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are mostly found among immune cells. However, recent studies showed that both receptors are also present in the brain and other tissues in the skeletal, muscular, and cardiovascular systems⁽⁸⁾.

A 2020 review conducted on the usefulness of phytocannabinoids in treating obesity considered CBD as having potential anti-obesity properties⁽⁹⁾. The study mentioned that CBD blocks the CB1 receptor and produces anti-obesity effects. 

A study by Parray and Yun on the effects of CBD in the induction of brown fat suggests CBD may have a role in the browning of white fat and promoting lipid metabolism⁽¹⁰⁾.

Adipose tissues, where fat cells are stored, have white fat that keeps energy and brown fat that oxidizes fatty acids to regulate body temperature⁽¹¹⁾.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) or brown fat converts food energy into heat, then burns excess calories once activated.

CBD may help increase mitochondria numbers in brown fat cells to enhance their capacity to strip fat⁽¹²⁾. Targeting brown fat cells is a potential key to treating obesity and promoting weight loss⁽¹³⁾.

Benefits of Using CBD for Weight Loss

Since the 1940s, scientists have researched the Cannabis sativa plant⁽¹⁴⁾ to determine its recreational and medicinal benefits, including its efficacy on obesity.

The Cannabis plant contains about 100 cannabinoids. These cannabinoids include delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabidiol (CBD)⁽¹⁵⁾. 

The following studies suggest that CBD oil promotes weight loss to help with health conditions, including obesity and diabetes.

CBD for Diabetes

Overweight or obese individuals develop some insulin resistance⁽¹⁶⁾. Weight gain in those with type 2 diabetes makes blood sugar levels harder to control⁽¹⁷⁾.

A 2016 review by the British Pharmacological Society noted that an overactive endocannabinoid system may lead to diabetes. The ECS may also influence diabetic complications, like inflammation and tissue injury⁽¹⁸⁾.

Diabetes is one of the risks associated with obesity. Diabetes may manifest with symptoms like blurry vision, extreme thirst or hunger, numb or tingling hands and feet, and slow-healing wounds⁽¹⁹⁾.

Researchers of a study conducted in 2016 analyzed the efficacy of CBD on patients with type 2 diabetes. The results showed no change in HDL-cholesterol levels or glycemic control⁽²⁰⁾.

In a 2012 review presented in The American Journal of Pathology, CBD was reported to have protective effects against diabetes and diabetic complications⁽²¹⁾.

An animal study showed that CBD lowered the occurrence of diabetes among young female mice. The study showed that eight of 25 mice, or 8%, in the CBD-treated group developed diabetes. 

In comparison, 18 of 21 mice, or 83%, were in the vehicle-treated group. All 21, or 100%, in the untreated group developed diabetes⁽²²⁾.

Mice and rats are often the subjects in animal studies on CBD efficacy. Still, the results may be relevant and useful for further experiments with human subjects.

Mice and rats have anatomical, physiological, and genetic similarities to humans⁽²³⁾.

CBD for High Blood Pressure

Cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, are the leading cause of death worldwide. These diseases are often associated with obesity⁽²⁴⁾.

A person with obesity is likely to develop hypertension. Weight loss as the first line of therapy is one solution to address this risk⁽²⁵⁾.

Studies show that CBD may help with hypertension.

Authors Jadoon, Tan, and O’Sullivan conducted a study on nine healthy male volunteers in 2017. Results published in the journal JCI Insight showed that those given 600mg of CBD had lower blood pressure and increased heart rate⁽²⁶⁾.

CBD for Heart Disease

Obesity and diabetes are also associated with heart diseases. Symptoms do not often appear until the person experiences arrhythmia, heart attack, or heart failure⁽²⁷⁾.

A 2012 review by the British Pharmacological Society suggested that CBD may benefit the cardiovascular system⁽²⁸⁾. Researchers also noted CBD’s potential to suppress cardiac arrhythmias and reduce infarct (dead tissue) size.

A 2010 experiment published in the British Journal of Pharmacology journal showed that CBD reduced ischemia-induced arrhythmias in male rats⁽²⁹⁾. Ischemia is a condition where blood flow is restricted to a part of the body⁽³⁰⁾.

In the same experiment, CBD administered before ischemia and reperfusion also reduced infarct (dead tissue) size⁽³¹⁾. 

Reperfusion is the restoration of blood flow in a previously ischemic part⁽³²⁾.

How Long Does CBD Take to Help Weight Loss?

Different ingestion methods or product types may affect the length of time when CBD starts to take effect.

Onset times for transdermal methods, like patches, lotions, or ointments, may vary depending on the amount of fatty tissue or hair growth. 

Oral methods like tinctures, capsules, or edibles may start taking effect within 30 to 60 minutes⁽³³⁾.

Inhalation through vapes may take effect within three minutes. However, note that vaping may cause damage to the lungs. Caution is advised when considering vaping as an ingestion method.

Although vaping is less harmful than smoking, vaping is still unsafe⁽³⁴⁾. As of January 2020, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) confirmed 60 deaths in patients with e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI).

Researchers in the 2017 study used a randomized, double-blind crossover method to determine the efficacy of CBD in decreasing blood pressure compared to a placebo.

One hour after the drug was ingested, there was a noticeable difference between CBD and placebo. In the CBD group, resting stroke volume decreased and heart rate increased⁽³⁵⁾.

Another study on CBD’s effectiveness in decreasing body weight gain on rats was conducted in 2011. The subjects were given doses of 2.5mg/kg and 5mg/kg per day for two weeks.

In both doses, body weight gain was observed to have significantly decreased, with the 5mg/kg dosage having a more pronounced effect⁽³⁶⁾.

CBD Dosage Guide

Factors that affect dosage include the user’s body weight, metabolism, diet, and genetics⁽³⁷⁾.

For example, if you weigh around 54kgs, you may start with a dosage of 12mg to 24mg. If you have chronic pain, you may consider taking a higher dose for more effective pain relief.

Consulting a physician or professional health worker is advised before determining how much CBD to consume. During the consultation, physicians or doctors can only recommend but not prescribe CBD dosages.

The reason for the non-prescription is that there is no universally accepted dosage for all people⁽³⁸⁾.

In a 2020 review of studies on CBD efficacy in humans, researchers noted that there was considerable variation in dosages and methods of administration⁽³⁹⁾.

A 2017 study that involved nine healthy male volunteers had the participants in the CBD group take a single 600mg dosing of CBD⁽⁴⁰⁾. Results showed that the volunteers in this group had lower blood pressure with increased heart rate.

A 2019 review looked into 35 studies involving CBD in clinical trials and case studies. The review indicated that 23 studies showing improvement in primary outcomes used doses ranging from less than 1mg/kg to 50mg/kg per day⁽⁴¹⁾.

CBD Usage Guide

• CBD oil tinctures are made by mixing CBD oil with a carrier oil, like hemp seed and coconut oil, then administered using a dropper. 

CBD oil may be combined with flavoring, corn syrup, and juice to make CBD gummies. CBD oil can also be used as an ingredient in edibles like chocolates or chews.

• CBD capsules often have medium-chain triglycerides or MCT oil added for additional volume. In softgel capsules, olive oil may be used as casing.
• Vapes use CBD and the addition of natural flavoring and other substances to make the product suited for inhalation and taste.
• CBD may also be combined with other essential oils and waxes to produce topicals.

How Long Will CBD Help With Weight Loss?

The effects of CBD after ingestion may continue for several hours depending on the ingestion method, type of CBD product, and dosage size.

For example, the effects of CBD tinctures taken sublingually may last for two to four hours after onset⁽⁴²⁾.

In the 2017 study by researchers from the University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre in the United Kingdom, test subjects ingested CBD and were observed for up to three hours. In that period, CBD reduced blood pressure and stroke volume and increased the heart rate⁽⁴³⁾.

Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD for Weight Loss

Studies on CBD’s effectiveness in treating various health conditions are still ongoing. While CBD has potential benefits and safety based on clinical trials, CBD may cause side effects like diarrhea, dryness of mouth, fatigue, drowsiness, and lack of appetite⁽⁴⁴⁾.

A World Health Organization report in 2017 mentioned that CBD has no association with any public health problems like comorbidities or driving under the influence⁽⁴⁵⁾.

In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of CBD in treating epilepsy⁽⁴⁶⁾. As of 2021, however, the FDA has not yet approved using CBD for treating obesity or weight loss.

You may need to consult with a physician or health expert for help in finding the best CBD products for health and wellness.

There is currently no universally accepted CBD dosage. Physicians can only recommend what CBD to take but not prescribe the compound.

Legality of CBD

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 removed hemp and hemp seeds from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of Controlled Substances and authorized hemp production⁽⁴⁷⁾.

The law, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill, defines hemp as a Cannabis sativa plant that contains no more than 0.3 percent concentration of Δ9-THC.

This law made hemp products like hemp oil and hemp extract legal at the federal level. Still, regulation and legalization of hemp and hemp-based products vary across states.

The Legality of Purchasing CBD for Weight Loss

Purchase of hemp-derived CBD is legal in most states. However, CBD sourced from marijuana is illegal in most states due to marijuana’s high THC content⁽⁴⁸⁾.

Consider checking the CBD product whether it was sourced from hemp or marijuana before making a product purchase. 

To avoid any legal issues concerning CBD usage, confirm the CBD laws with your local state.

How to Choose the Best CBD Oil for Weight Loss  

Before buying the best CBD oil for your needs, consider your personal preferences, lifestyle, the severity of your condition, and CBD form. 

Here are some tips to help you choose a high-quality CBD product for weight loss.

• CBD comes from the Cannabis plant but does not have the psychoactive effects as THC⁽⁴⁹⁾. CBD is usually formulated as oil. However, hemp extract can also be served as extracts, capsules, or food and drink products.
• CBD is extracted from hemp plants or marijuana, although hemp has a lower THC content than marijuana. In the U.S., Colorado is one of the states that supply grown hemp for CBD oil production⁽⁵⁰⁾.
• There are several ways to extract CBD from the Cannabis plant, and the most preferred method is CO2 extraction. This method uses CO2 at high pressures and low temperatures to remove high concentrations of CBD oil⁽⁵¹⁾.
• Other extraction methods also produce high-quality CBD but may have some risks. The hydrocarbon extraction method may add residuals like solvents. The natural solvent extraction and steam distillation may produce lower CBD amounts.
• Full-spectrum CBD oil contains other cannabinoids like cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidivarin (CBDV), or THC. Full-spectrum CBD oil also has amino acids and terpenes, which are plant compounds that contain a variety of medical benefits.
• Full-spectrum CBD oil is often more preferred by CBD users because of its “entourage effect.” Researchers believe that when more cannabinoids are present, CBD becomes more effective in engaging with the ECS⁽⁵²⁾.
• Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to full-spectrum CBD without the THC content.
• Some people may prefer THC-free CBD products. These pure CBD products, known as CBD isolates, come in a white, flavorless powder form.
• Some CBD products are extracted from organic hemp and may be taken as gluten-free and non-GMO products.
• Reputable brands usually have their products analyzed by a third-party lab to test for CBD concentrations and the presence of other ingredients.
• Third-party testing also checks the products for safety and whether the products are free of contaminants and pesticides.