Many people mistakenly think that since THC makes you hungry, CBD will make you hungry, too. This is not even remotely true.
TLDR: CBD cannot, and will not, make you hungry or give you the munchies. Many people mistake this with THC, even though CBD and THC are different.
Using CBD products, like CBD oil, will not make you hungry – directly. Sure, if the CBD helps cure your nausea, it will allow you to eat more, but it can’t cause you to just become hungry and have the munchies.
What Is CBD Oil?
Before we discuss why, exactly, CBD can’t make you hungry, let’s briefly talk about what CBD is.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many cannabinoids that is naturally found in cannabis plants. Remember, both hemp and marijuana fall under the cannabis plant species.
CBD is one of the more prominent cannabinoids, constituting up to 40% of the plant’s extract (depending on the strain). This is where CBD takes a departure from Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the compound that causes psychoactive traits.
Not admitting to anything, but smoking marijuana is associated with giving people the munchies. Weed or marijuana (THC) based products are known to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system that controls our appetite.
We’ll get more into the endocannabinoid system later on, because it’s an important system in our bodies that can interact with cannabinoids, like THC and CBD.
Science states that THC is believed to increase a hormone that makes you feel hungry, even when you are not. This raises the question, does CBD make you hungry?
Well, the answer is surprisingly no, and its’ a little complicated.
Does CBD Make You Hungry
CBD does not directly make you hungry, but it can increase your appetite a little. Forbes magazine published an article noting that CBD oil can improve your appetite by decreasing things, like nausea, that could otherwise alter a healthy appetite.
CBD is noted for its improved health benefits.
For example, CBD has many medical benefits. It lessens nausea symptoms, helps reduce anxiety, and improves your digestive system.
Think about it.
Do you feel like eating when you are experiencing any of these symptoms? No, therefore, after taking CBD products, like CBD oil, it might help your appetite to return. But does this prove that CBD makes you hungry?
Not really.
Children and adults who require medication for certain illnesses (cancer, depression, epilepsy, etc….), or individuals who must undergo chemotherapy are prescribed CBD oil with a good amount of THC in them – approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These illnesses can make you lose weight.
In many of these illnesses, appetites become waned, and people begin to lose weight, quickly.
When prescribed higher doses of THC in CBD oil, it has been proven to increase appetites, to encourage weight gain to counter balance the weight loss.
CBD and THC Hunger Differences
The National Institute of Health study on hunger differences between CBD and THC has found that THC raised insulin levels, like ghrelin, that increases your appetite, thus making you feel hungry. In other words, increased hunger is one of the more common expressed side effects of THC.
Additional studies did not find the same reaction when individuals use CBD oil.
This implies that CBD does not make you hungry. Don’t be concerned that using CBD could make you unreasonably hungry and gain weight.
Take comfort in knowing that clinical trials involving many CBD users revealed that you can successfully enjoy using this cannabinoid without the need to suddenly buy larger sized clothing or experiencing the urge to go to the fridge late at night.
Interesting fact: CBD is completely non-intoxicating, unlike THC. It cannot make you high, as long as it comes from the hemp plant.
CB1 and CB2 Receptors
Remember the endocannabinoid system mention from earlier? Well, let’s move on to that topic now.
The endocannabinoid system is a recently discovered system that all mammals have. The cool thing about it is, it processes cannabinoids (like CBD) in order to achieve certain health benefits for the body.
Natural cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body are vital in helping the human body function properly. They regulate brain activities like pain, sleep, emotions, appetite and more. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system
CB1 and CB2 receptors are vital in how the brain emits hormones that affect the body’s immune system to combat illnesses. Using CBD are just one of the many ways that helps the whole body whether medically prescribed or used over the counter.
The CB1 receptors are a part of the nervous system. When cannabinoids are introduced into the body, this quickly activates the endocannabinoid system.
CB2 receptors are proteins that are an active part of the body’s immune system. Using CBD could trigger even more receptors we have, but haven’t discovered yet.
THC and CBD are quite different in their hemp plant makeup. CBD and its interaction to CB1 receptors is quite different from how THC does. Unlike THC, CBD does not give you a high nor does it give you the munchies.
Cannabinoids imitates endocannabinoids. Many cannabinoid compounds do bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors. However, the scientific makeup of CBD does not allow it bind directly to CB receptors, contradictory to THC.
This is important because it’s the binding of THC to CB1 receptors that has been found to stimulate you to feel hungry.
Specifically, it creates a craving for fatty foods like hamburgers, fried foods, or salty snacks. The fat cells within the human body releases leptin. This action signals the brain’s hypothalamus center to shut-off hunger by releasing ghrelin.
Because CBD does not bind directly to CB1 receptors, it will not cause this same hunger response. Even full spectrum CBD, which by law will have 0.3% or less THC, will not trigger a hunger reaction.
New Phase Blends CBD Products
Currently, the only legal CBD product approved by the Food and Drug Administration in a prescription form is epidiolex. That said, you can buy, legally, CBD online.
New Phase Blends (NPB), from its online CBD store, provides a full range of CBD. With between 0.00% to 0.3% of THC, all quality NPB products are tested and certified.
They are also all federally legal within the United States.
With broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD, these products are some of the most effective CBD items on the marketplace.
NPB offers organic and premium compounds that do not contain mind altering effects. Rather, the products are beneficial to the human body. They offer relief in many different forms.
You can choose from vegan soft gels, CBD oils, creams, balms, and gummies, to help alleviate pain. They enable you to sleep better, boost your energy, and enhance your overall focus.
It’s important to understand that, regardless of how you take your hemp products, (i.e., topicals, edibles, or creams/balms) their main purpose is to provide you with the right dose of CBD that will interact with the body’s receptors to provide the right amount of relief that you need.
With free shipping and a money back guarantee, what do you have to lose?
Key Takeaways | CBD and Hunger
Researchers and professionals in the medical field unequivocally state that CBD does not make you hungry, based on clinical trials and extensive studies.
Scientifically, CBD doesn’t directly give you an increase in hunger. Sure if it helps your stomach feel better, you might then eat more, but it won’t give you the munchies.
If there is a connection between getting hungry from CBD it is not accurate. This CBD concept must be based on misconceptions than what science has proven.
In summary, you will not need to lock up all the snacks the next time you order CBD items. Instead, embrace them to lessen chronic pain, receive more energy, and enjoy many other beneficial connections.
