Below, we offer you a fascinating article written by Nicole Skrobin and published on TheFreshToast: an award-winning lifestyle and health platform specializing in cannabis content, based in Seattle, USA. To learn more about the writer, check out her LinkedIn profile.
It was published on January 20, 2020, and translated by the CBD.FR team for your convenience.
Happy reading!
Cannabis strain
While millions of adults struggle to overcome obesity, they are not alone. Nowadays, millions of children are becoming overweight and obese at much younger ages. Specifically, in 2011, more than 40 million children under the age of five were overweight. There are various traditional treatment options that help combat obesity. However, cannabis and different cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) have proven very useful in helping to treat obesity and its symptoms. What should you know about obesity and the complications it can cause?
According to the World Health Organization, obesity has nearly doubled in the last three decades. In America, childhood obesity has tripled since the 1970s and continues to rise. According to estimates from a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five children of standard school age is obese. Not only is this a dangerous diagnosis for young children, but being obese will likely cause numerous health problems before the child reaches adolescence. In general, obesity is much more than simply being overweight. Obesity means that an individual’s body fat significantly exceeds the amount of body fat considered healthy. Overweight, on the other hand, refers to someone who weighs more than the ideal weight for their age and height.Weight loss and cannabisHowever, both terms are often defined as irregular amounts of disproportionate fat accumulation that could negatively impact health and well-being. Overall, obesity presents a higher risk of developing various disabilities, experiencing a poor quality of life, and premature death.
Some health problems and negative complications that can arise due to obesity include depression, anxiety, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and an inability to participate in various physical activities. Obese individuals are also more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, various forms of arthritis, ischemic heart disease, and other cardiovascular problems.
In the United States alone, it has been found that 37% of the adult population is obese, while nearly 8% are on the verge of developing severe obesity. Therefore, it is suggested that this diagnosis be taken seriously to avoid further complications.
Having understood the global prevalence of obesity and the various complications that can arise from it, what are its causes? In most cases, the primary cause of obesity is an energy imbalance between calorie intake and calorie expenditure. Over the years, there has been an increase worldwide in the consumption of energy-dense foods containing large amounts of unhealthy fats. There has also been an increase in physical inactivity, which is mainly attributable to sedentary lifestyles. Thus, two main causes of obesity include overeating and little or no physical activity.
Other causes include genetics, medications, and various psychological factors. However, several variables can contribute to obesity, including metabolism, insufficient sleep, and the availability or lack thereof of community/neighborhood resources. Additionally, various psychological factors can lead individuals to become emotional eaters. Feelings of anger, sadness, and stress are also common triggers of binge eating, ultimately resulting in varying degrees of weight gain, especially for those who are not physically active.
Traditional and non-traditional obesity treatment options
Furthermore, as in the USA, where nearly one in three adults is considered obese and one in 13 is considered unhealthily obese, it is suggested that certain changes be made and various forms of treatment implemented. Common treatment options include:
— dietary changes and healthy eating habits,
– incorporating more exercise and physical activity,
– taking bariatric medications,
– and bariatric surgery, which is usually a last resort.
In addition to these treatment options,
cannabis and several of its valuable cannabinoids have been found to help alleviate many symptoms caused by obesity, while also helping obese individuals improve their quality of life and get back on a healthy path. One cannabinoid that is extremely beneficial for combating obesity is THCV, which has appetite-suppressant properties. THCV also acts as an antagonist of CB1 and CB2 receptors. Therefore, THCV can block THC, preventing users from experiencing increased appetite or cravings.
Additionally, CBD has been shown to help regulate appetite. Due to the vast medicinal and therapeutic properties of cannabis
, this plant can help alleviate many symptoms caused by obesity, such as anxiety, depression, joint, muscle, and back pain, issues with self-esteem and self-confidence, and binge eating.
Cannabis leaves
Photos by: Roberto Valdivia via Unsplash, 377873 via rawpixel
Research findings supporting cannabis’s ability to combat obesity Over the years, various surveys and studies have been conducted on cannabis users and non-users struggling with obesity to uncover the plant’s role in combating obesity. One survey of 786 participants found that, on average, cannabis is associated with a lower BMI (body mass index), a lower percentage of body fat, decreased fasting insulin, and reduced insulin resistance. Subsequently, several other surveys have found that the prevalence of obesity is not as high among cannabis users as among non-users.
However, a set of two nationally representative U.S. surveys found interesting results, concluding that: “…despite evidence that cannabis use stimulates appetite in clinical trials and laboratory studies, cannabis users are actually less likely to be obese than non-users in the general population.” However, diet and physical activity were not taken into account when this conclusion was reached. Regarding research studies, a 2015 study confirmed that cannabis use was linked to a lower BMI and lower body fat percentages.
Optimal cannabis strains and consumption methods to use to combat obesity Furthermore, it is essential that obese individuals consume the right cannabis strains to reap the benefits they need. In particular, cannabis strains rich in THCV, CBD, and humulene are ideal. Some examples include Doug’s Varin, Tahoe OG, Pineapple Purps, and Master Kush, which are known for containing high percentages of THCV and large amounts of humulene.
In general,
