How cannabis helps us lose weight!
Key takeaways:
- When we pay closer attention to our bodies we naturally eat less because we acknowledge hunger and fullness and slow down, helping us to make more conscious decisions, reduce impulsivity, and convenience eating.
- CBD is known for reducing stress and anxiety, allowing us more time and space to plan ahead. Studies show this also reduces binge eating, impulsive food choices and convenience eating.
- CBD promotes relaxation which enhances our sensory experience around food.
- CBD suppresses appetite by blocking the receptors that stimulate appetite.
Mindful eating
Do you ever get the overwhelming urge to eat, a hankering for specific foods, cravings or intense hunger, seemingly out of nowhere? It feels like you’re not in control when you go to the kitchen, raid the refrigerator, or order from Grub Hub. Cannabis, specifically CBD, is known to enhance the mind-body connection, reducing this temptation by increasing our awareness of the present moment. This lowers the volume on extraneous noise in our minds and turns the volume up on our true goals and desires for health and weight loss.
A common scenario might find us away from home, driving, running errands, at work, etc, when hunger strikes. When this catches us unprepared we tend to grab something convenient and quick (hence the abundance of drive through fast food restaurants!). My coaching clients admit they succumb to convenience foods multiple times per week. Everything from the coffee and sandwich at Starbucks, to lunch from wherever someone else is ordering from, to picking up a pizza on the way home because there’s nothing for dinner. Snacks are found by grazing the kitchen, pantry, or snack drawer without any real plan of action. And why not pick up a pint of ice cream at the same time! In our fast-paced lives, we often find ourselves caught up in the hustle, prioritizing convenience and routine over thoughtful decision-making aligned with our goals.
For example: In our haste to move on to the next activity, we often resort to a quick stop at Burger King for a bite. However, a more mindful approach to eating would involve having a meal before leaving or making a pit stop at the grocery store for a healthy snack like a piece of fruit and a protein bar. We lose sight of the fact that fueling our bodies with nourishing options will keep us energized and focused throughout the day.
The mindfulness, clarity and focus provided by CBD slows us down so that we easily take a beat, turn inward and ask how that Burger King will feel and if that’s supporting our goals. We allow ourselves a minute to decide if we really need the fries, if we can add a salad to the pizza order, put back the pint of ice cream and remember there is fruit to eat at home.
When we are busy and just thinking about the next thing we have to do there’s very little space for keeping healthy food on hand, looking for an alternative or the next best thing that supports our weight goals.
Pro tip: always stash a bar, dried fruit or nuts in your bag for emergency hunger pangs!
More Satisfying Mealtimes
By incorporating CBD into mindful eating practices, we can also practice being fully present and engaged during meal times. This enables us to appreciate the sensory experience of eating: savoring each bite, paying attention to the flavors, textures and aromas of our food and ultimately creating a more enjoyable dining experience.
CBD’s role in mindful eating includes sustaining a balanced digestive process, promoting gastrointestinal efficiency, and reducing discomfort often associated with digestion.
One tool that surprises clients is paying attention to our body’s natural cues of hunger and fullness. CBD helps us tune into these sensations more effectively, supporting healthy eating patterns and overall well-being.
Noticing satiety and learning to stop eating when approximately 80% full balances our digestion and helps us eat less overall. Using CBD to support mindfulness allows us to closely monitor this as it becomes a habit leading to overall reduced intake of food. How often do we mindlessly eat in front of the TV until suddenly the bag of chips is empty? How often are we stuffed at the end of the meal? This is mindless eating.
The same is true about noticing hunger. Mindful eating shows us when we tend to eat even though we aren’t hungry. It aids us to notice how often we get hungry so that we can grab something healthy instead of convenient.
Appetite suppression
Unlike THC, which can stimulate appetite, research suggests that CBD may contribute to a more balanced and regulated appetite, supporting us in making healthier food choices and developing a more positive relationship with food.
THC activates the receptors that stimulate the hormone ghrelin, which tells our brain we need food. Aka “The Munchies”, which can be beneficial in certain circumstances. However, if weight is a concern, look to CBD which blocks this action, thereby suppressing appetite.
Concerns
For mindful eating and appetite suppression we focus primarily on CBD, however, some THC provides the same benefits. With THC, always know what you’re using. Certain terpenes, such as myrcene, stimulate appetite while others do not. If you’re concerned about THC causing the munchies, look for the terpene humulene to suppress appetite, and combine your THC with CBD or THCv to reduce the appetite stimulating effects.
One of the primary concerns is the lack of standardized dosing guidelines and regulatory oversight in the CBD industry, which can lead to inconsistencies in product quality and potency. It’s important to consider potential interactions between CBD and other nutritional supplements or medications, as well as individual variations in response to CBD. In coaching I closely monitor consumption, dosages, and work with clients to find the optimal type and dose of cannabis.
Misconceptions abound about CBD and its potential benefits within the context of holistic nutrition! As a cannabis educator one of my commitments is to inform and teach the truth to ensure safe and effective utilization.
Mindful eating made easy
Cannabis can accelerate weight loss by gently guiding us towards more balanced and intentional eating habits. As a result, the meal experience transcends the act of consumption, becoming a nourishing ritual that nourishes the body, mind, and soul. Honoring our body’s natural sensations of hunger, fullness, energy and satisfaction bring a beautiful harmony within and lead to optimal weight.
