We all need ways to kick back and take our minds off the pressures of the day. Unfortunately, “Beer Belly” and the “Munchies” are commonly known and accepted side effects of using alcohol and cannabis, respectively. Cannabis vs. Alcohol: A lifestyle of drinking alcohol as a way to relax and socialize often results in weight gain, especially around the midsection. But is cannabis a better choice? Afterall, the “stoner” stereotype leads us to believe everyone using cannabis will also succumb to a bag of Doritos, causing weight gain.
As with everything, there is some truth behind these, but also many misconceptions. In this article we are going to look at the nuances of both so you can see that using cannabis has advantages over alcohol for weight management.
CALORIES
First let’s look at calories. Calories are the measure of energy in a given substance. Our body needs a certain amount of energy each day and any calories in excess of that amount gets stored for potential later use, or, as fat.
Generally, alcohol is loaded with calories. A beer can range from 50 to 150 calories, a glass of wine is about 120 to 165 calories, and the average cocktail is 150 to 300 calories. In addition to calories, how your body processes alcohol contributes to weight gain.
Your body sees alcohol as a poison- a substance it does not recognize. Therefore it does not know how to process it. In fact, it will spend its resources trying to rid the body of the alcohol. While this is happening, there aren’t many resources left to do their job of metabolizing food. This means that any food eaten while drinking alcohol is less likely to be metabolized properly.
On the other hand, cannabis contains cannabinoids which our body also produces naturally, so when we utlize any type of cannabis, we are simply adding to our already existing endocannabinoid system (the cannabinoids within us).
Cannabis itself doesn’t contain any calories but the products you choose to consume, like edibles or beverages, may. However, cannabis edibles tend to be small and low calorie, such as a gummy. It should be noted as well that you’re not consuming an entire package of these gummies- you’re having one maybe two making those calories negligible.
Most of the newer infused beverages are low calorie as well, making them a healthy option.
Be more careful with homemade edibles and drinks, as calories may vary. But in general, you’re not consuming large quantities of “special brownies” due to the psychoactive component, you’re having a small amount.
WEIGHT GAIN
It’s easy to see how alcohol can cause weight gain with hundreds of calories in each drink, the quantity of beverages consumed, and the fact that your body won’t metabolize food as well while drinking all lead directly to weight gain.
Cannabis, on the other hand, doesn’t have any of these factors. The challenge is choosing the right kind of cannabis that won’t increase your appetite! Some terpenes and strains of THC stimulate appetite, while other terpenes, strains and components do not, like CBD. If your appetite is stimulated, it could cause you to consume more calories than normal, causing weight gain.
Research is limited in this area but one recent study indicates that greater cannabis use over time is associated with a lower BMI.
CRAVINGS
Eating behavior, and therefore our weight management, can be largely driven by cravings and appetite- in other words, our desire for food.
When it comes to cannabis, CBD interacts with the body differently than THC, even though they come from the same plant. To explain, we must first look at how THC stimulates appetite.
THC binds to our CB1 receptors in the brain, activating pathways that enhance the sensation of hunger. The CB1 receptors also stimulate the release of dopamine which makes eating more pleasurable and heightens the taste, aroma and flavors of food, making them more appealing.
CBD, however, does not bind to our CB1 receptors, rather it acts as an antagonist at these receptors, diminishing the appetite stimulating effect of THC. (this is why it’s important to use a combination of CBD and THC to avoid the munchies).
CBD interacts with our hormones such as leptin and ghrelin (hunger and fullness hormones) to modulate and keep them in balance. Additionally, CBD helps us be more conscious of our physical sensations of hunger, fullness, satisfaction and energy, which leads to more realistic eating decisions and fewer impulsive ones.
On top of that, CBD regulates stress and anxiety which reduces any cravings or eating triggered by these.
Alcohol, on the other hand, causes cravings the same way some types of THC do- by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine which is associated with pleasure and reward making the brain desire more of the substances (food, alcohol) that are pleasurable.
SOCIAL NORMS
After over 15 years as a trainer I can tell you two things everyone eventually agrees on:
- Alcohol makes us feel like crap through poor sleep, unhealthy snacking, dehydration, headaches, or hangovers.
- When people cut back or give up alcohol (*for more than 1 week) they (100% of the time) lose weight.
So knowing all of this information, why would anyone continue to drink alcohol?
Habit, social norms, and taste!
Alcohol has long been widely accepted … cannabis not as much. Only in the last few years – since cannabis became legal in certain states- and the 2018 Farm Bill created opportunities for more hemp derived products.
Even as adults, there’s a sense of peer pressure. As someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, friends and family often act as if there aren’t any options, that I’m being “uptight” or “no fun”. It often feels like I’m not part of a “club” of those who like to over consume and then complain about the effects the next day.
There will always be pleasure derived from enjoying a fine wine, a craft beer, and other specialty alcoholic beverages and if the taste gives you pleasure without any negative effects, please continue to enjoy.
Choosing to drink alcohol or to partake in other forms of relaxation is a personal choice and no one should feel as if they don’t have the option. This is why cannabis infused beverages and non alcoholic social tonics are such a great option!
TIMELINE OF BENEFITS OF GIVING UP ALCOHOL
- After 72 hours the amount of ethanol in your body decreases, causing your energy level to increase.
- After 1 week, you’ll notice it’s easier to fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed, improving your sleep quality.
- After 10 days, having consumed fewer calories will result in looser fitting clothes.
- After 14 days, your body is producing less cortisol causing you to feel less stressed.
- After 1 month, weight loss occurs. Additionally, blood pressure is lowered and you’re starting to notice more clarity and emotional stability as your body is able to rebalance neurotransmitters involved with mood and cognitive function.
- After 1 year, your liver has repaired and regenerated, greatly reducing your risk of liver disease.
WHAT’S NEXT
The significant differences between alcohol and cannabis concerning their effects on weight management are clear. Thankfully we now have more options than ever with the proliferation of hemp derived beverages available to legally ship around the country. If you’re health conscious or weight conscious, you can make an informed choice about your consumption habits, potentially leading to improved health outcomes and simplifying weight management
If you’re interested in more personalized information or want to explore this topic further, feel free to reach out to me directly at Beth@Cannafitnessnutrition.com.
You can discover more about my comprehensive 12 week program, CannaFit, which helps you integrate cannabis as a tool into your fitness and nutrition to overcome obstacles such as stress or emotional eating at www.cannafitnessnutrition.com.
