Given the increasing rate of obesity in most parts of the world, especially in the USA, scientists have pointed medical marijuana as a potential safer alternative treatment of obesity. Moreover, several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating obesity.
Obesity is a complex disorder that involves an excessive amount of body fat. This condition often results in both cosmetic and health concerns. Obesity increases the risk factors of certain diseases like heart problems, Type II diabetes, stroke, gallbladder disease, breathing disorders, metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, osteoarthritis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and high blood pressure.
Aside health problems, obesity could also lead to other psychological and social problems like depression, social isolation, shame and guilt, disability and even lower achievement at work. When an individual is extremely obese, it implies he or she is likely to have health problems that are related to weight.
Even moderate weight loss could help in preventing problems that are associated with obesity. Obesity is usually diagnosed when the Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or higher and occurs when an individual consumes more calories than he burns through exercise and normal daily activities. Even though there are genetical, behavioral as well as hormonal influences on body weight, obesity is principally caused by either inactivity or unhealthy diet and eating habits.
Of course, there are also a number of contributing factors for obesity and such factors include age, family lifestyle, medical problems, certain medications, pregnancy as well as social and economic issues etc. Nevertheless, having some of these risk factors doesn’t translate to the fact that an individual is destined to be obese since it’s possible to counteract most risk factors through diet, physical activity/exercise and equally through behavioral changes.
Obesity is treatable and the goal of the treatment is to reach a healthy weight level. As a matter fact, there are many treatment options but the right method for an individual depends on the level of obesity. The treatment tools, however include prescription weight loss medication, weight loss surgery, dietary and behavioral changes as well as exercise and activity.
In 2015 a study that was published in the journal known as Obesity presented evidence that the consumption of medical cannabis could result in lower rates of obesity. The researchers of this study used data that was gathered in 2004 from 786 Inuit adults. The authors found out that cannabis use was associated with a lower body mass index (BMI), a lower percentage of fat mass, a lower homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance as well as a lower amount of insulin in the blood. This study clearly supports the claims that the consumption of medical marijuana helps in preventing excessive fat and obesity.
Another study that was published in PLOs One in 2015 also goes a long way to buttress the claims that medical cannabis is effective in preventing obesity. This study was conducted on mice and the mice were administered daily doses of THC for four weeks, while measuring its effects on on weight, mass, physical activity, and other variables.
The authors, however, found out that THC reduced weight gain, fat mass gain and energy intake, even though it didn’t impact the level of activeness of the mice. The authors of this study therefore concluded that THC successfully prevented high fat diet-induced increases in body weight.
According to another study that was published in the Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics, women who smoke daily had an average 3.1% lower BMI reading than non-users. The researchers made this finding in a sample of over 13000 people. Detailed findings from this study also revealed that men who consumed medical cannabis had a 2.7% lower body mass index reading.
Nonetheless, when it comes to obesity, it is evident that consuming cannabis alone can’t substitute a healthy lifestyle, but can only help an individual move towards the right direction. Thus, as much as more scientific evidence is needed to concretely conclude that medical cannabis is a safe alternative treatment of obesity, researchers have advised patients to also try to develop healthy living habits.
Marijuana strains reported to help with Obesity:
- Durban Poison
- Blue Dream
- Northern Lights
- Grapefruits
- Cherry Pie
How To Get Medical Marijuana
To get started, simply fill out the MMJ patient registration form, press submit and a physician or clinic representative will contact you as available.
