Marijuana and Dieting is like Oil and Water
In 2006, 25 million Americans over the age of 12 abused marijuana according to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse). With so many adults included in that group, it wasn’t much of a surprise when I received an email from a loyal reader inquiring about a marijuana based diet.
“Smoking marijuana makes you hungry so it must boost the metabolism right? If you can fight through the hunger by drinking more fluids you can lose a ton of weight.”
After discussing this topic with a few of my fitness buddies, the obvious answer to me (which was to avoid it) was not shared by everyone so I decided to do a little research and write a post on the topic.
Regarding marijuana’s ability to boost the metabolism, there is no clinical research to support this theory. However, scientists in Italy have devoted time to studying the mechanism that makes cannabis users hungry. The sensations of hunger are attributed to endocannabinoids which are responsible for activating the receptors in the brain that increases the appetite. The study also hypothesized that leptin, a hormone that tells the brain that the body needs to lose weight, is influenced by the presence of endocannabinoids. Maybe this is why some lose appetite when smoking marijuana. Although researchers have been able to identify the hormone to control for weight loss (leptin) it is unlikely that a cannabinoids based drug can be developed for weight loss because cannabinoids are also involved with pain sensation, mood, and memory.
So based on what I know, here is my verdict regarding marijuana and dieting. They don’t mix. People have a hard enough time controlling cravings between meals and staying faithful to their diet plan. It seems very counter productive to be on a diet and take something that will torture ones will power. Not to mention the guilt from binge eating that seeps in after the buzz wears off.
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Photo Credit: splifr
Written by Ernesto MartinezRelated posts:
10 Comments
I smoke pot occasionally and admit that I lose self control sometimes and overindulge in foods that I shouldn’t eat while under the influence but… I do not see any reason to stop. I enjoy it responsibly and the minor setbacks that happen make me want to work harder in the gym.
ReplySofie. If you have the ability to motivate yourself with marijuana then you are probably the minority. It is not uncommon for people to quit their diet because of slip-ups and set-backs.
ReplyI’m amazed how some people can control their munchies because it’s the most toughest thing for me after I smoke. I can eat nonstop. It’s my biggest problem. Anyone have any ideas how to get over this issue? I know you’ll tell me just simply don’t eat when smoking bit that’s easier said than done as we all know.
ReplyAlso does anyone know if THC retains water in the body? The reason I ask is because when I don’t smoke for like a week or so I shead lots of weight but the minute I smoke the next day I’ll feel ‘swollen’ or ‘puffy’ or as if my body retained lost of water. I also noticed that I don’t pee as much. I tried to do some research on it but could never did anything that supported my theory; that THC retains water in the body.
Any input is helpful. Thanks.
wow u guys are dum trying this diet
Replywhat’s interesting is that I’ve been smoking weed heavily for a while now. I decided to go on a diet about a month and a half ago. without realizing it, I shed over 20 lbs now. Work out, eat right, and smoke weed every day (if you choose to, I don’t condone anything)
Reply[...] calories than they need? What makes us feel full? In 1994 scientists discovered a hormone called leptin. This hormone is produced mostly in the fat cells (a small amount is also produced in the stomach) [...]
ReplyOther studies show that drugs also burn off vitamins in the system. With the nutrition missing, the brain gets a message to eat. Hence, hunger.
Ever wonder why you get a headache with a hangover after drinking alcohol? The alcohol burns off the B vitamins. Get some food if it is only yogurt into your stomach and take a dose of B complex and wait 15-30 minutes and see how you feel.
Point being, marijuana does the same thing on a larger basis.
ReplyBill, What is dum? You tell people they are dumb and you can’t even spell it? Who’s the moron in this picture!!
ReplyWell to get to the point cause most smokers have a short attention span.. lol. I lost 70 pounds smoking marijuana everyday and then working out. Without the pot I have no motivation to exercise and the pot helps me concentrate on the work out and not all the other junk in my life. Before the daily smoking I was a weekend smoker and I would become lazy and couldn’t control the munchies. Just wanted to share my true story.
ReplyPot being used as motivation… now that is something interesting. We might be onto something with this article
Thanks for sharing.
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