A new study just out reveals that, contrary to what you might think, folks who use Marijuana / Cannabis regularly don’t gain weight from constant attacks of The Munchies. But that’s not to say that smoking Weed is in line to become the next big thing in weight loss methods…
In spite of what you might assume, The Munchies don’t cause excess weight gain!
What they did…
Researchers from Michigan State University used data from the U.S. National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions and looked at the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 33,000 participants, aged 18 and older, then compared the numbers based on which subjects used Pot and which didn’t.
What they found…
“Over a three-year period, all participants showed a weight increase. But interestingly, those who used Marijuana had less of an increase compared to those that never used,” said Dr. Omayma Alshaarawy, lead author of the study report.. “Our study builds on mounting evidence that this opposite effect occurs. […] We found that users, even those who [had] just started, were more likely to be at a normal, healthier weight and stay at that weight [than non-users]. Only 15 percent of persistent users were considered obese compared to 20 percent of non-users.”
The average difference in weight between users and no-users was only 2 lb. / o.9 k – but Alshaarawy points out that that difference remains constant over the entire 30,000+ subject data base. In other words, there’s definitely somethig in Marijuana and its use that helps ward off weight loss.
Alshaarawy says the study didn’t go into the possible causes behind Pot users’ tendency not to gain excessive weight.
The takeaway…
“It could be something that’s more behavioral, like someone becoming more conscious of their food intake as they worry about the munchies after cannabis use and gaining weight,” she said. “Or it could be the Cannabis use itself, which can modify how certain cells, or receptors, respond in the body and can ultimately affect weight gain. More research needs to be done.”
My take…
I think it’s most important to note, as Alshaarawy does in her conclusions, that Weed should not be considered an option for weight control.
“There [are] too many health concerns around Cannabis that far outweigh the potential positive, yet modest, effects it has on weight gain.”
At least, Weed users need not worry too much about getting fat, absent other obesity-causing factors in their lives.
~ Maggie J.