​Cannabidiol or CBD is a plant compound graining increased popularity in the natural health world.   Individuals are touting the weight loss benefits of CBD, but does it work?  The Federal Drug Administration has only approved CBD as a treatment for rare forms of epilepsy and specific cases of seizures.  All the other uses are considered off-label or not supported in the medical literature.   

​The effects of CBD in the body are related to how it affects the internal endocannabinoid system.  This system responds to different chemicals in the body through cannabinoid (CB) receptors, called CB1 and CB2 receptors.  CB1 receptors are predominant in the brain and central nervous system.  CB2 receptors are found mostly  

in the immune system, connective tissue, and organs. ​Too much stimulation of CB1 receptors, as in ingesting or smoking cannabis, will cause the munchies.  However, stimulation of the CB2 receptors from CBD, promotes appetite control and no munchies. Unfortunately, the public lumps cannabis and CBD together believing both promote the munchies. That could not be farther from the truth.  ​

However, the key role CBD plays is changing bad fat in the body into good fat in the body.  The bad fat in the body is white fat and the good fat is brown fat.  

What is White Fat? 

​The purpose of white fat is to provide a cushion for the organs and a thermal insulator to keep us warm.  White fat has been attributed to the muffin top on your tummy and the love handle on your back side; although not wanted this fat is essential for our overall well-being.  White fat is composed of a single layer of lipid droplet and far less mitochondria (energy producing plants in the fat cell) and blood vessels giving white fat its color.  White fat comprises the largest energy reserve in the body.  White fat produces the cellulite and bumpy fat seen on the body.  

​On average women have 6 to 11 percent more body fat than men.  Research supports the role of estrogen to reduce women’s ability to burn energy after eating resulting in more fat being stored around the body.   The reason being is women are built to sustain a pregnancy and give birth to a child therefore fat is needed for fuel.   

However, CBD stimulates CB2 receptors in white fat and triggers them to change into brown fat. ​

What is Brown Fat? 

​Now that you understand your worst enemy, white fat, let’s look at brown fat. Your new best friend is brown fat. Unlike white fat, brown fat is composed of several small lipid droplet layers with many iron-containing mitochondria.  The mitochondria in the brown fat use energy to burn calories and generate heat.  As we age brown fat levels decrease.  Brown fat is found in lean muscle tissue, metabolically healthy individuals and can burn up to five times more calories than other types of fat.   

How does Brown Fat Help Your Body? 

​Brown fat helps your body in different ways: 

CBD Promotes the Browning of Fat Cells  

​One of the main mechanisms by which CBD promotes weight loss is by increasing the browning of fat cells or turning white adipose tissue into brown adipose tissue. This is a process the body goes through, first changing white fat to beige fat and eventually to brown fat.  CBD is a natural supplement to help supercharge your body ‘s tissue composition to one lean-mean burning machine. Men are our example of high brown fat content as they inherently feel warm to the touch.   

CBD and Appetite Control 

​Another positive side effect of CBD is it helps to regulate appetite.  So, CBD can be a powerful allay in your weight loss tool kit.  A study from 2011 showed that rats who were given CBD ate significantly less than the control group, even when they had access to as much food as they wanted.   

​CBD has also been shown to stimulate leptin production, a hormone that signals the brain when you are full.  This hormone makes you feel satisfied after a meal and prevents you from eating more than you should. 

Conclusion 

​CBD taken consistently could be your new metabolic regulator to curb your appetite, increase your metabolism and change your bad fat into good fat.  How about considering CBD in your daily regimen?  What do you have to lose? 

By Dr. Dana Lillestol, PhD

Health Advocate, Educator and Entrepreneur