Marijuana users may have a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese compared to non-users.
Marijuana, known for its psychoactive component THC, is often associated with the "munchies" effect, which stimulates appetite and can potentially lead to weight gain. However, a recent study led by Dr. Omayma Alshaarawy, an assistant professor of family medicine at Michigan State University, has found a surprising twist: both new and persistent marijuana users may have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) compared to non-users.
The study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, included computer-assisted interviews about participants' cannabis use and BMI. The findings suggest a complex interplay between marijuana use and weight regulation, involving multiple physiological mechanisms.
One of the key mechanisms involves the endocannabinoid system, which regulates mood, memory, and appetite. THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, increases levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin, signalling the brain to induce hunger. It also stimulates the release of dopamine, the feel-good hormone, enhancing pleasure during eating and potentially increasing food intake.
However, the observed association of marijuana use with lower BMI might be due to increased metabolism or other unknown metabolic effects. The study suggests possible mechanisms for this association, including behavioural changes and cellular responses.
Despite the potential weight-loss association, Dr. Alshaarawy warns against using marijuana as a means to lose or maintain weight. She emphasises that the potential positive effects of marijuana on weight gain are modest when compared to the health concerns associated with its use. The study does not infer causality as it is observational in nature.
The study involved approximately 33,000 U.S. participants aged 18 and older who were part of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) study between 2001 and 2005. By the end of the NESARC study period, 77% of the participants had never smoked cannabis, 18% had quit, 3% were just starting, and 2% were "persistent users."
Interestingly, only 15% of persistent marijuana users were considered obese, compared to 20% of non-users. The study used general linear modeling to study the relationship between BMI and marijuana use, and the difference in BMI between marijuana users and non-users, although small, was found significant.
While the study provides valuable insights into the relationship between marijuana use and BMI, more research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms. As Dr. Alshaarawy concludes, the complex effects of marijuana on weight gain and BMI involve multiple physiological mechanisms that warrant further investigation.
- The endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in appetite regulation, may offer insight into the complex interplay between marijuana use and weight management, as THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, increases hunger hormones and stimulates dopamine release, potentially increasing food intake.
- The surprising finding of the study led by Dr. Omayma Alshaarawy suggests that both new and persistent marijuana users may have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) compared to non-users, despite the stimulation of appetite by THC.
- The study's findings demonstrate a need for ongoing research into the health-and-wellness aspects of marijuana use, particularly regarding its effects on weight gain and Body Mass Index (BMI), as the complex physiological mechanisms involved require further investigation. Nutrition and weight-management strategies should not rely on marijuana as a means to lose or maintain weight, as health concerns associated with its use outweigh these potential effects.
