According to a meta-analysis of clinical trials, those who consume cannabis or cannabis products often experience weight loss and reduced BMIs, indicating that they may be useful in treating obesity.
The study was published in the recent issue of the International Journal of Obesity, with its abstract published online ahead of print by the National Library of Medicine.
“Obesity poses a significant public health challenge”, states the study’s abstract. “Research has examined the impact of cannabis and subproducts on health but varying results have hindered a consensus.”
With that in mind, “This study aimed to evaluated the effects of cannabis and subproducts on body measurements.”
For the study researchers examined results from numerous of randomized controlled trials using “a systematic search at MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science”.
Researchers say “The outcomes included changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Meta-analysis was realized using R software (version 4.2.1).”
The study states that “In general, cannabis use reduced weight by 1.87 kg (95% CI: −3.71 to −0.03) and WC (mean difference = −2.19, 95% CI: −4.44 to 0.06). When examining subgroups, longer follow-up periods were associated with a more pronounced BMI reduction (mean difference = −1.10, 95% CI: −2.23 to 0.03). Cannabinoid CB1 exhibited an increase in body fat (mean difference = 1.70, 95% CI: 0.66–2.74).”
Researchers conclude:
These findings suggest that cannabis and subproducts could be considered adjuncts in obesity treatment by helping to reduce relevant anthropometric measurements.
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