Diet Marijuana vs The Munchies
When we think about appetite, it is easy to forget that this biological function occurs more in the brain than in the stomach. Controlling appetite is a concern for many who are seeking to lose weight, control health conditions such as diabetes, or combat weight loss and nausea caused by chemotherapy or HIV-AIDS. However, there are not many conventional pharmaceuticals that treat appetite control without disruptive side effects. Likewise, over-the-counter appetite control supplements can also have bad side effects and can contain sketchy ingredients of unknown origin. This is why cannabis is of particular interest for appetite control. We’ve all heard of the “munchies” and how cannabis can stimulate appetite, but did you know that there are also cannabinoids that may help reduce appetite?
Cannabinoids from cannabis impact our bodies via the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a regulatory system that is linked to many other body systems such as the nervous system, limbic (emotional) system, and of course, the digestive system. The body naturally produces endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol). Plant cannabinoids share a similar structure so they are able to mimic the function of endocannabinoids by acting on cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2). These are the two primary receptors of the ECS. However, cannabinoids can also directly or indirectly act on receptors outside of the ECS such as serotonin receptors and pain signaling receptors. In terms of appetite control, CB1 is of particular interest because it is most strongly linked to the brain and central nervous system.
THC Appetite Stimulation
Neurotransmitters play a key role in stimulating appetite [KIRKHAM]. They also tell the body when it is full and should stop eating. Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has a well-documented ability to stimulate appetite, and it also has the ability to alleviate nausea. That is why medical cannabis has become very popular among cancer and HIV-AIDS patients who struggle with vomiting, nausea, and wasting (weight loss). THC’s appetite-stimulating effect is attributed to its ability to activate CB1. CB2 activation has not demonstrated appetite stimulation because those receptors are linked to different body systems (peripheral nervous system).
THCV Appetite Reduction and Cannabis for Type-2 Diabetes
Cannabis that is rich in the minor cannabinoid Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) has gotten the nickname “diet weed” because it is rumored to reduce appetite. THCV is called a minor cannabinoid because it is not naturally present in large amounts. Through selective breeding, cannabis growers have been able to create some strains that contain higher levels of THCV. THC activates CB1, so it is called an “agonist,” but THCV blocks CB1 activation and is called an “inverse agonist (or reverse/neutral agonist)” of CB1 [ABIOYE, GREENWAY]. Because of this opposite interaction with CB1, THCV is also not psychoactive.
There was one particular animal study that observed weight reduction and decreased food consumption following THCV treatment [ABIOYE]. However, two other animal studies did not observe weight loss, but did find beneficial effects to diabetes symptoms. In the first of these two studies, researchers observed that mice treated with THCV exhibited a significant reduction in body fat. This study didn’t observe weight loss in THCV-treated mice, but the change in body composition was notable, as was THCV’s impact on improving plasma glucose, insulin levels, and liver triglycerides. Another mouse study observed that THCV may be capable of restoring insulin sensitivity.
Cannabis for Diabetes
It is clear that more studies of THCV’s effects are needed, especially in humans. However, a small study of type-2 diabetes patients given different combinations of cannabidiol (CBD) and THCV did observe that THCV alone significantly decreased the fasting plasma glucose and increased β-cell function [Abioye, GREENWAY]. Surprisingly, the anti-diabetic benefits of THCV in human patients were not observed in the patients that were treated with the combination of CBD and THCV [GREENWAY]. This is very important to note because THCV is most abundant in CBD-rich hemp and full-spectrum hemp products.
Using THCV for Weight loss and Diabetes
THCV isolates are not widely available to the public, so people interested in it should speak with a medical marijuana doctor and avoid commercial CBD products that may be making unproven or misleading health claims. CBD product quality is a major concern due to the lack of required testing. A medical marijuana doctor can ensure you select a product that is reliable, and they can guide you in proper use and dosing.
Especially when it comes to serious health conditions, it is important that a physician supervises your treatment to avoid drug interactions or potentially dangerous effects. Diabetes can be a particularly dangerous condition if it is not properly managed, so it is extremely important that patients do not try to treat themselves with cannabis and neglect conventional care guidelines. Remember, cannabis is an emerging medical science and these are just a few small and inconclusive studies. While they provide us with some insight and hope, they are not recommending or condoning self-treatment or prescribing a tested therapy.
References
Abioye, A., Ayodele, O., Marinkovic, A., Patidar, R., Akinwekomi, A., & Sanyaolu, A. (2020). Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV): a commentary on potential therapeutic benefit for the management of obesity and diabetes. Journal of cannabis research, 2(1), 1-6.
https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-020-0016-7
Greenway, F. L., & Kirwan, J. P. (2019). Medical marijuana—an obesity problem or opportunity?. International Journal of Obesity, 43(4), 761-762.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41366-019-0334-z
Kirkham, T. C., & Williams, C. M. (2001). Endogenous cannabinoids and appetite. Nutrition research reviews, 14(1), 65-86.
