Contributor: Asia Mayfield
Close your eyes. Now try to picture the typical stoner. Do you imagine a grungy youth, mired in a cloud of Cheeto dust, and a mountain of crumbs? You’re not alone. For most people, marijuana = munchies. Classic stoner movies show people demolishing junk food like they’ve been paid to do it.
Can You Actually Lose Weight With “Skinny Weed”? Here’s Everything You Need To Know
Here’s the thing, though. The stereotype might be wrong. In fact, as scientists continue to delve into the ins and outs of cannabis, a dissenting picture has emerged. Researchers now believe that cannabis might actually help you lose weight, or at least make it harder to gain. According to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology: “This cross-sectional analysis indicated that despite the evidence that cannabis use stimulates appetite in clinical trials and laboratory studies, cannabis users are actually less likely to be obese than nonusers in the general population.”
There are a few different reasons why cannabis users tend to weigh less. It could be that thinner people are more inclined to smoke pot than heavier people. That’s not the prevailing theory, however. Instead, many researchers believe that the answer resides in cannabis, itself. As cannabis legalization sweeps the country, scientists and industry leaders can tease out the plant’s mysteries. They no longer have to worry about the federal government swooping in.
A few companies are even marketing “skinny” weed. “The folks that I’ve talked to that have had experience with our products are pretty universally impressed… We are getting reports of weight loss that are sustained,” says Paul Daley, chief science officer at California Cannabinoids.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Skinny Pot?
“Skinny” pot is cannabis that has been bred specifically to aid weight loss or weight maintenance efforts. These companies are fueled by data released from a report published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
As those authors explain: “It’s important to remember that this research simply suggests there are some links between marijuana use and lower body weight. It’s unclear what’s behind this link, and there’s not enough evidence to say that using marijuana is an effective way to lose weight.”
Humans respond to cannabis because its compounds, called cannabinoids, and how they react with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). A lot of attention has been paid to how THC and CBD, the two most popular cannabinoids, interact with the ECS. As laboratories are freed from federal restrictions, researchers are turning their attention to the smaller players. One of those cannabinoids receiving a fresh burst of interest is tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCV.
Science doesn’t know exactly how THCV affects the ECS. They suspect, however, that “it can prevent people from overeating — for example, THCV has been shown to reduce the time that ‘non-obese’ mice spend close to a food hopper. We also think that ingesting THCV produces an increase in energy, though these effects are short-lived. THCV can also potentially treat diabetes.”
Most states require dispensaries to list strain and product information, including terpene and cannabinoid content. THCV isn’t very common, but you might be able to find it, if you go to multiple dispensaries.
It’s possible that THCV boosts your metabolism. As Healthline notes: “There’s some evidence that cannabis interacts with cannabinoid receptor 1, which plays a role in metabolism and food intake. High amounts of cannabis appear to increase metabolism and reduce energy storage, resulting in a lower BMI.”
However, none of this is an exact science yet. We’ve only just begun to use science to figure out how cannabis affects us. Although the results are promising, no one can say exactly how you’ll experience any one particular strain, or cannabis product.
“People make a big mistake in thinking they can mimic the efficacy of the plant by manipulating cannabinoids and terpenes,” says Dr. Patricia Frye, chief medical officer at HelloMD.
“There are a lot of other chemicals in the plant and they tend to work better together – that’s the entourage effect. There are flavonoids and other compounds that we don’t even know are there, let alone how they interact or influence the ones we do know about.”
How to find Skinny Pot
Now that you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to figure out how to find “skinny” pot. Your average budtender will have no idea what you’re talking about, so you’ll need to show up armed with your own knowledge.
It’s possible that your local weed shop already has products marketed specifically for weight loss. That will make your job a lot easier. However, unless you live in a major weed city, like Los Angeles or Las Vegas, you’re unlikely to find these fledgling products.
So, you need to think about what you’re looking for. Is your diet okay, but you’re too sedentary? Then you need to look at strains known for providing energy boosts. Sativa strains are loosely associated with energetic highs, but everyone is different.
Or, you might search for strains that are heavy with THCV. This uncommon cannabinoid can be spotted if you look for it. You might be able to get the information you need from the grower’s website, as well.
Where to Find Skinny Pot
Head to your nearest dispensary. Basement Dave, who sells weed on the sly, isn’t going to have what you need. Or if he does, he won’t know it. You need to know precise terpene and cannabinoid information to suss out a strain that will help you lose weight.
Or, you can always adopt the old-fashioned method, and make sure there’s no junk food around when you smoke pot. Fill your fridge with carrot sticks and apples, instead of Snickers bars, if you can stand it.
If you can’t, there’s good news. The skinny weed revolution is already underway. Expect to see more and more products released on the market, as industry thinkers refine their knowledge.
