Cannabis is widely known for increasing appetite, often called giving people the “munchies.”
But for years, scientists have noticed something puzzling: people who regularly use cannabis often have lower body weight and a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to non-users.
Now, a new study from the University of California, Riverside may help explain why.
The research, published in The Journal of Physiology, suggests that some natural compounds in cannabis may improve metabolism and help control blood sugar levels.
Importantly, the benefits may come from compounds other than THC, the main psychoactive ingredient responsible for the cannabis “high.”
The study was led by Nicholas DiPatrizio, a professor of biomedical sciences at the UCR School of Medicine. His team wanted to understand why cannabis users often show healthier metabolic profiles despite the drug’s reputation for increasing food intake.
To investigate this, the researchers used obese mice that were fed diets similar to unhealthy human eating patterns. The team then compared two treatments. One group of mice received pure THC, while another group received a whole-plant cannabis extract that contained the same amount of THC along with other natural cannabis compounds.
Both groups of mice lost a significant amount of weight. However, the researchers discovered an important difference in metabolic health.
The mice treated with THC alone did lose weight, but their blood sugar control did not improve. They continued to show signs of poor glucose regulation, which is strongly linked to type 2 diabetes.
The mice treated with the whole cannabis extract had much better results. Not only did they lose weight, but their bodies also became better at controlling blood sugar levels.
According to the researchers, this suggests THC alone is probably not responsible for the metabolic benefits linked to cannabis use. Instead, other compounds naturally found in the plant may be playing an important role.
The team believes the answer may involve communication between fat tissue and the pancreas. In healthy bodies, fat cells send signals that help the pancreas regulate insulin production. In obesity and diabetes, this communication system often breaks down.
The study found that the whole cannabis extract restored this signaling system more effectively than THC alone. As a result, the mice were better able to regulate blood glucose levels.
Even though the findings are promising, the researchers strongly caution against viewing cannabis as a treatment for obesity or diabetes. The study was done in mice, not humans, and much more research is needed before any medical recommendations can be made.
The scientists are especially interested in identifying non-psychoactive cannabis compounds that could provide metabolic benefits without causing intoxication. Future studies will focus on isolating these compounds and testing them individually.
As cannabis use becomes more common and laws continue to change around the world, researchers say it is important to carefully study both the risks and possible medical benefits of cannabis.
The researchers hope their work could eventually lead to new treatments that improve metabolic health without the mind-altering effects associated with THC.
