Cannabis is widely known for increasing appetite, often called having the “munchies.” Many people become hungrier after using cannabis and may eat much more than usual.
Because of this, scientists have long expected regular cannabis users to gain weight. Surprisingly, many large population studies have found the opposite.
People who regularly use cannabis often have lower body weight and a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who do not use it. This surprising finding has puzzled researchers for years.
Now, a new preclinical study from the University of California, Riverside may help explain this mystery. The research was published in The Journal of Physiology.
Instead of looking only at THC, the main mind-altering chemical in cannabis, the scientists studied whether other natural compounds in the plant might also affect metabolism.
Metabolism is the collection of chemical processes that help the body turn food into energy and control blood sugar.
When metabolism does not work properly, people may become overweight or develop type 2 diabetes. Scientists have been searching for new ways to improve metabolism because obesity and diabetes affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
The research team, led by Professor Nicholas V. DiPatrizio, used obese mice that were fed diets similar to those that contribute to obesity in people. One group received pure THC. Another group received a whole-plant cannabis extract containing the same amount of THC together with many other naturally occurring cannabis compounds.
Both groups of mice lost weight during the study. However, the researchers discovered an important difference. Mice treated with THC alone still had poor control of their blood sugar. In contrast, mice treated with the whole cannabis extract not only lost weight but also showed much healthier blood sugar control.
Further investigation suggested that compounds other than THC helped restore communication between fat tissue and the pancreas.
Normally, fat cells send chemical signals that help the pancreas release the right amount of insulin. In obesity and type 2 diabetes this communication becomes disrupted. The whole cannabis extract appeared to improve this signaling pathway, allowing blood sugar to be controlled more effectively.
The researchers believe this finding may explain why cannabis users sometimes show better metabolic health despite eating more food. It also suggests that several cannabis compounds may work together rather than THC acting alone.
However, the scientists strongly warn that these findings should not be taken as evidence that people should use cannabis to lose weight or prevent diabetes. This was an animal study, and results in mice often differ from those in humans. More laboratory research and carefully designed clinical trials are needed before any treatment recommendations can be made.
The team now hopes to identify the specific non-intoxicating cannabis compounds responsible for these benefits. If successful, future medicines might improve metabolism without causing the psychoactive effects associated with THC.
The study is strengthened by directly comparing pure THC with a whole-plant extract while using detailed metabolic testing. Its main limitation is that it was performed only in mice, so the findings cannot yet be applied to people.
Even so, the research provides an important clue that cannabis contains several biologically active compounds that deserve further study.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about how ultra-processed foods and red meat influence your longevity, and why seafood may boost healthy aging.
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