Now that the holidays are behind us and all the tasty meals, desserts, and good times have been shared, many people are looking at 2022 with big goals and new expectations like living a longer and healthier lifestyle.
One component in overall health that might not immediately jump out at you is medical marijuana, and it can actually play an important role in your dieting, weight loss, and exercise routine.
With West Virginia finally opening dispensaries in 2021, patients with qualifying conditions that are approved for a West Virginia medical marijuana certification can start to think about adding cannabis to their 2022 health goals.
In this article, we’ll cover how medical marijuana can impact your dieting, how cannabis may actually improve BMI, and how cannabis can help you cut carbs after the holidays!
Medical Marijuana & Dieting
Does Cannabis Make You Fatter?
When most people think about cannabis in terms of food or dieting, it’s usually either related to how strong edibles are or how every cannabis user gets the munchies.
But while some people do get the munchies (and there’s nothing wrong with that!), not everyone experiences the same rush of hunger from cannabis—and there’s no evidence to suggest that cannabis use encourages weight gain.
In fact, the stats say it’s just the opposite. Studies suggest that cannabis users are less likely to be obese and have a lower BMI on average than people who don’t use cannabis.
Does Medical Marijuana Make You Lose Weight?
On the other side of things, although cannabis users may have a lower rate of obesity, there’s minimal evidence to suggest that cannabis use alone will heavily contribute to weight loss.
However, new research is suggesting that cannabis can play a role in weight loss, and THC may even promote an increase in long-term metabolism and improved gut biome, which are both critically linked to how weight loss is achieved.
It’s safe to say that cannabis use alone probably won’t help you shave off an extra 20 or 30 pounds, but when cannabis is combined with a healthier diet and exercise, it may contribute considerably to a lot of factors that promote better overall health.
How Cannabis Can Help with Unhealthy Eating
Omega-6 Fatty Acids & How Cannabis Interacts with Their Receptors
One contributing factor to lower overall health are diets that are too high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are heavily present in many fried foods and foods made with vegetable oil. Too much omega-6 can lead to higher rates of inflammation, increased hunger, reduced metabolic rate, and incites higher fat storage.
A lot of this happens because of how omega-6 interacts with CB1R receptors, and THC can interact with the CB1R receptor to offset some of these problems, which may help restore homeostasis to the receptors that are being signaled by too much omega-6.
The Mental Side of Cannabis & Dieting
Although we might tend to dial in more of the data and science behind cannabis and dieting, a large part of how cannabis can positively (or negatively) affect dieting relies on the mental effects of cannabis, which can be very subjective among patients.
Many medical marijuana patients report that the positive mental effects of cannabis help them look at their diet habits differently. Often, there’s more guilt associated with eating unhealthy foods right after the holidays anyway, and cannabis use may help excite those perspectives.
Additionally, heightened awareness of how your body reacts to food can also promote a healthier diet. Everyone who experiences the “thanksgiving slump” after heaps of turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy knows exactly what this feels like.
A strong sativa will quickly remind you just how sluggish foods that are high in sodium and omega-6 make us really feel, which makes us more tired with less energy.
The Awareness & Gratitude That Cannabis Can Bring
While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the extra-festive meals that are too tasty to ignore from time to time, a poor long-term diet can heavily contribute to many increased health risks.
Many medical marijuana patients find that cannabis helps them identify their strengths and weaknesses much easier, and a common weakness among many people is a vulnerability to unhealthy foods that taste too good.
Cannabis can offer different perspectives for how your eating habits affect your mood, sleep, and health, and with cannabis playing the role of regulator in all those categories, medical marijuana use may help shed some extra light on what your inner priorities really are.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Certification in West Virginia
With a healthier lifestyle in mind for 2022, many medical marijuana patients are looking forward to new and exciting products from West Virginia dispensaries soon. Only patients with an official medical marijuana certification can purchase and possess cannabis legally in West Virginia and getting a cannabis certification is easy!
Take the steps to schedule your medical marijuana evaluation appointment today and get access to legal marijuana products available at dispensaries!
Being a West Virginia medical marijuana patient allows you the freedom to take your medication the right way for you. We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way! Feel free to give us a call at 877-303-8424 and we can answer your questions about getting a medical marijuana card in West Virginia.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to help everyone achieve
wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana.
Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for
our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out West Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in West Virginia.
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