Therapeutic Cannabis Use Linked to Improved Obesity Outcomes

Therapeutic use of cannabis is associated with weight and body mass index (BMI) reduction, according to study findings published in the International Journal of Obesity. 

Recent study findings have suggested a connection between the endocannabinoid system and obesity. Although growing evidence supports the use of cannabis to treat metabolic imbalances, the effects of cannabis and its derivatives remains unclear.

To assess the effects of cannabis on anthropometric measure changes, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials up to March 2023. Inclusion criteria were intervention studies that assessed changes in obesity indicators among adults using cannabis and subproducts.

The study outcomes included measures of changes in BMI, waist circumference, and secondarily reduced mass of fat according to dual-energy absorption.

The analysis included 27 studies and a total of 4394 participants, of whom 2674 were in the cannabis intervention group and 1720 were in the control group. Across studies, the follow-up period ranged from 42 to 1338 days, whereas participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 70 years old. 

The cannabis study interventions included Rimonabant (8 studies), Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and analogs (2 studies), cannabidiol (1 study), β-caryophyllene (1 study), and hemp oil (1 study).

Compared with the control group, the cannabis group had a reduction in mean weight of 1.87 kg (95% CI, -3.71 to -0.03) and a reduction in mean waist circumference of 2.19 cm (95% CI, -4.44 to 0.06).

The researchers also noted a slight decrease in mean BMI (mean difference, -0.05; 95% CI, -1.04 to -0.94) and a slight increase in body fat percentage (mean difference, 0.58; 95% CI, -1.75 to 2.92) among participants using cannabis and subproducts. 

In subgroup analysis, the researchers found the greatest decreases in weight and BMI among users of cannabinoid type 2 receptor antagonists or agonists (mean difference, -2.60; 95% CI, -4.66 to -0.54) and users of cannabinoid type 1 receptor antagonists or agonists (mean difference, -0.78; 95% CI, -1.80 to -0.24), respectively.

Longer follow-up periods were associated with greater BMI decreases (mean difference, -1.10; 95% CI, -2.23 to 0.03), whereas cannabinoid type 1 receptor antagonists and agonists were associated with an increase in body fat (mean difference, 1.70; 95% CI, 0.66-2.74).

Study limitations include the small number of included studies, the potential for cannabis misuse in clinical studies, and lack of information regarding participant food intake. 

The researchers concluded, “[A]dditional studies that use sound methodological designs and control significant variables, such as intake, diet quality, previous nutritional status and physical activity practice are crucial for the advancement of research in the field.”