Leaves of a mature marijuana plant are seenin a display at The International Cannabis and Hemp Expo April 18, 2010 at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Justin Sullivan)
A 42-year old woman named Becca Foster claims that medicinal marijuana helped her lose a total of 80 pounds of weight within a year and a half. She confessed going through "cannabis cleanse", which helped her shed all the weight.
"I believe cannabis saved my life, it gave me back me and gave my kids back their mother," Foster told WPTV. "It made me slow down my eating, I felt satisfied on vegetables, good fats and meat, and I'd leave the table not feeling guilty or ashamed... cannabis helped me slow down," she added.
Foster consumed Marijuana after every meal. She also reduced her sugar intake and stopped drinking alcohol. She lost weight dramatically in the first 90 days.
The American Journal of Epidemiology published a study that found a connection between a person's body weight and marijuana use. It showed that one-third of those who smoke marijuana at least thrice a week had lower obesity rates compared to those who do not use marijuana, Time reported.
Two national surveys were done in America that was participated by over 52,000 people. In the first survey, it was found that only 14% of those that used marijuana were obese, compared to the 22% obesity rate of those who did not use marijuana. In the second survey, only 17% of regular cannabis users were obese compared to the 25% obesity rate of non-cannabis users.
While factors such as body fat, health habits, age, gender, lifestyle, habits and heredity can be detrimental to one's obesity, the relation between marijuana use and body weight remains strong. It must be considered, however, that one of the most popular use for medicinal marijuana is appetite stimulation.
There is still no solid evidence as to the connection of marijuana use and body weight. In fact, it contradicts the fact that cannabis actually increases the appetite as seen in multiple studies.
It can be assumed that because marijuana's effects are reduced when frequently used, it may become less effective as an appetite stimulant over a long period of use. Another factor may be substitution, wherein smoking marijuana provides more comfort than eating more food.
Check out some more information on how medical marijuana can aid weight loss:
