For those who remember the days when “the munchies” were a basic given if you indulged in a little pot-smoking, the news seems counter-intuitive. However, according to studies, new research appears to show that marijuana smokers may actually face lower risks for obesity than those who never inhale.
The study cited was conducted by French researchers, using American data. They examined the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), and correlated marijuana use to obesity rates (as reported by varying segments among the participants). About five percent of the participants in the initial survey reported using cannabis at least once in the previous year. The researchers used this factor to divide the group, and then determined the average body mass index (BMI) within both groups, to measure the relative obesity.
They found that nearly one-quarter (between 22 and 25 percent) of those not smoking pot were definably “obese”; meanwhile, among those admitting to some cannabis use, the rate was only about one-sixth (16 to 17 percent), a difference well beyond statistical variances. What’s more, among those who reported smoking more marijuana, or more frequently (three days a week in a small sample of respondents), only about 14 percent of them were obese.
This was no pre-determined study, intended to promote cannabis-use, however; the research team was mostly began examining the data with the expectation of proving yet another reason why cannabis is not good for you. The results they got were so surprising, they repeated the process, studying a second (smaller) set of survey data, this time from the National Comorbidity Survey, and got the same results. In all the two studies involved over 50,000 subjects.
Yann Le Strat, a psychiatrist at Louis Mourier Hospital in France (and an addictions therapist with his own anti-drug perspective), was one of the chief researchers involved. He was quick to offer alternative suggestions for these results, when interviewed by MyHealthNewsDaily. He noted, for example, that both surveys had involved participant responses to survey questions, rather than rigid laboratory conditions, and speculated that some pot smokers might have under-reported their weight situations, thereby skewing the results.
He also postulated a possible link between pot smokers and better dietary habits, or even more exercise, although he placed less viability on the latter premise. “On a personal point of view,” he reportedly said. “I would be surprised that cannabis use is associated with a higher rate of physical activity, but this cannot be ruled out.”
Given the effects of marijuana use on enhancing the appetite, this “better diet” theory seems specious at best. Not only among recreational users with “munchies,” but in many medical marijuana clinical situations, (where cancer patients are regularly using cannabis to overcome the nausea brought on by chemotherapy and other treatments), the tendency after ingesting cannabis tends toward bingeing, not fasting or nibbling a bit. (Meanwhile, the calming and relaxation (almost vegetation) concurrent with most pot-smoking renders the “exercise” premise almost delusional.)
There’s also confirmation that “Cannabis use is known to increase appetite.” It cites studies now under way, which are attempting to develop synthetic drugs to block brain receptors activated by cannabis compounds, in hopes those drugs might one day help to reduce hunger. “However,” the article concludes, “very few studies have looked at the link between cannabis use and obesity.”
The possibility that some components of cannabis might actually help people to lose weight was also considered. However, Le Strat’s response to this idea (rather than urging an end to the War on Some Drugs) was to recommend further pharmaceutical research, to isolate those components into yet another “pill.”
The study results were published August 24th in the American Journal of Epidemiology. One of the authors has reportedly also submitted an application for a patent in Canada, under the title, “Use of Marijuana and Compounds Therein for Treating Obesity.”
Other links to this story:
- Steve Trinward, Wellness Correspondent
The study cited was conducted by French researchers, using American data. They examined the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), and correlated marijuana use to obesity rates (as reported by varying segments among the participants). About five percent of the participants in the initial survey reported using cannabis at least once in the previous year. The researchers used this factor to divide the group, and then determined the average body mass index (BMI) within both groups, to measure the relative obesity.
They found that nearly one-quarter (between 22 and 25 percent) of those not smoking pot were definably “obese”; meanwhile, among those admitting to some cannabis use, the rate was only about one-sixth (16 to 17 percent), a difference well beyond statistical variances. What’s more, among those who reported smoking more marijuana, or more frequently (three days a week in a small sample of respondents), only about 14 percent of them were obese.
This was no pre-determined study, intended to promote cannabis-use, however; the research team was mostly began examining the data with the expectation of proving yet another reason why cannabis is not good for you. The results they got were so surprising, they repeated the process, studying a second (smaller) set of survey data, this time from the National Comorbidity Survey, and got the same results. In all the two studies involved over 50,000 subjects.
Yann Le Strat, a psychiatrist at Louis Mourier Hospital in France (and an addictions therapist with his own anti-drug perspective), was one of the chief researchers involved. He was quick to offer alternative suggestions for these results, when interviewed by MyHealthNewsDaily. He noted, for example, that both surveys had involved participant responses to survey questions, rather than rigid laboratory conditions, and speculated that some pot smokers might have under-reported their weight situations, thereby skewing the results.
He also postulated a possible link between pot smokers and better dietary habits, or even more exercise, although he placed less viability on the latter premise. “On a personal point of view,” he reportedly said. “I would be surprised that cannabis use is associated with a higher rate of physical activity, but this cannot be ruled out.”
Given the effects of marijuana use on enhancing the appetite, this “better diet” theory seems specious at best. Not only among recreational users with “munchies,” but in many medical marijuana clinical situations, (where cancer patients are regularly using cannabis to overcome the nausea brought on by chemotherapy and other treatments), the tendency after ingesting cannabis tends toward bingeing, not fasting or nibbling a bit. (Meanwhile, the calming and relaxation (almost vegetation) concurrent with most pot-smoking renders the “exercise” premise almost delusional.)
There’s also confirmation that “Cannabis use is known to increase appetite.” It cites studies now under way, which are attempting to develop synthetic drugs to block brain receptors activated by cannabis compounds, in hopes those drugs might one day help to reduce hunger. “However,” the article concludes, “very few studies have looked at the link between cannabis use and obesity.”
The possibility that some components of cannabis might actually help people to lose weight was also considered. However, Le Strat’s response to this idea (rather than urging an end to the War on Some Drugs) was to recommend further pharmaceutical research, to isolate those components into yet another “pill.”
The study results were published August 24th in the American Journal of Epidemiology. One of the authors has reportedly also submitted an application for a patent in Canada, under the title, “Use of Marijuana and Compounds Therein for Treating Obesity.”
Other links to this story:
- Steve Trinward, Wellness Correspondent