Tag Archives: cannabis

Marijuana May Deflect Obesity

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“Cannabis seems to have many different allures. It can produce a “high.” It can give the feeling of munchies. Now, it can possibly help combat obesity. Scientists recently revealed that they found two compounds from cannabis leaves that could up the total energy that the body burns.”

 

“Previous studies of two specific compounds demonstrated that they could be used to treat type-two diabetes. The compounds were also discovered to have the ability to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood stream and decrease fat in important organs such as the liver. With the aim of treating patients who have “metabolic syndrome,” the researchers are currently conducting clinical trials in 200 patients with the drug. With “metabolic syndrome,” diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity combine to heighten the risk of heart disease and stroke in patients.”

Read more: http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112653330/research-finds-marijuana-may-deflect-obesity/

Pot Smokers May Have Lower Risk of Obesity

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“Despite the tendency of marijuana users to experience the “munchies,” pot smokers may have a lower risk of obesity that those who don’t use the drug, a new study finds.”

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 “The results show the prevalence of obesity is lower among people who frequently smoke pot compared with those who have never inhaled.

The researchers said they were surprised by their initial results, because they expected to find the opposite. So they examined a second sample of people, and found exactly the same result. Together, the two samples studied more than 50,000 people.

The reason behind the link is not clear. It could be that people who use cannabis also engage in other behaviors that lower their obesity risk. Or it may be that pot smokers exercise more or have a specific diet that keeps them thin, said study researcher Yann Le Strat, a psychiatrist at Louis Mourier Hospital in France.

“On a personal point of view, I would be surprised that cannabis use is associated with a higher rate of physical activity, but this cannot be ruled out,” Le Strat told MyHealthNewsDaily.

Another possibility is that components of cannabis may help people lose weight. If this turns out to be the case, researchers should investigate which components these might be and try to put them into drug form, Le Strat said.”

Read more: http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/1651-cannabis-obesity-risk.html

Can Marijuana really be used to treat obesity?

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“Some of you may read that title and are subconsciously checking off another reason why pot is fucking awesome. Good for you, the perception of marijuana as  an illicit substance has been changing steadily over the course of the decades. Several opinion polls now indicate that a majority of Americans now support the legalization of marijuana, conclusively proving that people like to get high.

Aside from getting high and playing Xbox live, it now appears that marijuana use may actually reduce the likelihood of obesity in individuals who smoke pot regularly. According to a study recently published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, regular users of cannabis have a much lower prevalence of obesity than non users. Even when the researchers adjusted for other factors that can contribute to body fat such as tobacco use, age or gender, the correlation remained strong.”

Read more:http://scallywagandvagabond.com/2013/05/can-marijuana-really-be-used-to-treat-obesity/

Pot Smokers May Have Lower Risk of Obesity – Fox News

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  • “Despite the tendency of marijuana users to experience the “munchies,” pot smokers may have a lower risk of obesity that those who don’t use the drug, a new study finds.”
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  • marijuana buds
     
  • “The results show the prevalence of obesity is lower among people who frequently smoke pot compared with those who have never inhaled.

    The researchers said they were surprised by their initial results, because they expected to find the opposite. So they examined a second sample of people, and found exactly the same result. Together, the two samples studied more than 50,000 people…”

The study was published Aug. 24 in the American Journal of Epidemiology. One of the authors of the study has submitted a patent application in Canada entitled ‘‘Use of Marijuana and Compounds Therein for Treating Obesity.”

Pass it on: Obesity is less common in people who smoke cannabis.”

 Read more:http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/09/06/pot-smokers-may-have-lower-risk-obesity/

Cannabis – the new weight loss secret?

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“Now we might know why dopers look so thin and gaunt. Cannabis facilitates weight loss!”

Cannabis

“Two cannabis compounds can raise the quantum of energy the body burns and keep obesity at bay. Called THCV and cannabidiol, they were found to have an appetite suppressing effect too for a short while. Animal tests have shown these compounds can help treat type two diabetes while also lowering levels of cholesterol in the blood stream and fat in key organs like the liver.

Scientists also found the compounds also had an impact on the level of fat and its response to insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar levels, the Telegraph reports. THCV was also found to increase the animals’ sensitivity to insulin while also protecting the cells that produce insulin, allowing them to work better and for longer.

Steph Wright, director of research and development at GW Pharmaceuticals developing the drugs, said: “The results in animal models have been very encouraging. We are interested in how these drugs effect the fat distribution and utilisation in the body as a treatment for metabolic diseases”. We are conducting four Phase 2 clinical trials and we expect some results later this year,” Wright said. 

Tests in mice showed the compounds boosted their metabolism, leading to lower levels of fat in their livers and reduced cholesterol in their blood stream. They are now conducting clinical trials in 200 patients in the hope of producing a drug that can be used to treat patients suffering from “metabolic syndrome”, where diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity combine to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Mike Cawthorne, director of metabolic research at the University of Buckingham who has been conducting the animal studies, said: “Over all, it seems these molecules increase energy expenditure in the cells of the body by increasing the metabolism”.”

http://health.india.com/news/cannabis-the-new-weight-loss-secret/

Cannabis Compounds can Help Treat Obesity

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“Two cannabis compounds could be a new weapon in the fight against obesity, say researchers. Animal tests have shown these compounds can help treat type two diabetes while also lowering levels of cholesterol in the blood stream and fat in key organs like the liver.”

Cannabis Compounds can Help Treat Obesity

“Scientists also found the compounds also had an impact on the level of fat and its response to insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar levels, the Telegraph reports.

THCV was also found to increase the animals’ sensitivity to insulin while also protecting the cells that produce insulin, allowing them to work better and for longer.

Steph Wright, director of research and development at GW Pharmaceuticals developing the drugs, said: “The results in animal models have been very encouraging. We are interested in how these drugs effect the fat distribution and utilisation in the body as a treatment for metabolic diseases…”

Mike Cawthorne, director of metabolic research at the University of Buckingham who has been conducting the animal studies, said: “Over all, it seems these molecules increase energy expenditure in the cells of the body by increasing the metabolism”.”
 
 

Pot smokers are skinnier: study – MSN

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“People who smoke marijuana have smaller waists and are less likely to have insulin resistance, according to a controversial US study.”

Pot smokers are skinnier: study
 
“Despite the fact that the marijuana-induced “munchies” usually makes users eat more calories than non-smokers, users don’t appear to gain weight like people who don’t smoke.Researchers from the University of Nebraska, the Harvard School of Public Health and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre studied more than 4600 adults.Twelve percent of the participants were current marijuana users and 42 percent said they had smoked cannabis in the past.

The researchers tested their insulin resistance, cholesterol levels, waist circumference and fasting insulin and glucose levels, and found the pot smokers scored significantly better than the non-smokers, even after they’d factored in other risk factors, such as age, sex, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use.

The smokers’ insulin levels were 16 percent lower and their insulin resistance was reduced by 17 percent. Insulin resistance is a condition where the body can’t effectively absorb glucose from the blood, and is linked with weight gain.

The pot smokers also had more good cholesterol.

The 42 percent who used to smoke also scored better, however the results were not as significant as the current smokers.

The authors said they’re not sure why it happens, however said the fact marijuana seems to aid insulin regulation and reduce fat gain could also explain why marijuana smokers are less likely to have diabetes”

http://health.msn.co.nz/healthnews/8660133/pot-smokers-are-skinnier-study 

Does pot prevent obesity? What new marijuana study says – CBS News

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“Move over, fad diets. Scientists have identified something else that might keep off excess weight.

Smoking pot.

That’s right, marijuana users are less likely to be obese than their non-toking counterparts, according to a new study.

Doesn’t pot-smoking cause the munchies?

Actually, the researchers behind the study had been expecting to find that marijuana smokers would weigh more than non-users.

“Cannabis is supposed to increase appetite,” study author Dr. Yann Le Strat, a psychiatrist at Louis-Mourier Hospital in Colombes, France, told MSNBC.

 “We found that cannabis users are less likely to be obese than non-users…””

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20102773-10391704/does-pot-prevent-obesity-what-new-marijuana-study-says/

Smoking cannabis could reduce the risk of diabetes by controlling blood sugar

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“People who regularly smoke cannabis may have a lower risk of developing diabetes, new research suggests.”
 
Marijuana users had significantly lower levels of the hormone insulin - indicating better blood sugar control“Marijuana users had significantly lower levels of the hormone insulin – indicating better blood sugar control… could pave the way for the development of treatments using the plant’s compound active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

Marijuana users had 16% lower fasting insulin levels than non-users.

They were also less likely to be insulin resistant and had smaller waists.

Previous research has found cannabis smokers are less likely to be obese.”

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2324743/Smoking-cannabis-reduce-risk-diabetes-controlling-blood-sugar.html 

Regular Cannabis Users ‘Have Better Blood Sugar Control’

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“People who regularly use cannabis have better blood sugar control than those who do not, providing implications for use of the drug in diabetic control.”

Cannabis users have lower blood sugar levels than non-users (Reuters)

“Research published in the American Journal of Medicine found current marijuana users are less likely to be insulin resistant and have significantly lower fasting insulin levels, even after patients with diabetes were excluded from the study. 

The ream found cannabis users’ fasting insulin levels were 16% lower than non-users…

Cannabis in becoming increasingly used for medical purposes, with the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) approved in the US as a treatment for the side effect of chemotherapy. It is legal for recreational use in two states and 19 for medical use.

The researchers looked at data obtained through the National Health and Nutrition Survey between 2005 and 2010.

They looked at questionnaires from 4,657 people, of which 579 were regular cannabis users, 1,975 had used marijuana but not regularly and 2,103 had never used the drug.

Insulin and glucose were measured through blood samples after a nine hour fast and insulin resistance was calculated.

The team found that people who had used cannabis in the last month had lower levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which is associated with better cardiovascular health…”

Read more: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/467817/20130515/cannabis-marijuana-lower-blood-sugar-levels-diabetes.htm