Marijuana Lowers Obesity and Diabetes Risk

Marijuana and a burger
Several studies indicate that marijuana use can lower body mass index and body fat percentage, and positively influence fasting insulin levels. Research has found that despite marijuana's appetite-stimulating effects, its users are generally less likely to be obese than non-users. Furthermore, marijuana use has been associated with lower rates of diabetes, with users demonstrating better carbohydrate metabolism and lower fasting insulin levels. The exact mechanisms behind these effects are not fully understood, but hypotheses suggest the involvement of marijuana's impact on fat metabolism and cannabinoid brain receptors.
Table of Contents

Multiple studies suggest marijuana lowers body mass index and body fat percentage, while exerting a positive effect on fasting insulin levels. CannaMD takes a closer look at the research, below.

Marijuana and obesity

In 2011, the American Journal of Epidemiology reviewed two population-based nationally representative studies exploring the relationship between marijuana use and obesity. After analyzing results from over 50,000 respondents, researchers concluded:

The prevalence of obesity was significantly lower in cannabis users than in nonusers […] The proportion of obese participants decreased with the frequency of cannabis use.

Addressing widely held stereotypes, the authors added:

This cross-sectional analysis indicated that despite the evidence that cannabis use stimulates appetite in clinical trials and laboratory studies, cannabis users are actually less likely to be obese than nonusers in the general population.

Likewise, a study from 2006 found that even though marijuana use may be correlated with increased caloric intake, it is not associated with higher body mass index (BMI) or glucose levels.

While surprising to some, a number of studies have found similar results. In 2014, researchers reviewed data from 786 participants, concluding:

Cannabis use was statistically associated with lower body mass index and lower percent fat mass… after adjusting for numerous confounding variables.

Approaching the issue from a different angle, The American Journal of Medicine published supporting results, noting:

We found significant associations between marijuana use and smaller waist circumferences.

So what’s going on?

No one knows for sure, but researchers think it might have something do with how marijuana affects adipose tissue (fat) metabolism or possibly cannabinoid receptor CB1 (the principal brain receptor mediating marijuana’s effects). Interestingly, the same researchers did not find that glucose metabolism was involved with the cannabis/BMI connection; however, other studies suggest a possible degree of involvement.

Marijuana and diabetes

In addition to lower rates of obesity, cannabis users also demonstrate a lower risk for diabetes, with a recent study concluding:

In a robust multivariate model controlling for socio-demographic factors, laboratory values and comorbidity, the lower odds of diabetes mellitus among marijuana users was significant […] Marijuana use was independently associated with a lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus.

(Results were so impressive that Time followed up with an article titled, Marijuana: The Next Diabetes Drug?.)

Speaking of his own 2013 research, Harvard Medical School professor Murray Mittleman writes:

The most important finding is that current users of marijuana appeared to have better carbohydrate metabolism than nonusers. Their fasting insulin levels were lower, and they appeared to be less resistant to the insulin produced by their body to maintain a normal blood-sugar level.

Again, researchers are unsure of marijuana’s exact mechanism of action; however, one hypothesis points to the role of myrcene (the most abundant terpene in cannabis). Scientists from the University of Jordan found that myrcene and thujone (a non-cannabis, naturally occurring chemical compound) produced a “pronounced hypoglycemic effect” in diabetic rats.

As with the weight loss effect, researchers also believe cannabinoid brain receptors likely play a large role in marijuana’s influence on insulin.

Updated: July 28, 2023

Article Written By:

Jessica Walters

Jessica Walters serves as CannaMD's Chief Medical Researcher. Prior to her time at CannaMD, Jessica earned her degree from Harvard where she focused on neuropsychology. Her personal research interests include psychosocial interventions for obesity, depression, and generalized anxiety disorders.

NEED YOUR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD?

Questions about medical marijuana? Ready to get your card and purchase legal cannabis products? CannaMD‘s state-certified network of medical marijuana doctors are here to help! Contact CannaMD‘s experienced team at (855) 420-9170 today. You can also find out if you qualify for medical marijuana treatment with our quick online application!

Find Out If You Qualify

You may be eligible for medical marijuana!

To stay up-to-date with the latest studies and legal regulations surrounding medical marijuana treatment, be sure to follow CannaMD on Facebook and sign up for our newsletter, below!

Join 100k+ Subscribers!

Get updates on more posts like this!

Search
CONDITIONS
Categories
Related PostS
Feedback

Feedback from our readers is very important and helps us provide quality articles. Please don’t be shy, leave a comment.

If you have a topic you would like us to cover in our blog or you are interested in writing guest posts please contact us for more information.

FIND A DOCTOR
Get a medical marijuana certification in Florida