Best CBD Oil for Weight Loss in 2022

Pros

• Six times more terpenes than similar CBD products.

• Biodynamic cultivation, a step beyond organic agriculture.

• Free joint and muscle rub.

Cons

Who Is Vital Plan Best For?

Vital Plan may be best for you if you want an emphasis on full-spectrum CBD to not only turn white fat cells into energy-consuming brown fat, but also calm issues such as inflammation and anxiety (which have their own effects on body weight).

Full-spectrum CBD uses the entourage effect, a phenomenon where the terpenes and cannabinoids in hemp have more benefits together than alone [3].

Who Should Avoid Vital Plan?

People who need regular drug tests for work should avoid Vital Plan, like other brands containing some THC.

Potential Side Effects

Summary

Vital Plan contains a higher level of terpenes, which act on the endocannabinoid system in different ways, or have complementary effects. However, the exact terpenes are not disclosed.

>> Check the best price for Vital Plan

6. Medterra CBD Oil – Best CBD Isolate

Pros

• Offers CBD isolates, delivering maximum potency.

• The isolate does not contain the whole hemp or cannabis plant, so you can avoid the sedative effects of CBN and THC.

• Ultra Broad Spectrum blend delivers CBD, CBC, CBG, CBN, CBDV, and natural terpenes.

Cons

Who Is Medterra CBD Oil Best For?

Medterra pure CBD oil suits those who want the benefits of CBD, such as potentially reducing white fat cells and controlling appetite, but without the sedative effects of CBN or THC. If you need to undergo regular drug tests, you’re also safe.

Who Should Avoid Medterra CBD Oil?

The appetite-suppressant effects of CBD are unopposed with isolates, so if it’s only metabolic factors that caused your weight gain (instead of eating too much), Medterra’s isolates may not suit you.

Potential Side Effects

Summary

Medterra offers high-quality CBD isolates that avoid the risk of a positive drug test, or the extra sedative properties of other cannabinoids.

>> Check the best price for Medterra

7. Lazarus Naturals – Best to Improve Sleep

Pros

• Includes sleep tincture containing cannabigerol (CBG) and CBN, both standardized to 10mg per dose, in organic MCT oil.

• Value for money at $24 for one 15ml bottle, an average of 3 cents per mg of CBD.

• Assistance program for veterans, low-income customers, and those with a long-term disability. This can give you a discount of 60%.

Cons

Who Is Lazarus Naturals Best For?

Lazarus Naturals is best for those who struggle with weight gain from stress and eating too many snacks at night. Its sleep CBD oil is formulated to contain a high dose of the sedative CBN, at 10mg per serving.

Who Should Avoid Lazarus Naturals?

As stated on the label, you may have to skip Lazarus Naturals if you have been advised to avoid grapefruit or have a tree nut allergy.

Potential Side Effects

Summary

Lazarus Naturals includes tinctures specifically formulated to improve sleep and stress, preventing the need for stress-eating or midnight snacks.

>> Check the best price for Lazarus Naturals

8. Charlotte’s Web – Best CBD Oil for Beginners

Pros

• Dosage options ranging from 7mg to 60mg of CBD per ml.

• Muscle relaxant terpene profile.

• Certified Organic and US Hemp Authority Certified, guaranteeing some of the highest standards of quality and transparency.

Cons

Who Is Charlotte’s Web Best For?

If you want the fat-burning benefits of hemp, but are concerned about how CBD affects you (perhaps your first dose left you feeling too sleepy), the famous Charlotte’s Web comes in lower potencies for beginners and sensitive customers.

There is a THC-free option, as well as dosage options beginning from just 7mg per serving, with the highest being 60mg of CBD per dose.

The anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant effects of myrcene also make it suitable for post-workout recovery [3].

Who Should Avoid Charlotte’s Web?

Charlotte’s Web is particularly high in myrcene, a sedative and muscle relaxant terpene. Caution is advised if you take other sedative or relaxant medications or supplements.

Potential Side Effects

Summary

Charlotte’s Web includes options for the most inexperienced when it comes to CBD use, and provides a nice muscle relaxant effect.

>> Check the best price for Charlotte’s Web

9. Fab CBD – Best for THC:CBD Ratio

Pros

• High beta-caryophyllene.

• Minuscule amount of THC, well below the 0.3% limit.

• Freshly made, with a 12-month shelf life.

Cons

Who Is Fab CBD Best For?

Fab CBD is ideal if you want an emphasis on increasing the proportion of brown fat cells. Besides CBD, it is high in beta-caryophyllene, which acts on the CB2 receptors. This is the mechanism that CBD works through to promote fat browning [1] [3].

Who Should Avoid Fab CBD?

You may still need to avoid Fab CBD if you are required to take drug tests.

Potential Side Effects

Summary

Fab CBD is a full-spectrum extract that only contains a slight dose of THC, but a higher amount of beta-caryophyllene.

CBD Weight Loss: Fact or Fad?

Currently, there are no FDA-approved CBD products to assist in weight management, despite their popularity in the health and wellness industry. However, some CBD oils may be effective weight loss supplements thanks to several key characteristics.

Stimulation of the Endocannabinoid System

The health benefits of CBD come from its ability to stimulate our endocannabinoid receptors, produced because the human body generates its own cannabinoids. While CB1 receptors are mostly concentrated in the nervous system, CB2 receptors are found in a number of other tissues.

Research suggests that stimulating the CB2 receptors can reduce body fat accumulation and inhibit inflammation triggered by body fat. Cannabidiol promotes “browning” of fat too. Brown fat helps to prevent obesity, as it consumes energy, unlike the inactive “white” fat. More brown fat means you will be burning calories at a higher rate [1].

Appetite Suppression

Not all cannabinoids bring on the infamous “munchies,” a common side effect of marijuana that turns many people struggling with weight away from hemp oil. In fact, CBD may reduce appetite.

Relevant animal studies on several cannabinoids demonstrated that CBD could reduce food intake in rats, something that could translate to humans. While it didn’t delay the rat feeding patterns, CBD decreased their total food intake. You may therefore find yourself eating smaller, but not fewer, meals [4].

Improved Metabolism

Another way CBD could aid weight loss is by helping to boost metabolism. Almost all of your body’s energy is generated in the mitochondria, “the powerhouse of the cell.” Unfortunately, they are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress and decline in numbers with age. This may be one reason why losing weight gets harder as we age.

Laboratory research shows that CBD could protect your mitochondria, allowing them to continue burning energy. When brain cells—the most energy-demanding cell type in the body—were exposed to mitochondrial toxins, CBD was able to help them weather the storm. Higher doses were more effective, as was exposure over longer periods [5].

Better Exercise Performance

Another common roadblock that can thwart our need to burn calories more than we consume them is poor exercise performance, including slow recovery after a workout.

Heavy exercise leads to microscopic tissue damage in the muscles, but under healthy circumstances, our bodies are easily able to repair this and come back stronger than before. However, with age and other inflammatory conditions, this ability is impaired. Recovery slows, and we don’t benefit as much from exercise.

Fortunately, research suggests that CBD could help improve our capacity to recover from exercise, leading to better performance in the long term. By reducing cortisol and inflammation, CBD may prevent excessive damage to the muscle tissue and allow it to recover faster.

Its pain-relieving properties could help us to go further during workouts too [6]. However, it’s important to remember this may mask injuries, so don’t use CBD to overdo exercise.

Insulin Regulation

Type II diabetes is not only a consequence of diabetes, but also makes it more difficult to lose weight. Thankfully, CBD and other cannabinoids have favorable metabolic modulation properties that may even reduce your risk of developing the disease.

Research involving cannabis smokers suggests that even marijuana strains can help with weight loss, even though they often increase appetite. Cannabis smokers had lower levels of insulin resistance, more “good” cholesterol, and a lower average waist circumference. Additionally, the large NHANES population study found a reduced risk of diabetes [7].

Improved Sleep Helps Weight Loss

Poor sleep not only leaves us feeling foggy and tired, but can also lead to negative metabolic health effects even when we’re trying to lose weight with diet and exercise.

In a clinical study of 10 overweight adults on a moderately restrictive diet, the participants either slept for 5.5 or 8.5 hours per night. Those only sleeping 5.5 hours lost 0.6 kilograms of body fat and 2.4 kilograms of fat-free mass. Participants sleeping for 8.5 hours each night lost 1.4 kilograms of fat and 1.5 kilograms of fat-free weight.

Despite all volunteers losing weight, the efforts of the sleep-deprived group may backfire in the long term. Fat-free mass typically includes muscle, and losing muscle instead of fat can impair your exercise performance, reduce your ability to continue losing body fat, and raise your risk of poor fitness and frailty later on [8].

CBD may help you achieve both a healthy weight and body composition by improving sleep. Just 25mg of CBD was successful in improving sleep among two-thirds of the patients in one study, partly through its ability to reduce anxiety. However, the improvement in sleep fluctuated over time.

As the improvements in anxiety were much stronger, CBD could be right for you if you’re kept awake at night from stress and anxiety [9].

Choosing the Best CBD for Weight Loss

The best CBD oil depends on your individual needs. They may include whether chronic pain is keeping you from regular exercise, you are eating too much, or you are not burning calories enough because of a slow metabolism. However, there are several common factors that affect the quality and potential efficacy of CBD oils for everyone.

Third-Party Testing

Nonprescription CBD products aren’t approved by the government, so we must seek quality validation through other means. Search for whether or not the product has a COA from a third-party testing lab, including the exact quantities of CBD and THC. You can also look for other cannabinoids and terpenes found in hemp, as well as contaminants.

Transparent Sourcing

Your chosen brand of CBD oil should disclose where their hemp is grown and how they produce their products. This reveals ethical practices in farming, alongside a general overview of the soil nutrient content and level of pollution.

Low THC Content

Hemp-derived CBD products are permitted to contain up to 0.3% THC, as it is near impossible to completely breed out the gene. Any THC content higher than this re-classifies the strain as cannabis, and puts you at a higher risk for unwanted side effects such as increased appetite.

Low (Or No) Contaminants

The soil your CBD oil was cultivated in may contain contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals, or the raw materials could have grown mold during storage. Comprehensive third-party testing reveals the levels of each contaminant. If you cannot find a product with zero contaminants, aim for levels below the safe thresholds and below industry average.

Consumer Trust and Reputation

It’s also essential to gauge the general level of customer trust in each CBD brand you consider. Online reviews and whether the brand is independent must be considered, along with whether someone you know personally (and isn’t being paid to promote the product) has tried it.

Any FDA warning letters that have been issued are another key consideration. These can be issued for reasons including adulteration with unsafe or unapproved products, unapproved therapeutic claims, or problems with the ingredient supply chains that may affect safety or efficacy. Avoid products with warning letters for unsafe or undisclosed ingredients.

Is CBD Oil for Weight Loss Legal?

CBD oil containing less than 0.3% THC is now legal on the federal level, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill that removed industrial hemp from the definition of “marijuana.” As the “marijuana” strains, which do contain over 0.3% THC, are still covered by the Controlled Substances Act, they are illegal on the federal level.

However, state laws vary, so if you take full-spectrum CBD oil with a higher THC content, caution is advised when traveling interstate. It is also important to remember that not all non-prescription CBD products are accurately labeled, as none are FDA-approved.

CBD for Weight Loss: The Limitations

CBD oil, like other weight management supplements, should not be relied on as the only solution to your weight issues. It acts as an aid, to help you lose weight by reducing food intake and improving physical fitness. CBD is not a substitute for a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

THC Is Linked to Increased Appetite

Besides the patchwork of legality, it’s important to avoid high concentrations of THC because it can increase food cravings. As a result, you may gain weight instead of losing it.

Studies show that THC boosts appetite through its effect on the CB1 receptors. Stimulating CB1 receptors makes food appear more desirable, leading to increased food intake and a shorter length of time between meals. This is more likely to affect your desire for junk foods, which provide little more than pleasure and calories [10].

Poor Labeling

Many hemp-derived CBD products have inaccurate labeling, which can mean your oil is less effective than you think, or carry a higher risk of side effects. In a study of 84 commercial CBD products, only 45% of the oils had accurate measurements of CBD. This was higher than tinctures and vaping liquid, which had accuracy rates of 25% and 12.5% respectively.

Many CBD oils had higher than advertised levels of THC too. Not only did 21% have measurable quantities of THC, but these were often high enough to make children intoxicated [11]. If you are taking higher doses of THC, this can override the appetite-suppressant effects of CBD and lead to food cravings.

Side Effects of CBD

It is a common misconception that CBD oil has no side effects. However, CBD and other natural supplements can interact with prescription drugs or have negative effects of their own.

CBD may increase the effects of sedative medications and supplements, and may affect how well a number of prescription medications are cleared from the body. These include the antiseizure medication Tegretol, the immune-suppressing Sirolimus, and Tamoxifen.

Particular caution must be given to the risk of CBD use adding to the effect of sedatives. Some, such as opioids, slow breathing, but both these and CBD are used to reduce chronic pain. Speak to your doctor if you are currently taking opioids. Other side effects may include anemia, impaired kidney function, and allergic reactions.

CBD Not Good for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common indication for medical marijuana. THC can reduce the raised intraocular (inside the eye) pressure that characterizes the disease, but CBD has the opposite effect. A study on rats found that, while THC relieved pressure inside the eye by 30%, CBD increased it by 18% for more than four hours afterward [12].

If you are at a high risk of developing glaucoma or have the illness already, CBD may not be right for you. Unfortunately, obesity increases the average pressure inside the eye, which may put you at a greater risk of glaucoma.

One mechanism behind this may be increased oxidative stress, leading to an impaired ability to regulate pressure. The antioxidant benefits of CBD may be protective, but it is likely better to avoid CBD oil if you have glaucoma [13].

CBD May Increase Appetite in Some People

Everyone is different, so some supplements may have the opposite intended effect. CBD oil is no different, as studies show that it can suppress appetite in some people while increasing it in others.

Clinical studies on CBD treatment reveal increased appetite as a potential side effect for some people. For example, a survey on the experiences of families giving CBD oils to epileptic children found that 30% had a larger appetite. These findings may be relevant to customers looking for a way to burn fat faster, or may only be seen in very sick children [14].

However, some research shows that CBD is more likely to reduce appetite. Others still have found mixed effects of CBD oils on the desire to eat, with another study on epilepsy finding that 12 patients gained weight and 10 lost weight [15]. You may need to try CBD products out to determine whether or not it acts as an appetite suppressant for you.

Best CBD Gummies for Weight Loss

When choosing a CBD gummy, you want that therapeutic dose of CBD and that feel-good kick of childhood candy, but without artificial ingredients. As a result, we have chosen Spruce as the best CBD gummy for weight loss. It is made of organic ingredients, and contains both 25mg of CBD and a high level of the relaxing pinene.

The Best CBD Strain for Weight Loss

CBD products are divided into full-spectrum CBD, CBD isolates, and broad-spectrum CBD. Which is best for weight loss, and what brands are our favorites?

Full Spectrum CBD for Weight Loss

Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytochemicals, including THC up to the legal limit. While this makes the most out of the entourage effect, maximizing anti-inflammatory and brown fat-stimulating power, THC may increase appetite.

Containing only the extract of hemp flowers, we rate Cornbread Hemp as our top full-spectrum oil.

CBD Isolate for Weight Loss

CBD isolates offer unopposed appetite-suppressing, metabolism-boosting benefits. As THC and cannabidiol exert opposing effects when it comes to appetite, and sometimes energy, you may benefit most from isolates. You also do not have to worry about failing a drug test.

Our top CBD Isolate is Spruce, with 99.6% pure CBD.

Broad Spectrum CBD for Weight Loss

A broad-spectrum CBD oil is packed with several, most, or all phytochemicals in hemp, except for THC. Some selections of phytochemicals can optimize anti-inflammatory effects, but this may leave out others with more effect on sleep or conversion of white fat cells to brown fat.

Once again, NuLeaf takes the top place, as its broad-spectrum option contains everything but THC.

How To Use CBD for Weight Loss

It’s best to take CBD oil every day if your goal is to lose weight. As its benefits in reducing inflammation, protecting the mitochondria, and suppressing excess appetite are most useful during the day, we recommend taking your first dose of CBD oil in the morning if you are (or want to be) physically active, and overeat in the daytime.

CBD is also more readily absorbed when taken with food, so take each dose with meals or snacks to maximize its potential ability to burn fat. If trouble sleeping is keeping you stressed and reaching for midnight snacks, a dose at night may be best. Some brands, such as Cornbread Hemp, have both day and night formulations available.

Best Dosage of CBD for Weight Loss

The optimal dose of CBD to help you lose weight may vary from anywhere between 25mg to 200mg. Lower doses can protect you from unwanted body weight gain, while higher doses could help to restore your mitochondria and increase brown fat cells. If you haven’t taken CBD before, most brands recommend that you begin with a lower dose.

Best CBD for Weight Loss: The Verdict

Overall, Cornbread Hemp is our number one choice, as the use of hemp flowers only increases the concentration of beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes.

When searching for the best CBD oil for weight loss, a broad- or full-spectrum dose of cannabinoids is essential. This optimizes the range of benefits you can receive, such as increased conversion of white fat cells to brown fat, improved energy production, and less inflammation.

References:

1. Rossi, Francesca et al. “Cannabinoid Receptor 2 as Antiobesity Target: Inflammation, Fat Storage, and Browning Modulation.” The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism vol. 101,9 (2016): 3469-78. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4381

2. Weston-Green, Katrina et al. “A Review of the Potential Use of Pinene and Linalool as Terpene-Based Medicines for Brain Health: Discovering Novel Therapeutics in the Flavours and Fragrances of Cannabis.” Frontiers in psychiatry vol. 12 583211. 26 Aug. 2021, doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.583211

3. Russo, Ethan B. “Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects.” British journal of pharmacology vol. 163,7 (2011): 1344-64. doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x

4. Farrimond, Jonathan A et al. “Cannabinol and cannabidiol exert opposing effects on rat feeding patterns.” Psychopharmacology vol. 223,1 (2012): 117-29. doi:10.1007/s00213-012-2697-x

5. Ryan, Duncan et al. “Cannabidiol targets mitochondria to regulate intracellular Ca2+ levels.” The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience vol. 29,7 (2009): 2053-63. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4212-08.2009

6. Rojas-Valverde, Daniel. “Potential Role of Cannabidiol on Sports Recovery: A Narrative Review.” Frontiers in physiology vol. 12 722550. 3 Aug. 2021, doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.722550

7. Penner, Elizabeth A et al. “The impact of marijuana use on glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance among US adults.” The American journal of medicine vol. 126,7 (2013): 583-9. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.03.002

8. Nedeltcheva, Arlet V et al. “Insufficient sleep undermines dietary efforts to reduce adiposity.” Annals of internal medicine vol. 153,7 (2010): 435-41. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-153-7-201010050-00006

9. Shannon, Scott et al. “Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series.” The Permanente journal vol. 23 (2019): 18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041

10. Kirkham, Tim C. “Cannabinoids and appetite: food craving and food pleasure.” International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) vol. 21,2 (2009): 163-71. doi:10.1080/09540260902782810

11. Freedman, Daniel A, and Anup D Patel. “Inadequate Regulation Contributes to Mislabeled Online Cannabidiol Products.” Pediatric neurology briefs vol. 32 3. 18 Jun. 2018, doi:10.15844/pedneurbriefs-32-3

12. Miller, Sally et al. “?9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol Differentially Regulate Intraocular Pressure.” Investigative ophthalmology & visual science vol. 59,15 (2018): 5904-5911. doi:10.1167/iovs.18-24838

13. Cheung, Ning, and Tien Y Wong. “Obesity and eye diseases.” Survey of ophthalmology vol. 52,2 (2007): 180-95. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2006.12.003

14. Hussain, Shaun A et al. “Perceived efficacy of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis extracts for treatment of pediatric epilepsy: A potential role for infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.” Epilepsy & behavior : E&B vol. 47 (2015): 138-41. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.04.009

15. Iffland, Kerstin, and Franjo Grotenhermen. “An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies.” Cannabis and cannabinoid research vol. 2,1 139-154. 1 Jun. 2017, doi:10.1089/can.2016.0034

Kire Stojkovski is a practicing medical doctor whose work has been published in some of the most respected medical journals.

Daniel Boyer is a practicing Doctor of medicine with a passion for medical research. He specializes in molecular biology, histology, and pharmacology.