Does pot prevent obesity? What new marijuana study says

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(CBS) 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. We were so surprised, we thought we had [made] a mistake."

For the study - published online in the August 24 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology - researchers analyzed data from two large population surveys of U.S. adults. The researchers found obesity rates in people who "just say no" were 22 percent and 25.3 percent in each survey, respectively. But study participants who puffed pot at least three times a week had obesity rates of 14.3 percent and 17.2. The study didn't actually prove smoking pot causes weight-loss.

"There could be many other reasons why pot smokers have less obesity," Andrea Giancoli, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, told MSNBC. "Maybe they're inclined to exercise more, be outdoors more, eat more fruits and vegetables. There could be all kinds of confounding factors that could make the results null and void."

Potheads might be more physically active? Seriously?

"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 Fox News. Another possibility, he said, is that certain compounds in cannabis might help people lose weight, and could serve as an area of future research.

Should folks trying to lose weight consider picking up a bong instead of a barbell?

"As an addiction psychiatrist, I see every day people struggling with cannabis dependence," Le Strat told Fox News. "I would not recommend smoking cannabis for any reason."

[becky0125]

the reason behind this seemed pretty obvious to me after I read this: people who smoke weed sleep more. Most people smoke after work, which relaxes you and you fall asleep way sooner. More sleep = healthier.

[ruby404]

All I am about to say is hypothetical:

My boyfriend and I smoke weed together several times a week as sort of a bonding and relaxation tool. We sit together at night and share a joint. Something about that really makes us feel closer together, and more able to relax and let our feelings out. I would equate it to having a couple glasses of wine after dinner. We are both contributing members of society. We both have degrees and are gainfully employed. If you were to see us on the street you would have no idea we are closet smokers. And yes, we are both thin. Although I will say I have done my most inspired cooking after smoking :)

I have recently started to realize that the more people talk about cannabis and have a dialogue about it, the more the truth comes out. I am glad most of the people on here are in support for it - it gives me hope that the prohibition will one day be raised, and I won't have to worry about being thrown in jail for choosing to indulge in a little green from time to time.

I found the following movie to be very enlightening. It's on Netflix instant watch if you're interested: The Union: The Business Behind Getting High

[amondo79]

All this shows is that the people who are doing research on pot are clueless. They thought that they would weigh more? They would be surprised if cannabis use is associated with a higher amount of physical activity? Sheesh! Snowboarding, cycling, running, skiing, weightlifting, dancing, skateboarding, surfing - there are too many physical activities enhanced by pot to count. These researchers are obviously Nixon-era throwbacks who envision all potheads sitting on the couch eating Doritos.

[DonDig]

The US government has had a patent on cannabinoids as a neuroprotectant since 2003. Quoting the patent, "This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and HIV dementia." Surely they speak the truth about this. Have a look at the patent. http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6630507.PN.&OS=PN/6630507&RS=PN/6630507Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO

Dave Triplett (and others) have found cannabis oil to cure melanoma as he shows in his short movie about his own experience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tghUh4ubbg

Cannabis has been proven to kill cancer cells in lab tests without harming the healthy cells present. http://www.gsalternative.com/2010/05/cannabinoids-kill-cancer/

Many people have seen similar results personally, including a number of stage 4 cancer sufferers given 'hemp oil' by Rick Simpson in Canada, who were cured by ingesting it. (Rick said there was about a 70% recovery rate in those stage 4 folks; the rest died as their prognosis forecast.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0psJhQHk_GI

I have started a We The People petition asking the government to reveal what it knows about cannabis that is beneficial, since it has thus far only been releasing detrimental information. You can view and sign the petition here: http://wh.gov/4y0

Thank you for your time.

[ddog88]

Please pass the THC-slimfast.

[activistcat]

I'll be the first to attest, yes, cannabis has much to do with weight and weight problems. The digestive system is loaded with endo-cannabinoid receptors. Without cannabis, I and many others I know tend to uncontrollably gain weight no matter how hard we try not to.

If the body is low on cannabinoids, just as with any other deficiency, the body does not function correctly since the endocannabinoid system regulates all other systems in the body. Misinformation has done much damage over the last 73 years as has the war on a plant and those who use it. Cannabis has continually been shown to be a remarkable anti-inflammatory which could be of great help to the 86 million people that suffer chronic pain. No one ever died from cannabis/marijuana though much suffering has taken place from the prohibition of it. It is time to end this travesty.

Lack of cannabinoids - can cause cancer, digestive ailments, migrains, fibromyalgia, just to name a few. We are now generations into cannabinoid deprivation and the health consequences are showing.

Only medicines containing body damaging chemicals should be illegal. only medicines that cause other health issues should be illegal. Medicines that kill people should be illegal.

The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health NOT the wealth of the pharmaceutical industry!

According to the FDA's website :
The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, products that emit radiation, and tobacco products.
The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.

[Dgunner]

I grow my own and have a tenth generation line that I made hybrid in 2001. Young devoloping minds do not need to be smoking. People who are retired chronic pain {ME COMBAT RELATED}. The amount of relief depends on the strength of the cannabis.If the pot is weak you are wasting lung capacity and time .I have not gained more weight than expected for my age and I do not sell pot to anyone.The stronger the class the better effect. Everyone who has drank alcohol and smoked knows alcohol intensifies the effect of alcohol and will cause the well trained walking drunk to fall stagger and drive even worse . I think this one of the biggest concerns for congressional people.I don't think I will see a National legality put in place in my lifetime. To find my patches you would have to track in the forest six miles in all directions.This year has been hard since i planted closer to my home because of expected drought and the tribal elders were right we are in long drought.I also think marijuana would be a great service to some nursing home residents it help as a aid in nutrition and as something to keep thier mind at ease.

[dgmeansit]

I'm a long time cannabis user; 40+ years now. I am very healthy since I exercise, try to eat healthy most of the time, and don't do any drugs (cannabis is not a drug by the way). After consuming cannabis I get very active. I like to take long walks, ride my bicycle, practice karate, do a few yoga stretches, etc. Everyone should know that cannabis is not what people like Le Strat seem to think it is. It does not necessarily make a user slow, stupid, or lazy - thinking it does is just ignorant and predjudiced.

[mcgad]

It depends on the person, like any other drug. I've known a lot of cannabis users who are lazy and out of it most of the time. They tend to be very heavy users and it has a bad effect on them. I know other people that use it quite a bit but not daily (as in, get up every morning and smoke) who are totally unaffected. But then I also know people who drink quite often and seem totally unaffected by that while other people are out of commission from habitual drinking.

[barbaram99]

I DO NOT SMOKE..I will not for health reasons--Ever heard of COPD..I don't have that but I know of people that do--my late father and long time roommate has it.From smoking..And grass is smoked. I don't want broncitis which I get when around others smoking. Noone is allowed to smoke in our place as it is banned by us..

[legalizemj]

Well, good for you. And you would continue doing this whether marijuana was legal or not. So the prohibition *isn't* preventing you from doing anything.

The prohibition's a waste of time and money that causes far more harm than good and makes our children LESS safe. Parents have to decide if they want drug dealers selling marijuana to kids or supermarkets selling marijuana to adults!

[chris1103]

grass can be vaporized so no smoke what else you got?

[Egads_No]

Marijuana use is proven to help break bad behaviors such as amphetamines, opiates, tobacco and alcohol. It is not surprising to see it can effect our unhealthy desires for food as well. While it is funny to talk about the munchies- its virtually non existent in daily users as their bodies have acclimated to their new metabolic levels.