Does CBD Make You Hungry? Relationship Between CBD and Appetite

Different forms of CBD including CBD gummies, CBD oil, CBD syrups, capsules, and so forth are some popular options. As CBD compound is associated with cannabis, people sometimes confuse its effects with marijuana/ recreational cannabis. 
 
As a result, a plethora of CBD users might feel the urge to know: Does CBD make you hungry or give you “munchies” just like marijuana? 
To understand this, you should know that CBD and weed/marijuana/ recreational cannabis (whatever you love to call it) aren’t the same thing. So, the effects aren’t the same either. 
Simply put, CBD doesn’t make you feel hungry or increase your appetite. However, there are several more aspects you should be aware of, as there are some "ifs" and "buts" regarding this. 

Let’s start with some basics. 

CBD’s Effects on Endocannabinoid System

To understand properly whether CBD makes you feel hungry or not, you should know how it works. 
 
CBD (cannabidiol) works in our body by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). ECS is a complex cell-signaling system. 
 
It has three components:  

1. Cannabinoid Receptors (CB1, CB2) 
2. Endocannabinoids 
3. Metabolic Enzymes  

The ECS plays a pivotal role in regulating various functions including sleep, mood, pain, metabolism, and appetite. 
 
When it comes to appetite, cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) in the ECS, mainly found in the brain, plays a significant role. In short, this indicates that, as CBD does interact with these receptors, it has something to do with your appetite or hunger.

CBD and THC: How Do They Affect Your Appetite?

As you already know CBD and marijuana aren’t the same, they both have different purposes, effects, and compounds. CBD is mainly enriched with phytocannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and a tiny amount of THC (0.3 percent). Marijuana, on the other hand, contains high amounts of THC. 
 
THC is the major psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. If you consume it in high concentration, you’ll mostly feel “high”, “euphoria”, “munchies” or “binge-eating”. 
 
That’s why, knowing the difference between CBD and THC is highly important to understand their effects on your appetite. 
 
Note that CBD doesn’t strongly bind to CB1 receptors like THC. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) can activate CB1 receptors in the brain and increase hunger by boosting the ghrelin hormone (Hunger Hormone) in the gastrointestinal tract.    
 
THC affects areas controlling appetite and enhances the sense of taste, and smell, commonly known as “munchies”.  
 
CBD, on the other hand, acts as an antagonist by suppressing appetite. Besides, it promotes homeostasis (a balance between body and mind). Plus, it may make you want to eat but doesn’t induce intense hunger like THC. 

Does CBD Make You Hungry?

As we’ve already said, CBD doesn’t make you feel hungry. Instead, it can have a subtle influence on appetite by promoting balance in your body’s endocannabinoid system. 
 
However, if you consume a full-spectrum CBD oil or other form of CBD that contains 0.3% THC or higher, you might feel “munchies” or an urge to eat to some extent.  
 
Still, It's better not to expect this trace amount of THC will install any sudden strong desire to eat food. Besides, there are other CBD types such as broad-spectrum and CBD Isolate which lack THC compounds. 
 
So, consuming these types of CBD oil will certainly not increase your appetite. If you need to be aware of the “overeating issue”, make sure to know about Full-Spectrum Vs Broad Spectrum CBD. 
 
In contrast to inducing “increased appetite”, there is some evidence that says differently about “CBD’s effects on appetite”. 
 
For instance, a 2022 research published in PubMed found that cannabidiol can reduce appetite or body weight. 

Can CBD Help Boost Your Appetite?

As you’ve already learned the answer to “Does CBD make you hungry?”, you might have been thinking of knowing more about CBD and appetite. 
 
Though the relationship between CBD and appetite is quite complex, more research needs to be done by scientists in this field to extend the resources. 
 
But so far, most of the research indicates that CBD can help boost your appetite by various mechanisms. Plus, it suggests CBD can support a healthy appetite which may eventually help lose weight by burning bad fats into good fats. 
 
Besides, CBD is known as an appetite suppressant. There are several ways CBD may suppress or influence your appetite. 

• Stress Response  
• Stomach Discomfort 
• Hypothalamus Sensitivity 
• Mitochondrial Function 
• THC Content 

Stress Response

CBD has the ability to enhance your mood by relieving the stress. This may affect your appetite as well. CBD (cannabidiol) increases GABA in the brain, a neurotransmitter that helps manage stress. Overall stress management can lead to a healthier and more regular appetite. 

Stomach Discomfort

Another way CBD might influence your appetite is by reducing stomach discomfort symptoms including nausea. If you have the urge to vomit, it can cause a loss of appetite. Though CBD doesn’t directly induce the urge to eat, it can help reduce nausea, and stimulate regular appetite. 
In essence, taking CBD can make it easier to enjoy food and maintain a healthy appetite. 

Hypothalamus Sensitivity

The hypothalamus is part of your brain involved in regulating heart rate, body temperature, hunger, and sleep-wake-cycle. CBD can improve the sensitivity of the hypothalamus and influence hunger and satiety. This improvement can help you regulate unnecessary cravings and curb overeating. 

Mitochondrial Function

CBD targets mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouse, and improves its efficiency in converting fat and sugar into energy. This efficiency can eventually help you to reduce cravings for additional energy sources. 

THC Content

Full-spectrum CBD oil with up to 0.3% THC shouldn’t induce the “munchies” or intoxicating effects. However, as CBD affects everyone differently, individual responses may vary, and some users, particularly those new to CBD or consuming high doses, might report increased cravings. 

How to Incorporate CBD to Achieve A Balanced Appetite?

There are several aspects to consider if you're new to CBD and wish to use it to keep a balanced and healthy appetite. 
 
Here's what you need to keep in mind:  

• Choose the Right Product: Get CBD products that suit your preference – such as CBD oil, capsules, syrups, or gummies. In addition, make sure it is from trustworthy and reputable sources that provide a certificate of analysis (COA) or information on CBD content and sourcing. 
• Determine Recommended Dosage: Always start with a low dosage and gradually increase to find the right balance. As there is no “standardized CBD dosage”, experimenting with dosage is the best practice to figure out your recommended dosage. 
   
• Combine with Healthy Lifestyle: When you’re taking CBD, make sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet, and regular exercise. The synergy between CBD, nutrition, and physical activity can boost your health and well-being. 
   
• Observe How Your Body Responds: Always pay attention to how your body responds to CBD in terms of mood, appetite, and stress. If you’re feeling positive and uplifted, know that you’re on the right track. 
   

Consult with A Health Care Professional: If there are any doubts, or if you’ve any underlying disease, or are on medication, seek guidance from a healthcare professional. Besides, according to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), if you’re pregnant or a nursing mother, you should avoid using CBD products in any form.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some relevant questions and answers related to this question “Does CBD make you hungry?”.  

Can CBD Cause Any Side Effects?

CBD can cause very mild and temporary side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, and diarrhea. Note that CBD is considered safe to consume according to the World Health Organization (WHO).  

Does CBD Act as an Appetite Stimulant?

No, CBD generally doesn’t act as an appetite stimulant. However, it may subtly influence appetite in a balanced manner. Note that CBD’s impact on the endocannabinoid system can increase or decrease appetite based on your body’s needs.  

Does CBD Release Dopamine?

CBD assumably raises the level of anandamide (AEA), a bliss molecule, which is involved in the regulation of dopamine, and serotonin. So, in a way, CBD may indirectly help to release dopamine.  

Can CBD Help with Weight Loss By Reducing Appetite?

There is not enough substantial evidence that surely says CBD can help with weight loss. However, CBD is known as an appetite suppressant in some cases that may indirectly help with weight loss. Nevertheless, CBD shouldn’t be the alternative to a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise for reducing body weight or treating obesity. 

How does CBD Interact with The Central Nervous System?

CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), and cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) in the endocannabinoid system. This system plays a vital role in regulating the immune system, nervous system, and the digestive system. 
 
The Bottom Line
 
Hope you’ve got the answer to “Does CBD make you hungry”. To recapitulate, CBD doesn’t make you feel hungry. Instead, CBD can help balance appetite depending on your body’s needs. Besides, it can act as both an appetite suppressant and an appetite stimulant in some circumstances. 
 
On the other hand, THC, a psychoactive compound found in the cannabis sativa plant, can induce intense hunger. As a result, it’s always better to avoid THC if you don’t desire to experience any “munchies” or “high” feelings. 
 
A Last Thing to Remember: always choose a high-quality CBD product from a trustworthy store that offers a third-party lab certificate, and consume CBD at the recommended dosage. 
 
References: 

Noel. (2023, April 13). CBD & the Endocannabinoid System | Project CBD. Project CBD. https://projectcbd.org/science/cbd-the-endocannabinoid-system/ 

Riggs, P. K., Vaida, F., Rossi, S. S., Sorkin, L. S., Gouaux, B., Grant, I., & Ellis, R. J. (2012). A pilot study of the effects of cannabis on appetite hormones in HIV-infected adult men. Brain Research, 1431, 46–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2011.11.001 

Pinto, J. S., & Martel, F. (2022). Effects of cannabidiol on appetite and body weight: a systematic review. Clinical Drug Investigation, 42(11), 909–919. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-022-01205-y 

Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Loss of appetite. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24228-loss-of-appetite