When you tell people that you can lose weight by smoking herb, they look at you strange. After all, weed is known for giving people the type of appetite that allows them to finish off an entire bag of Cheetos, or eat ten tacos from the drive thru. Recent studies have shown that people who use cannabis regularly have a waist size 1.5 inches smaller than people who do not. Kinda blows that stereotype out of the water, doesn’t it?

Stoners Are More Active

Cannabis use can cause changes in a person’s behavior, leading them to be more active according to a study full published in the Journal of Health Economics people who use cannabis feel like being mobile and engaging in physical activity. I know that after I smoke (depending on the strain) I feel more energetic, and I do things like cleaning my house, or going on walks and bike rides.

Stoners Drink Less

The same study found that people who use cannabis tend to drink less than their non-smoking counterparts. This was especially the case with young people. I know that when I’m smoking weed I’m less inclined to drink. Alcohol (beer in particular) has a lot of calories; a 12 ounce beer averages at 150 calories with the lighter beers, and the darker ales coming in at closer to 200 depending on the brand. This might not seem like a lot but, you have to consider that most people don’t stop at one.

Not All Strains Lead To Munchies

Contrary to popular belief not all strains of cannabis will give you the munchies. Strains that are high in tetrahydrocannabivarin or THCV can actually suppress appetite and can be used to fight obesity. THCV has the same psychoactive effects as THC, but it doesn’t last as long. It does give the user a high that has more in common with stimulants. THCV is also believed to regulate glucose levels and reduce insulin resistance, thus helping prevent diabetes.

You Can Detox With Cannabis

Juicing raw cannabis in order to detox is pretty popular in states like Colorado, where cannabis is legal, and people can buy large quantities often. You’re probably not going to catch me tossing my stash into a blender any time soon. Cannabis does have many of the same beneficial nutrients that other leafy green vegetables have, and the combination of cannabinoids and fatty acids work to fight inflammation and help improve cellular function. Of course, the plant has to be raw and uncured and it’s not going to get you high, but it will probably make you a lot healthier.

Weed Speeds Up Metabolism

A study published in the medical journal Obesity abstract showed that cannabis users tended to have a lower BMI (Body Mass Index) than non-users and were less likely to become obese. Part of the reason for this is that cannabis appears to help speed up metabolism. Study results showed that cannabis users metabolized carbohydrates more effectively than the non-users in the group.

Of course, this does not mean that you can polish off a bag of chips, and binge watch Netflix after smoking a bowl. A healthy diet and regular exercise is a must if you want to lose weight. If you’re one of those people who finds yourself reaching for cookies when you’ve got the munchies, then you should probably consider changing your diet. I used to eat a pound of gummies (you know, the type you get from the bulk aisle at the store) after smoking, and now I just eat fruit. If you do want to lose weight and you’re a stoner then you’re going to have an easier time losing the weight than other people, especially if you eat healthy and exercise regularly.

Featured Image Source: YoungFashioned.com

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Have you lost weight on the cannabis diet? Tell us in the comments!