obesity Archives - TheJointBlog

Study: Medical Cannabis Laws Associated with Reduced Obesity-Related Medical Costs

December 6, 2015December 4, 2015

The enactment of laws allowing the medical use of cannabis is associated with a decreased probability of obesity among the population, resulting in a $58 to $115 per-person annual decrease in obesity-related medical costs, according to a study published in the journal Health Economics.

“This study is the first to examine the effects of medical marijuana laws (MMLs) on body weight, physical wellness, and exercise”, researchers state. Using data from the 1990 to 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and a difference-in-difference approach, it was found that “the enforcement of MMLs is associated with a 2% to 6% decline in the probability of obesity.”

Study: Cannabis Users Less Likely To Be Obese, Possess Lower Diabetes Risk

August 13, 2015

By Paul Armentano, NORML

A history of cannabis use is associated with a lower likelihood of obesity and diabetes, according to population-based data published in the journal Obesity.

Investigators from the Conference of Quebec University Health Centers assessed cannabis use patterns and body mass index (BMI) in a cohort of 786 Inuit (Arctic aboriginal) adults ages 18 to 74. Researchers reported that subjects who consumed cannabis in the past year were more likely to possess a lower BMI, lower fasting insulin, and lower HOMA-IR (insulin resistance) as compared to those who did not use the substance.

New Study Finds Cannabis Use Associated With Lower Body Mass Index, Lower Insulin Resistance

March 21, 2015February 16, 2015

A new study published in the journal Obesity, and published online by the National Institute of Health, has found that cannabis use is associated with a lower body mass index (BMI), which results in lower insulin resistance.

For the study, researchers set out to “ascertain the relationship between cannabis use, obesity, and insulin resistance” by analyzing “786 Inuit adults from the Nunavik Inuit Health Survey”. Information on cannabis use was obtained “from a self-completed, confidential questionnaire”, and “fasting blood glucose and insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) served as surrogate markers of insulin resistance.” In addition, analysis of “covariance and multivariate logistic regression ascertained relationships between cannabis use and outcomes.”

Study: Cannabis May Reduce Body Weight, Improve Insulin Sensitivity

November 4, 2014

A new study published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology has found that cannabis may provide a treatment option for obesity by reducing body weight and improving insulin sensitivity.

“Cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor antagonists [such as cannabis] reduce body weight and improve insulin sensitivity”, according to the study. “Preclinical data indicates that an acute dose of CB1 antagonist rimonabant causes an increase in blood glucose. Exendin-4 [another CB1 antagonist] improves glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreas, and reduces appetite through activation of GLP-1 receptors in the central nervous system and liver.”

New Study Finds Cannabinoid Receptor Activation May Treat Obesity

November 23, 2013November 18, 2013

A new study published by the National Institute of Health has found that activation of the body’s cannabinoid receptors – something which cannabis does naturally – has the potential to help manage weight, including the potential to treat obesity.

According to the study, “Apart from its significant weight-loss efficacy in DIO mice, compound 4 [a cannabinoid receptor agonist] displays also clean 163 off-target profiles and is currently under development for treating obesity and the related metabolic syndrome.”