A recent study conducted by the University of California, Irvine has revealed that exposure to low-dose THC, a key component of cannabis, during adolescence can have both positive and negative effects on weight management. On one hand, it disrupts energy balance and fat storage processes, resulting in a leaner body and reduced risk of obesity and diabetes in adulthood. On the other hand, this alteration impairs the ability to mobilize stored nutrients, which are crucial for brain and muscle activity. Moreover, it causes fat cells to produce abnormal amounts of muscle proteins, potentially influencing physical activity and cognitive functions such as attention.
Despite the common phenomenon of increased appetite, known as “the munchies,” individuals who regularly consume cannabis tend to have lower body weight and a decreased risk of diabetes compared to non-users. However, a recent study from the University of California, Irvine has shed light on this seemingly contradictory relationship, and unfortunately, the findings are not promising.
The study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, focused on adults who consume cannabis daily or almost daily, many of whom initiated use during their teenage years. The researchers discovered that cannabis can significantly disrupt the finely tuned processes responsible for energy storage during this crucial period of physical development. Consequently, the body becomes leaner and less susceptible to obesity, but at the same time, it becomes less capable of mobilizing the stored nutrients essential for brain and muscle activity.
These alterations are attributed to notable molecular changes that take place within the body’s adipose organ, commonly referred to as fat depots. After exposure to cannabis, these fat cells start producing proteins typically found only in muscle and the heart.
To investigate further, the researchers administered low daily doses of THC or a placebo to adolescent mice. Once the treatment was discontinued and the mice reached adulthood, a comprehensive assessment of their metabolism was conducted. The results were surprising.
The mice that had received THC treatment during adolescence, but were now drug-free, exhibited reduced fat mass and increased lean mass. They showed partial resistance to obesity and hyperglycemia, had higher-than-normal body temperature, but were unable to effectively mobilize fuel from fat stores. Interestingly, several of these characteristics align with those observed in frequent cannabis users.
In order to comprehend these findings, the researchers delved into the molecular changes induced by THC. Their discoveries were even more astonishing: while the fat cells of THC-treated mice appeared normal under a microscope, they produced large amounts of muscle proteins, which are typically absent in fat cells. Conversely, the muscles of these mice produced fewer of these proteins. The researchers concluded that the effort required to produce these “alien” proteins interferes with the healthy functioning of fat cells, impairing their ability to store and release nutrients. Consequently, this may impact not only physical activity but also mental processes, including attention, which rely on a steady supply of fuel to the brain.
Daniele Piomelli, PhD, the director for the UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis, the Louise Turner Arnold Chair in the Neurosciences, and professor in the UCI School of Medicine Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, remarked, “All too often, we think of cannabis solely as a psychoactive drug. However, its effects extend well beyond the brain. The main constituent, THC, mimics a group of chemical messengers called endocannabinoids, which regulate important functions throughout the body. Our results demonstrate that interfering with endocannabinoid signaling during adolescence disrupts the function of the adipose organ in a lasting manner, potentially leading to significant implications for physical and mental health.”
Reference: “Adolescent exposure to low-dose THC disrupts energy balance and adipose organ homeostasis in adulthood” by Lin Lin, Kwang-Mook Jung, Hye-Lim Lee, Johnny Le, Georgia Colleluori, Courtney Wood, Francesca Palese, Erica Squire, Jade Ramirez, Shiqi Su, Alexa Torrens, Yannick Fotio, Lingyi Tang, Clinton Yu, Qin Yang, Lan Huang, Nicholas DiPatrizio, Cholsoon Jang, Saverio Cinti, and Daniele Piomelli, 1 June 2023, Cell Metabolism. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.05.002.
The study received primary funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about THC exposure and its consequences
What were the findings of the University of California, Irvine study on cannabis and weight management?
The study found that adolescent exposure to low-dose THC, a component of cannabis, can disrupt energy balance and fat storage processes. This disruption leads to a leaner body and reduced risk of obesity and diabetes in adulthood. However, it also impairs the ability to mobilize stored nutrients needed for brain and muscle activity, potentially affecting physical and cognitive functions.
Do individuals who consume cannabis regularly have lower body weight?
Yes, individuals who regularly consume cannabis, despite experiencing increased appetite (commonly known as “the munchies”), tend to have lower body weight compared to non-users. This seems contradictory, but the study suggests that adolescent exposure to cannabis may cause lasting changes in the body’s energy storage processes, resulting in a leaner body composition.
What are the potential consequences of cannabis use on weight and health?
The consequences of cannabis use on weight and health can be both positive and negative. On the positive side, it may lead to a leaner body and reduced risk of obesity and diabetes. However, it also impairs the mobilization of stored nutrients, which are essential for brain and muscle activity. This could potentially affect physical activity and cognitive functions like attention.
How did the researchers conduct the study?
The researchers administered low daily doses of THC or a placebo to adolescent mice and then assessed their metabolism once they reached adulthood. They found that the mice treated with THC during adolescence had reduced fat mass, increased lean mass, and partial resistance to obesity and hyperglycemia. However, they were unable to effectively mobilize fuel from fat stores.
What are the implications of the study’s findings?
The study suggests that interfering with endocannabinoid signaling during adolescence, caused by THC exposure, can have long-lasting effects on the body’s adipose organ and energy storage processes. This could have significant implications for physical and mental health, impacting weight management, nutrient mobilization, and cognitive functions.
Who funded the study?
The study was primarily funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
More about THC exposure and its consequences
- University of California, Irvine study: University of California, Irvine
- Journal publication: Cell Metabolism
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: National Institute on Drug Abuse
3 comments
this research from uni of california irvine is mind-blowing! thc in weed can make u lose weight but also mess up ur body’s ability 2 get nutrients. so u might be skinny but ur brain might not work as well. scary stuff!
wow this study about cannabis and weight loss is rly interesting! who knew smoking weed could make u skinnier? but watch out cuz it can mess up ur brain and muscle activity too so it’s a tradeoff!
fascinating findings by these scientists. cannabis users hav lower weight n less risk of diabetes? thc changes fat cells into muscle cells? mind-boggling. i wonder how this will affect future research on marijuana’s impact on health.