As the medical marijuana industry continues to grow, so does interest in its potential health benefits. Some of these benefits of Medical Marijuana include improving appetite in patients suffering from various conditions, such as cancer, AIDS, and chronic pain.
This blog will try to answer the question of whether or not medical marijuana can help improve appetite in patients. It will also look into the research behind how cannabis affects appetite and recommend a dosage for medical marijuana that is claimed to help make people hungry. So let’s get started:
Can Medical Marijuana Help Improve One’s Appetite?
Medical marijuana is a growing trend, especially for people seeking relief from chronic pain or problems with their appetite. There are currently limited studies on the effects of cannabis on appetites, but this is something that researchers are currently investigating.
However, we believe it does have an effect on one’s appetite. According to a study by the Department of Biological Chemistry, UCLA, marijuana has appetite-enhancing effects. Although Dronabinol, the oral form of medical marijuana, was approved for stimulating appetite, researchers in this study believe smoking marijuana might be more effective in appetitive improvement.
Researchers believe that endocannabinoids play a vital role in appetite stimulation in the Leptin pathways. Leptin is the main signal that helps the hypothalamus sense the body’s nutritional state and food intake.
Furthermore, another study done in 2018 reveals that the use of cannabis in rats activated their ‘hunger mode’ by triggering their hunger hormones. It showed that when mice who had already eaten were exposed to cannabis vapor, they again nibbled on food. They concluded that in addition to having a link between cannabis and Leptin, marijuana increases ghrelin, a hormone in the belly that tells the brain that the stomach is empty.
If you’re already using medical cannabis, know that there are a few ways to use it for increasing your appetite. You can consume it orally, vaporize it, or use it topically. No matter how you go about using it, talk to your doctor first. They will provide you with proper guidance on the safest and most effective way to use marijuana with the best-suited dosage for your condition.
How Does Cannabis Help Patients By Increasing Appetite?
Cannabis is known to have a variety of medical benefits, one of which is increasing appetite in patients with AIDS and cancer. In some cases, it may help improve symptoms such as pain and nausea, which can be debilitating for patients.
Furthermore, cannabis has been shown to improve appetite by relaxing the gastrointestinal muscles and improving digestion. Overall, cannabis can play an important role in improving a patient’s quality of life by increasing their desire to eat food. Let’s see how it helps improve appetite in different health conditions:
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, nausea is the most frequent side effect, which can cause a lack of appetite. In these conditions, marijuana doctors might consider using cannabis to help with nausea and stimulate appetite.
- Cold and Flu: The immune system can become weak when it’s fighting a virus. As a result, people lose their appetite. The use of medical marijuana can help restore the appetite so they can become strong again.
- Anxiety & Depression: Both of these conditions exhibit neurochemical reactions suppressing the appetite. Medical cannabis can kill two birds with one stone by reducing anxiety and depression and also increasing appetite.
- Hepatitis: Liver problems often cause nausea, abdominal discomfort, and lack of the desire to eat. Cannabis can help patients develop a hunger and get stronger to fight off the disease.
- Thyroid Problems: Problems like hyperthyroidism can hinder your metabolism, and as a result, you may lose your appetite. Cannabis can help here as well.
- Cancer: Cannabis is used nowadays as a useful treatment for cancer patients who have lost their appetite. It can also reduce inflammation and pain caused by cancer treatments. Additionally, cannabis is known to reduce nausea, vomiting, and pain caused by chemotherapy or other treatments.
- AIDS and HIV: Marijuana use has shown to be an effective treatment for wasting syndrome (Cachexia), which is a common side-effect of HIV/AIDS treatments. The patient rapidly starts losing nutrition in wasting syndrome. With the help of cannabis’s appetite stimulation, they can restore some or most of that nutrition faster. Apart from this, cannabis has also been studied as a potential solution for nausea and vomiting caused by AIDS and HIV medications.
The use of marijuana has also been found useful in boosting appetite in dementia and Parkinson’s patients who often complain about a lack of desire to eat.
Why is Cannabis Not Helping my Appetite?
There can be many reasons why getting cannabis is still not improving your appetite; some of the most common ones include:
Not Enough THC in Your Cannabis
If you have been struggling to improve your appetite, it may be because you are not using medical marijuana in the right way. While cannabis is known to help with appetite and nausea, it works better when it contains THC-rich strains of cannabis.
Other cannabinoids present in medical marijuana can also help with appetite, but they are less effective without THC.
High Level of THCV
The high level of THCV in cannabis may be the reason why it has little effect on increasing your appetite. THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a psychoactive cannabinoid linked to suppressing the appetite.
Although THC is also psychoactive, it seems to have a different effect on your hunger than THCV does. It is still not clear why only THCV has this effect – it may be because it interacts with different receptors in the brain than THC.
Your Body is Getting Low Quantity
Some people use CBD edibles to increase their appetite, but it does not work for everybody. If you are also using CBD edibles but not seeing any effects, we suggest smoking marijuana.
Studies have shown that smoking marijuana is more effective as the intake of THC through vaporization does not go into the liver like oral administration.
So a higher amount of THC goes into the body when smoking, and as a result, it produces a greater appetite.
What Kinds of Side Effects Could Occur from Taking Cannabis for Appetite Improvement?
There are many benefits to using cannabis for appetite improvement, but it is important to be aware of the potential side effects. Some of the side effects that could occur could range from dry mouth to drowsiness and difficulty concentrating.
Speaking with a doctor before starting any treatment plan is important, as some side effects may be more serious than others. Always use caution when using cannabis products – never drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence! That said, let’s discuss some common side effects:
- Dry Mouth: If you’re looking for an appetite-enhancing cannabinoid, look no further than cannabis. However, be aware that the use of marijuana can cause dry mouth in some people. If the condition persists, speak to your doctor about other options. Sucking on ice chips and drinking water can help remedy the issue.
- Feeling stoned: You can start feeling stoned if you smoke or eat marijuana with a high quantity of THC. This feeling of high can waste hours of your time as you won’t be able to do most takes that require focus and attention. So makes sure to talk to a marijuana doctor to adjust your dosage.
- Gaining Weight: Be aware that using cannabis in large quantities can lead to weight gain. This is because if you don’t properly control your appetite and let marijuana do its thing for a long time, you will eat a lot more, which can cause obesity. We suggest exercising in addition to taking a healthy meal every day to keep your weight in check.
Is there a recommended dosage of medical marijuana for appetite?
There is still so much to learn about the effects of medical marijuana on appetite. While some people find relief by taking smaller doses, others need to take much larger doses. Speaking with a doctor about what dosage is right for you is extremely important. However, some believe that around 2-5 grams per day effectively stimulates hunger when you’re just starting out. Here for physician resources.
However, always consult with your marijuana doctor before starting any new treatment, especially if you are taking other medications or have health concerns. And remember to always start with a low dose, no matter which method of administering CBD you use and increase as needed until desired results are reached.
Parting Thoughts:
It’s no secret that medical marijuana is a popular choice for many people looking for relief from various ailments and conditions. While it’s still uncertain whether cannabis can improve one’s appetite, many studies suggest that it might just be the answer to the loss of appetite.
So if you’re considering using medical marijuana for its appetite-boosting properties, be sure to do your research first! Furthermore, before using this miracle plant, speak with your doctor to see if it is an appropriate treatment option.
Can Medical Marijuana Improve Patients With Lack Of Appetite? Yes, It Can! Visit All Natural MD for more information on visiting a medical marijuana doctor and getting qualified for a medical marijuana card in Florida. You can also visit our Blog for more good reads.