Riverside, CA: The administration of plant-derived cannabis extracts reduces weight and improves blood sugar levels in obese mice, according to preclinical data published in the Journal of Physiology.
Scientists affiliated with the University of California at Riverside assessed the metabolic impacts of both THC and cannabis extracts in obese mice for 30 days.
Researchers reported that both THC and cannabis extracts reduced body weight and fat mass. Mice that received full-spectrum extracts also showed improvements in their glucose levels, while those subjects that received THC alone did not.
“Our key findings demonstrate that THC and cannabis extract robustly reduced body weight and visceral adiposity (body fat) in DIO (diet-induced obese) mice with notable improvements in glucose homeostasis particularly with cannabis extract, but not THC alone, improving glucose clearance,” the study’s authors concluded. “Our findings highlight the potential therapeutic value of cannabinoids in managing obesity and related metabolic disorders, though further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and translate these findings into clinical applications.”
Population-based observational studies consistently show that adults with a history of cannabis use possess a lower risk of suffering from certain metabolic disorders – including hypertension, obesity, and adult-onset diabetes.
Full text of the study, “Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabis extracts differentially improve adipoinsular dysfunction in diet-induced obesity,” appears in the Journal of Physiology. Additional information on cannabinoids and diabetes is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.