Weed for Weight Loss?

The Humulene Terpene Helps Users Lose Weight with Weed

Not too long ago many people had an image in their mind of what the typical cannabis smoker looked like. For many it was a person who lived a fairly sedentary lifestyle and hardly ever left the couch.

Well, thanks to recent research we know this is not the case. In fact, in 2019, researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder found that those who used marijuana before or after exercising got more aerobic exercise than those who didn’t. They also seemed to get greater enjoyment from their workouts. (1)

So, if it’s possible that cannabis can help us be more active, is it possible that it could also help us lose weight? Well, that’s exactly what we are going to look into in this blog post.

Weed for Weight Loss

We recently wrote about the cannabinoid known as Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCv) and its potential benefits. One of those potential benefits is that it has been known to help suppress appetite.

This may come as a surprise to some, since another common misconception is that all weed will give you the munchies. Yes, marijuana is known to stimulate the appetite but strains high in THCv, like Durban Poison, could actually help to suppress the appetite.

Learn more: The Potential Benefits of THCv

In addition to THCv, which is a cannabinoid, there are other active compounds in cannabis that may also be helpful to those looking to drop some weight. For example, the terpenes known as humulene and limonene are thought to help suppress the appetite.

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are aromatic compounds naturally produced in plants like rosemary, lavender, and cannabis. In nature, terpenes help protect plants from animal grazing and infectious germs. They also attract pollinators.

There are more than 200 terpenes that have been identified within the cannabis plant. Although terpenes occur throughout the marijuana plant, they’re most abundant in the trichomes. Trichomes are those little “hairs” that you can see on your cannabis flower.

Terpenes are bioactive and can offer potential benefits. For example, terpenes can play an important role in creating an enhanced effect known as the entourage effect.

What Is the Entourage Effect?

By striking the right balance of cannabinoids and terpenes for your endocannabinoid system (ECS), it could create a special synergy that results in a more complete cannabis experience known as the Entourage Effect.

Learn more: The Entourage Effect

How a Grinder Can Help You Make the Most of Your Terpenes

When you break up weed by hand, those terpene-rich trichomes on your cannabis flower can stick to your hands. But, when you break up your weed with a grinder, those trichomes stay in the grinder - until you’re ready to enjoy them.

This collection of trichomes is known as kief. After a couple of months, you can clean your grinder and collect the kief - which can be sprinkled on your flower when rolling a joint or packing a bowl to elevate your cannabis experience.

Learn more: Does Grinding Your Weed Make It More Potent?

Humulene Terpene

Humulene is a terpene found in cannabis. Besides cannabis, humulene is also found in hops, sage, ginger, basil, balsam fir, black pepper, cilantro/coriander, and other plants. Humulene is what gives beer its unique flavor and its scent is described as earthy and woody with a hint of spiciness similar to ginger or ginseng.

Humulene Terpene Effects

During the life of the cannabis plant, the scent of humulene helps to deter pests and prevent mold.

Humulene is a terpene that’s abundant in nature. It’s also one of the most important terpenes for those who medicate with cannabis. For centuries humulene has been used in holistic Eastern medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and appetite suppressing qualities.

Even those who don’t consume cannabis, can enjoy its potential benefits since humulene is abundant in many plants and herbs like sage, ginger, basil, balsam fir, black pepper, and cilantro/coriander.

For example, since sage is rich in humulene its oil has been known to have antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial benefits. Another example is ginseng root - which is known to boost energy, suppress appetite, and is also a natural antibiotic.

A 2009 study found that when it is administered orally or inhaled as an aerosol, humulene may help with allergic asthma. (2)

A 2003 study published in Planta Medica found that humulene in balsam fir oil may also be helpful in fighting cancerous cells that cause tumors. (3)

Weed to Lose Weight

It may sound counter intuitive but, yes, certain strains of cannabis may help suppress your appetite, which could support your weight-loss efforts. Not only that but, like we mentioned earlier, consuming cannabis can also help to increase your motivation to work out.

Marijuana Strains for Weight Loss

Typically, strains high in the terpene humulene may help to suppress appetite.

Humulene Strains of Cannabis

Strains of cannabis that are rich in humulene include Maui Wowie, Super Lemon Haze, Girl Scout Cookies, Headband, Bubba Kush, and Skywalker OG.

In addition to humulene strains, strains that are high in the cannabinoid THCv could also help with weight loss. An example of this includes the landrace strain, Durban Poison. Durban Poison is an African Sativa that originated from the area near the South African port city of Durban.

Skunk #1, which is an offspring of the Mexican Sativa landrace strain known as Acapulco Gold, is also said to be high in THCv.

Learn more: What Is a Landrace Strain?

Super Lemon Haze Strain

Super Lemon Haze can be a good strain to enjoy if you are trying to avoid the munchies. The reason is it gives you the benefit of two different terpenes that are thought to help suppress the appetite. In addition to humulene, Super Lemon Haze also contains limonene.

Limonene is a common terpene that most people can immediately recognize by its citrusy scent. Limonene is commonly found in the rinds of lemons and oranges. In addition to its appetite suppressing qualities, Limonene is also considered to be anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antidiabetic.

Super Lemon Haze is a sativa dominant hybrid strain of Lemon Skunk and Super Silver Haze. Its energizing and uplifting effects tend to make Super Lemon Haze a popular choice for those who like to consume before exercising.

Learn more: Working Out High

Beta-Caryophyllene Terpene

Beta-caryophyllene is another terpene known to help suppress the appetite.

Beta-caryophyllene exists in many herbs and vegetables, such as cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper. It’s responsible for the spicy aroma. In addition to appetite suppression, beta-caryophyllene is also thought to be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidepressant, and sleep-supportive.

Runtz Strain

Runtz is a hybrid strain of cannabis that mixes The Original Z (AKA Skittles) with Gelato. It has a sweet berry taste and has been known to help people feel happy.

Although humulene is not one of the predominant terpenes found in the Runtz strain, it does feature beta-caryophyllene and limonene. Since both of these terpenes are known to help suppress appetite, some might say that Runtz could be a suitable strain for those looking to drop some weight.

However, with that said, Runtz is also notorious for causing the munchies.

Since the effects of cannabis can be different for all - it’s important to always test out a strain first before making it a part of your weight loss efforts. A strain that might suppress the appetite for one person could give you a case of the munchies.

For more on cannabinoids and appetite, see the role of cannabis in weight management.

Where to Get Terpenes

If you’re seeking to enjoy the potential benefits of terpenes the way nature intended, you have a couple of options.

Cannabis Flower

First, you could enjoy some cannabis flower. Each strain of cannabis has its own unique terpene and cannabinoid profile. So, when you consume flower, you get the benefit of all those active compounds found in that strain.

Ask your budtender about current flower and pre-roll options on the menu and the terpene profiles of each strain.

Full Spectrum Oil

Another way to enjoy the potential benefits of terpenes is with full spectrum cannabis oil. Full spectrum means the THC oil is extracted from the whole cannabis plant - allowing the oil to maintain the full profile of active compounds in the plant.

Learn more: What Is Full Spectrum THC Oil?

Shop Bloom - Your One-Stop Canna Shop:

Maryland Bloom Dispensary:

As of July 1st, 2023, Bloom is happy to be able to serve both medical marijuana patients and adult-use customers 21+ at our Germantown dispensary.

• Bloom Germantown

Ohio Bloom Dispensaries:

Bloom serves registered medical patients and adult-use customers 21+ at seven Ohio dispensaries:

• Bloom Akron
• Bloom Athens
• Bloom Massillon
• Bloom Painesville
• Bloom Seven Mile
• Bloom South Columbus
• Bloom West Columbus

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1. The New Runner’s High? Examining Relationships Between Cannabis Use and Exercise Behavior in States With Legalized Cannabis
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2785529/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12802719/