Does Weed Have Calories? How it Interacts with Your Body

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You’ve probably wondered at some point — does weed have calories? You’re not alone. With cannabis becoming part of more people’s daily routines, questions about its effect on your body and metabolism are getting more common. Let’s break it down in plain terms.

Do Weed Have Calories?

Cannabis in its natural form — flowers or buds — doesn’t contain enough calories to matter. You won’t gain weight from smoking a joint or using a vaporizer. However, the way you consume it can make a difference.

Inhaled Cannabis

You are burning (heating) cannabis’ chemicals, such as THC and CBD, when you use marijuana to get high, rather than consuming it.

Therefore, there is virtually no caloric content when you smoke or vape marijuana. Cannabis smoke or vapor does not contain carbohydrates, fat or sugar. It contains the chemical compounds which activate your body’s cannabinoid receptors.

Therefore, since smoking/vaping is done using an ignition source, and not by eating, your total caloric intake will remain zero. However, what happens next may differ greatly – specifically, if your “munchies” kick in.

Edibles and Cannabis-Infused Products

But now, how many calories does weed have when it’s in something edible? That’s where things get interesting.

Edible cannabis products such as brownies, gummies, or beverages, have calories because of the other ingredients added to the product — not the cannabis itself. Examples:

  • A chocolate brownie edible might have anywhere from 150-200 calories per serving.
  • THC gummies might have between 10-30 calories per gummy.
  • Beverages infused with cannabis typically contain between 20-60 calories per bottle, based on the type of beverage.

Therefore, when you ingest or drink cannabis, the amount of calories in the product is due to the sugars, butters, oils — and not the weed.

How Cannabis Interacts with Your Body

When you consume cannabis, THC binds to receptors in your brain and body, influencing appetite, mood, and metabolism. It affects your endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate hunger and energy balance.

THC can make you feel hungrier, while CBD may help reduce appetite or balance it. This is why some people feel like eating everything in sight after smoking, while others find it curbs their cravings.

The Munchies: Appetite Stimulation Explained

Marijuana is known for producing “the munchies.” THC increases your perception of smells and tastes, making food appear more enjoyable and palatable.

Research has shown that THC stimulates appetite related neurons in the hypothalamus, often referred to as the brain’s “hunger control center,” so even if you are full, a bag of potato chips may look particularly appealing.

While marijuana may stimulate the appetite of individuals who suffer from low appetites (such as patients receiving treatments for diseases that cause loss of appetite) and stimulate them to consume foods they normally would not want to eat, stimulating appetite in casual users may lead to overeating and additional calorie consumption.

Cannabis and Metabolism

Your metabolism — how your body converts food into energy — can also be influenced by cannabis.

Some studies show that regular cannabis users have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) than non-users. This could be due to metabolic changes or the body’s response to cannabinoids over time.

THC may temporarily increase your heart rate and metabolic activity, meaning your body could burn calories faster for a short period. But this effect doesn’t last long enough to make a major difference in weight loss.

So, while cannabis might nudge your metabolism, it’s not a weight-loss hack.

Do Edibles, Tinctures & Infused Products Contain Calories?

Yes! Edibles, Tinctures & Oils can add calories based upon what is used as an ingredient.

  • Alcohol-based tinctures and mct oil tinctures will add approximately 5-10 calories per ml of product.
  • Cannabis butter (cannabutter), and infused oils have high fat contents, therefore higher calorie counts.
  • Edibles, as previously stated, receive their calorie count from sugar, fat, and flour — not from the cannabinoids themselves.

In short, THC and CBD are calorie-free; however, the ingredients they are added to are not.

If you are looking to control calorie intake, and utilize cannabis — Inhalation methods and Tinctures will likely provide more flexibility than edible products.

Edibles, Tinctures, and Infusions: Do They Add Calories?

Marijuana itself will neither cause you to lose or gain weight; however, marijuana may alter your eating habits and metabolic rate.

You could potentially gain weight if you:

  • Are consistently consuming high calorie edible products.
  • Get the munchies & snack excessively after consuming marijuana.

You may maintain or lose weight by:

  • Sticking to low-calorie cannabis products such as tinctures.
  • Remaining active and consciously managing your diet.

It is how you combine your consumption of cannabis products with your daily lifestyle choices.

Balance is key, enjoy the benefits of cannabis while preventing the munchies to control your food choices.

For advice on how to incorporate cannabis responsibly into your daily routine, visit your local cannabis dispensary to discuss products that meet your health-related goals. They can help you locate products that support your metabolism, appetite, and overall well-being.

Final Thoughts: Does Weed Have Calories?

Technically, there are no calories in weed; however, how you consume it can greatly impact the amount of calories you ingest.

Smoked or vaporized cannabis will not directly contribute to your calorie intake; whereas, edible and infusion products can contribute to a large calorie count. Additionally, THC can stimulate hunger, and CBD has the potential to suppress it.

Ultimately, it comes down to moderation and being aware of your actions. Be aware of your eating habits, choose products thoughtfully, and remember — A great cannabis experience begins when you are aware of how it affects your body.

Visit your local cannabis dispensary for more wellness insights, and cannabis education to discover products that complement your lifestyle.

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