Does Using Cannabis Break Your Fast?

Intermittent fasting is one of the most popular health trends today. Generally defined as abstaining from food and drink for a certain number of hours, there are several ways one can fast and still enjoy its health benefits.

Whether you choose to fast for at least 10 hours or more each day, fasting has been shown to improve health in many ways including: autophagy (the body’s natural way of cleaning damaged cells), promoting weight loss, cognitive function improve, reduce insulin resistance, fight inflammation, improve heart health and more. Daily fasting or even certain days in a week or month is a practice that more and more people are practicing.

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Additionally, it is a growing trend for people to incorporate cannabis into their healthy lifestyle. Individuals also use cannabis before or after exercise. A recent survey of 600 people in states where adult use of cannabis is legal showed that 81.7% of people recommended using marijuana during their workout. “The majority of participants who endorsed the use of cannabis just before/after exercise reported that it increased their enjoyment of and recovery from exercise, and approximately half reported that it increased their motivation to exercise,” they said the authors of the study.

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Cannabis certainly complements a healthy lifestyle in several ways:

• motivation for movement
• training recovery
• Relaxation
• Fights inflammation

…and so much more. Will Using Cannabis Break Your Fast?

Cannabis & Fasting

Depending on how you consume cannabis, the answer will vary. The good news is that inhaling or vaping cannabis will not break your fast. Feel free to take a few hits in the morning even if you are sober before your workout. Cannabis does not contain any calories or macronutrients, so smoking does not induce an insulin response. On the other hand, it can still give you all the health benefits of the plant and even help with fasting, autophagy, fat loss and bowel rest.

Cannabis oils will also break your fast. Most cannabis oils use coconut oil as the carrier oil, which has calories.

However, be aware that cannabis-infused edibles and beverages will definitely break your fast. Edibles and beverages contain calories and various macronutrients that stimulate an insulin response in your body, thus breaking the fast. For this reason, inhalation is the best way to consume marijuana when you are fasting.

RELATED: Can THC Stored in Your Body Fat Get You High?

Some individuals still consume less than 20-50 calories to gently break a fast, depending on how strict you are or what type of fast you are doing. There are many who are still able to effectively fast or stay in ketosis even if they eat less than 50 calories while fasting. Cannabis-infused black coffee, tea, or coconut carrier oils are acceptable in small amounts and still give you the metabolic and weight loss benefits of fasting.

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However, be aware that some people experience an increased appetite when consuming THC in any form. So, if you are one of those people who are prone to cravings, it might be better to smoke CBD-rich or high-CBD strains while fasting. Additionally, some people may also experience mild stomach upset when consuming CBD coconut oils on an empty stomach. If you have a sensitive stomach, you may be better off inhaling cannabis instead of CBD oils.

Consuming CBD can actually be beneficial for people who practice intermittent fasting. One study found that CBD acts on different receptors in the human body, unlike THC, which stimulates the CB1 receptors responsible for stimulating appetite. It suggests that CBD may be beneficial for those trying to suppress their appetite while fasting

Cannabis use supports fasting

People use cannabis for myriad health benefits. One of these is the regulation and balancing of hormones to improve many important bodily processes, including sleep and metabolism. As a result, you can experience more energy, burn calories, and sleep better just from fasting. Of course, these health benefits are amplified by healthy eating and exercise.

For those looking to regulate hormones, cannabis can also support your fasting. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate stress, fertility, immunity, memory, our mood, sleep, and many other functions. When consuming THC and CBD products, it helps regulate some of the key hormones in the body, including cortisol, melatonin, and insulin. This is also the same reason many women use cannabis products to correct hormone imbalances.

It’s also good to know that cannabis can help support your weight loss goals. This is one of the most popular benefits of fasting and one reason many people practice it in the first place. Cannabis’ ability to regulate insulin and help maintain a healthy body mass index might be the little nudge you need to shed a few unwanted pounds.

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In addition, studies show that cannabis promotes autophagy. This, in turn, helps reduce age-related neural changes while increasing longevity.

Conclusion

Using the right cannabis products can complement your wellness routine, including intermittent fasting. With so many beneficial compounds found in the cannabis plant, these can help supercharge your body with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.

If you’re new to the combination of cannabis and fasting, remember to listen to your body. Any body will take time to adjust to fasting, so it’s always good to start slowly: start with 10-hour fasts and gradually work your way up to your desired fasting schedule.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.