Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, nor does it establish a patient-doctor relationship. TeleLeaf does not guarantee any result from using medical marijuana. Consult your doctor to determine if medical cannabis is appropriate for your individual health needs and medical conditions.
Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that alternates between designated periods of eating and fasting. Intermittent fasting doesn’t tell you what to eat; it tells you when to eat.
The 16/8 method (fasting for 16 hours and eating for 8 hours), the 18/6 method (fasting for 18 hours and eating for 6 hours), and alternate-day fasting regimens are the most prevalent ways to do this.
Studies show that intermittent fasting could help in weight control and fat reduction by encouraging calorie restriction while possibly enhancing memory and cognitive performance.
When the body is fasting, it stops using glucose as its main source of energy and starts using fat that it has stored. This is termed ketosis.
Intermittent fasting may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which could lower the risk of heart disease, according to research. Research also indicates that fasting can assist in controlling circadian rhythms, which may result in deeper and more restorative sleep.
For many people who perform intermittent fasting, the hardest part is dealing with hunger during the fasting windows, keeping their energy up, and getting used to changing their eating habits. This is exactly where medical cannabis may be able to help.
How Marijuana’s Endocannabinoid System Interacts with Fasting
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complicated network of cell-signaling pathways that controls a lot of bodily activities, such as mood, pain, sleep, and hunger.
The ECS is made up of endocannabinoids, which are naturally occurring chemicals; receptors all over the body (mostly CB1 and CB2 receptors); and enzymes that make and break down these chemicals.
Cannabinoids (THC and CBD) are plant-based chemicals that interact with this system to make medical cannabis work.
Early research on animal studies showed that fasting may raise levels of naturally occurring endocannabinoids in the brain, especially in areas that are associated with hunger and reward.
The heightened endocannabinoid activity during fasting times enhances the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), potentially fostering a synergistic environment when used in conjunction with medical cannabis.
Researchers looked at how fasting, eating, and being full affected endocannabinoid levels. They found that people who were not eating showed big increases in endocannabinoid levels, especially the molecule 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG).
This natural rise in the body’s own cannabinoid system after fasting may improve how medical cannabis works with your body.
How Medical Cannabis May Support Intermittent Fasting
Controlling Hunger and Appetite
Studies show that THC can make you hungry (known as the “munchies”), but CBD might actually make you less hungry. This effect on appetite could help those who practice intermittent fasting stick to their fasting window.
A 2008 study on animals found that cannabidiol can stop ghrelin, the hormone that makes you hungry, from working. CBD-dominant medical cannabis products may help patients feel less motivated by hunger signals during fasting times by possibly lowering ghrelin activity.
Helping with Metabolic Health
A study indicated that people who now use marijuana had 16% lower fasting insulin levels and 17% reduced insulin resistance.
The study also found strong links between marijuana use and a reduced waist circumference, even though the people who used it ate more calories. The metabolic effects of intermittent fasting are in line with what many people want to achieve: better insulin sensitivity and a healthier body composition.
Making it Easier to Deal with Stress and Mood
It might be hard on your mind and emotions to switch to an intermittent fasting routine. A study shows that CBD may be able to improve mood, control energy levels, and promote sleep. These traits may be especially useful during the adjustment period of intermittent fasting, when mood swings and irritation can happen.
Help with Sleeping Better
Not getting enough sleep might mess with metabolic hormones and make you hungrier. A lot of medical cannabis patients already use cannabis products to help them sleep better, and this effect may be especially useful when combined with intermittent fasting.
Fasting may assist in regulating circadian rhythms, and medicinal cannabis may help people sleep better. Together, these two things may have a synergistic effect, enabling patients to get more restorative sleep when they are fasting.
Does Fasting Affect How Your Body Processes Medical Cannabis?
If you take medicinal cannabis oil sublingually (under the tongue), fasting probably won’t have much of an effect on how cannabinoids are absorbed because this approach goes straight into the bloodstream without going to the digestive system. This means that sublingual oils and tinctures work the same way whether or not you are fasting.
When you use a dry herb vaporizer to take medical cannabis flower, it goes straight into the bloodstream through the lungs. Fasting does not affect this mode of absorption. Some evidence indicates that vaporized cannabis may yield heightened effects when fasting, potentially attributable to alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism.
A controlled study investigating the impact of 24-hour food deprivation on responses to marijuana in eight male smokers revealed that typical effects of marijuana, such as elevated heart rate, impaired memory, and heightened “high” ratings, were observed following the consumption of active marijuana. But fasting did not influence the drug response. This implies that although metabolic alterations transpire during fasting, they may not significantly modify the fundamental effects of cannabis for the majority of users.
The Science of Timing: When to Use Medical Cannabis while Fasting
During Fasting
CBD-dominant products may help you manage your appetite, stay focused, and keep your energy levels up without breaking your fast. Sublingual oils and vaporized items are good to use while fasting because they don’t need meals to be absorbed.
Before Bed
Many intermittent fasting plans call for skipping dinner or having dinner earlier in the evening. During this period, using medical cannabis products that help you sleep may help both your fasting regimen and your sleep hygiene.
Considerations for Medical Cannabis Patients Practicing Intermittent Fasting
Caloric Content of Medical Cannabis Products
Consuming anything below this caloric value (such as black coffee or tea) won’t interfere with the fasted state.
A small dose of CBD oil consisting of CBD and MCT carrier oil in a dropper under the tongue is unlikely to hinder ketosis, but check the label for any caloric additives such as sugar. Vaporized products contain essentially no calories and won’t impact your fasted state.
Individual Variation Matters
Certain cannabis products enhance a patient’s fasting experience, while others may need to adjust their approach.
Quality and Product Selection
Your state’s medical marijuana program ensures that all products from licensed retailers are tested for purity and potency. Check also for the certification of analysis (CoA).
Louisiana’s Medical Marijuana Program: Access Made Easy
Louisiana’s cannabis law lets doctors recommend medical marijuana for any condition they think is debilitating.
Some of these conditions are cancer, PTSD, severe muscle spasms, epilepsy, seizure disorders, Crohn’s disease, intractable pain, HIV/AIDS, or a traumatic brain injury.
See the complete list here.
The Convenience of Telehealth for Medical Marijuana Recommendations
Telehealth services are convenient for a number of reasons:
- For patients who are too busy to drive to a physical clinic or hospital
- Patients who live in remote areas
- Patients who have mobility issues that prevent them from going out of their homes
- Patients who prefer to have their consultations privately
- You don’t have to take time off work, find transportation, or wait in line.
- You can get your recommendation in a day (this still depends on your consultation)
Explore Medical Cannabis for Your Wellness Journey
If you’re practicing intermittent fasting and interested in exploring how medical cannabis might support your health goals, TeleLeaf makes the process simple and convenient. Our HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platform connects you with licensed physicians.
Take the first step toward combining medical cannabis with your intermittent fasting journey. Sign up today and discover the wonders of medical marijuana.
Dr. Chance Miller 
Live Chat
