| Journal | Appetite |
| Study Type | Randomized Trial |
| Population | Human participants |
This is the first controlled human study documenting CBD’s effects on actual food intake, not just subjective appetite ratings. The finding that a single 298mg CBD dose increased caloric intake by nearly 200 calories challenges assumptions about CBD’s appetite-suppressing properties and has direct implications for patients using CBD products.
This double-blind crossover RCT in 15 healthy adults found that 298mg CBD significantly increased ad libitum lunch intake by 193 kcal compared to placebo, despite no changes in subjective appetite ratings or postprandial glucose/lipid metabolism. The study used a robust design with metabolic measurements via indirect calorimetry and blood sampling following a standardized breakfast. The small sample size and single-dose design limit broader generalizability, and the mechanism driving increased intake without corresponding appetite changes remains unclear.
“This surprises me clinically, I’ve had patients report both appetite stimulation and suppression with CBD, but the disconnect between actual intake and perceived hunger is notable. It suggests CBD may influence eating behavior through pathways beyond conscious appetite awareness.”
💬 Join the Conversation
Have a question about how this applies to your situation? Ask Dr. Caplan →
Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? Join the forum discussion →
Have thoughts on this? Share it:
FAQ
Does taking CBD make people eat more?
In this small trial, it did. A single 298 mg dose of CBD increased how much healthy adults ate at an unrestricted (ad libitum) lunch by 193 calories compared with placebo. This finding challenges assumptions that CBD suppresses appetite.
Did CBD make participants feel hungrier?
No. Participants ate more after CBD, yet their subjective appetite ratings did not change compared with placebo. In other words, the increase in food intake was not matched by a change in how hungry participants reported feeling. The mechanism behind this mismatch remains unclear.
Did a single dose of CBD change metabolism?
No. The study found no changes in postprandial glucose or lipid metabolism after CBD compared with placebo. Metabolic effects were measured using indirect calorimetry and blood sampling after participants ate a standardized breakfast.
How was this CBD and appetite study designed?
It was a double-blind crossover randomized controlled trial in 15 healthy adults, published in the journal Appetite. It compared a single 298 mg dose of CBD with placebo. It is described as the first controlled human study documenting CBD’s effects on actual food intake rather than only subjective appetite ratings.
What are the limitations of this CBD food intake study?
The sample was small, only 15 healthy adults, and the study tested a single dose, which limits how broadly the results can be generalized. The 298 mg dose studied is also higher than typical commercial products, so effects at lower doses remain unknown.
Get the next evidence review in your inbox
Plain-language summaries of the newest cannabis research, written by a physician. Free to read, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Join the growing cannabis community. Free. One-click subscribe. Delivered by Substack.
