Does Weed Have Calories?
Article written by
Elena Schmidt
Content reviewed by
Dr. Lewis Jassey
Everything that people eat or drink contains calories — including cannabis. However, it’s easy to avoid caloric intake when consuming marijuana. Smoking or vaping weed allows users to experience the benefits of cannabis without any calories at all.
Conversely, eating weed extracts added to sugar-filled baked goods guarantees a few calories. Another issue is that THC triggers the release of a hunger-stimulating hormone called ghrelin, which may cause people to eat while high, aka the munchies.
Fortunately, following a balanced cannabis routine combined with a proper diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep ensures weed lovers can live a healthy lifestyle.
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What Is the Calorie Content of Cannabis?
While research is lacking on the exact calories in the cannabis plant, there are some good estimates based on how many calories are in hemp. It is likely that there are approximately two calories for every gram of cannabis. So, 100 grams contains about 203 calories. However, most people don’t eat raw weed — they usually smoke, vape, or ingest it through infused food and beverages.
Depending on the recipe, edible brownies, gummies, and cookies can contain significant calories. For example, a marijuana-infused brownie may contain the same calories as a regular brownie.
Does Smoking Weed Have Any Calories?
It might come as a surprise, but smoking weed does add a single calorie to your diet. Keep in mind, though, high THC strains can increase appetite, resulting in weight gain if a person continuously overeats while high.
As we mentioned earlier, THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana that causes “the munchies.” Not only does THC increase the hunger hormone ghrelin, but it also boosts dopamine and heightens our sense of smell and taste. This makes chowing down that much more enjoyable.
Despite the clear science behind the marijuana munchies, paradoxical research shows that marijuana users tend to have lower body mass indexes. Additionally, low doses of marijuana do not seem to affect food intake at all.
Research shows that smoking marijuana increases metabolic rates, which causes the body to burn more calories at rest. Thus, smoking cannabis in moderation can be an effective solution for those conscious of lowering or maintaining their caloric intake.
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How Many Calories Do Edibles Have?
The calorie content of edibles has nothing to do with weed and everything to do with the sugar, fat, salt, and carbohydrates used to create them. Caloric content varies greatly depending on the recipe and serving size. There are also lots of sugar-free or vegan edible options that are lower in calories than traditional treats.
When consuming cannabis edibles, it’s best to check nutrition labels first. On average, a single serving can contain anywhere from 50-200 calories, depending on the recipe. For example, a weed brownie with butter and sugar will have more calories than a weed gummy made with fruit juice and natural sweeteners. One gummy typically contains about 20 calories.
The Bottom Line
The caloric content of cannabis is extremely low. What calories you take in depends on the consumption method.
Eating an edible here and there isn’t likely to drastically affect your body weight, but consuming frequent doses of high THC products may up your chances of falling victim to the munchies. Another dramatic factor in a person’s weight gain or loss is other lifestyle habits like diet and exercise.
Research finds most cannabis smokers are actually slimmer than the average non-smoker. Monitoring your THC intake while keeping up an active routine is an easy way to stay healthy.
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