The Little-Known Side Effect of CBD Nobody Is Talking About

Many people associate marijuana with an increased appetite, aka the munchies, primarily due to its active constituent THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the psychoactive compound that delivers the feeling of being "high", for lack of a better term.

The other constituent of some marijuana strains is CBD (cannabidiol). When you hear about the potential benefits of marijuana, it is likely due to CBD. In fact, some people take CBD as a supplement in isolation to reap these benefits.

In a recent study, researchers at Loughborough University tested whether a single dose of CBD affects how much people eat and how their bodies process food afterward.

Participants took a CBD capsule or a placebo, without knowing which. People ate about 193 calories more at lunch after taking CBD compared to placebo; roughly a 16% increase. This was statistically meaningful and unexpected, since the researchers had actually predicted CBD would reduce appetite based on its known biology.

Despite eating more, participants showed no differences in blood sugar, fat levels, insulin, or energy expenditure. Their bodies processed the food the same way regardless of CBD.

What is unusual is that they observed a decrease in ghrelin levels, a hormone which typically leads to increased hunger. Subjective feelings of hunger and fullness were identical between sessions, meaning people didn't consciously feel hungrier after CBD.

Due to these unusual biological observations, researchers were unable to find the mechanism behind this increase in calorie consumption.

Before you rethink your CBD supplementation, it's important to note a few caveats in the study. It was small, with only 15 participants overall. The increase in calorie intake was statistically significant, but in the grand scheme not a huge change (about 193 calories more compared to placebo). This is also the first human study to observe these changes, so replication is needed to draw more definitive conclusions.

Overall, CBD causing the munchies appears to be a possibility, but the evidence is far too preliminary to be concerned. If you currently take CBD and feel it is benefiting you, one small study with an unexpected finding is not a reason to stop.

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 10:37 AM.