Does Weed Have Calories? A Little? But Not Much? [ANSWERED]

When you’re settling into a comfy couch with your favorite strain after a long day, you might find yourself wondering about more than just the relaxing effects.

Perhaps as you reach for a snack, a thought crosses your mind: “Does this weed itself have calories?“

It’s a reasonable question, especially in a world where we’re increasingly conscious of what we consume.

Whether you’re someone trying to manage your weight or just curious about every aspect of your diet, understanding the caloric content of everything you ingest, including cannabis, can be quite pertinent.

Here, we explore not only the calories in cannabis itself but also how different consumption methods might affect your caloric intake.

How Many Calories Does Weed Have?

To answer the question in the simplest way: Raw weed has very few calories—less than 2 per gram, coming mainly from small amounts of protein, fat, and carbs. It’s much less than what you’d get from sugar or oils.

If you smoke or vape cannabis, you’re not consuming any calories at all. The burning process during smoking or vaping destroys any calories that might have been there.

However, cannabis edibles are a different story. The calorie content in edibles like brownies or gummies depends on the ingredients used, such as butter and sugar.

So, if you’re keeping an eye on calories, it’s a good idea to check the nutritional labels on these products.

TRY READING: What Does Weed Taste Like?

How Many Calories Do Other Forms of Weed Consumption Have?

If what we said above didn’t quite make sense, then read through the comments we have on how many calories edibles, oils, and the rest contain, below:

Edibles

Edibles like brownies and gummies contain calories based on the ingredients used in their preparation. Common additions such as butter, sugar, and flour significantly increase the calorie count, so it’s important to check the labels for specific details.

We highly recommend that you try out our recipes section if you’re looking for a more ‘homemade’ alternative when it comes to edibles. Not only will you be sure of the calories per recipe, but you can also fully savor the taste of each one since you’re the one making it.

Oils

Cannabis oils can vary in calorie content depending on how they’re made and what they’re mixed with. Oils used for cooking or as carriers for cannabis extracts may add more calories, similar to typical cooking oils.

Concentrates

Cannabis concentrates such as wax, shatter, and resin, when vaporized or dabbed, contain no calories because they are not ingested and their potential caloric components are burned off in the process.

Vaping

Vaping cannabis involves inhaling vapor from heated oils or concentrates and does not add any calories because the substances are not digested.

Related Questions About Weed Calories

We know you have more questions about this topic—and that’s why we’ve answered some of them:

What are strains that can boost your appetite?

Certain strains of cannabis are known for their ability to stimulate appetite, often referred to as giving the “munchies.” Strains rich in THC, such as Juicy Fruit, OG Kush, and Girl Scout Cookies, are particularly known for increasing appetite. This effect is due to THC’s interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which can trigger hunger signals.

Can weed help you lose weight?

Though cannabis can increase appetite, some studies suggest that regular users might have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared to non-users, potentially due to the effects of certain cannabinoids like THCV that may suppress appetite.

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Will it make you gain weight instead?

While cannabis itself doesn’t contain many calories and won’t directly cause weight gain, the increased appetite associated with certain strains might lead to consuming more calories than usual, which can contribute to weight gain.

Do different strains of cannabis have different calorie contents?

The calorie content of cannabis does not significantly vary between strains. The primary difference in strains is their cannabinoid and terpene profiles, not their macronutrient content, which is what would influence calorie counts.

How do processing methods affect the calorie content of cannabis products?

Processing methods can affect the caloric content of cannabis products. For example, the addition of fats or sugars during the creation of edibles or oils can increase calories, while simple drying and curing of cannabis flowers have minimal impact on caloric values.

Can the use of cannabis influence metabolism or energy expenditure?

Some studies suggest that certain cannabinoids may influence metabolism. For instance, THC has been shown to increase appetite, which could indirectly affect caloric intake and energy expenditure. However, cannabis itself does not directly alter metabolic rates significantly enough to impact calorie burning.

Are there any low-calorie cannabis consumption methods?

Yes, vaping and smoking are low-calorie methods of consuming cannabis, as they do not involve ingesting caloric content. Tinctures and transdermal patches also offer ways to use cannabis without adding calories.

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What should I look for on labels of cannabis products to understand their calorie content?

When checking labels on cannabis products, especially edibles and oils, look for information on serving size, total calories per serving, and ingredients. Ingredients like sugars and fats contribute to the total calorie count.

Does the calorie content of cannabis affect its potency or effects?

The calorie content of cannabis does not affect its potency or the effects it produces. Potency is determined by the concentration of cannabinoids, particularly THC and CBD, not by the caloric content.

If you want to read more from us, consider checking out our blog, where we’ve covered topics like ‘Why Can’t I Roll a Joint?’, ‘How to Open a Stuck Grinder‘, and more that you might enjoy.

If you have any questions about this topic, definitely don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team here at BMWO will accommodate your needs.

We hope we’ve helped you understand the topic of ‘calories in weed,’ and we look forward to hearing from you on our next article. Take care!