Anorexia and cannabis

CBD could potentially help combat certain side effects of anorexia, but there are other cannabinoids that can help in different ways.

Eating disorders can cause severe mental and physical damage to those suffering from an illness like anorexia. This can be primarily attributed to the nutritional deficiencies caused by inadequate food intake.

Compared to other mental illnesses, anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates of all. It is essential that anorexia treatment addresses both the mental and physical aspects of the illness. Pharmaceuticals are often not the solution for treating anorexia, as many psychological factors can be at play. It is crucial to find methods to increase the level of hunger and strengthen the desire to eat.

What is anorexia?

Anorexia is a pathological condition that causes individuals suffering from it to deliberately limit their energy intake to avoid gaining weight. Anorexia is generally associated with body dysmorphia, which is a mental disorder in which the patient is obsessed with perceived flaws in their appearance that are, in reality, nonexistent.

It is very common for people suffering from anorexia to have low self-esteem, and it is essential to keep in mind that this disorder is much more complicated than it first appears.

People suffering from anorexia generally have underlying issues that make them susceptible to the illness:

• A distorted body image
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Severe fear of gaining weight
• Social isolation
• History of abuse

Anorexia often leads those who suffer from it to present themselves as overweight, when in reality they are dangerously thin and, in some cases, malnourished.

Loss of appetite, feeling of fullness after eating very little, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, fatigue, feeling cold, dry skin and hair, brittle nails, lack of menstruation, feeling down, irritability, difficulty concentrating.

The symptoms of a person suffering from anorexia are as follows:

• Anemia
• dry skin
• Great fatigue
• Hair loss
• Amenorrhea
• Constipation
• Dehydration
• Heart problems
• Kidney problems
• Liver damage
• Low blood pressure
• Weakened immune system
• Extreme weight loss

Risk factors for anorexia include: Genetics: A family history of eating disorders, mental health issues, or obesity can increase the risk. Psychological factors: Perfectionism, low self-esteem, a need for control, and a history of trauma or abuse can contribute. Social and cultural factors: Societal pressure to be thin, participation in activities that emphasize leanness (like ballet or gymnastics), and negative comments about weight or body shape are influential. Environmental factors: Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, a breakup, or starting a new school, can be triggers. Personality traits: Being obsessive-compulsive, anxious, or introverted may also play a role.

Anorexia is above all a psychological disorder, the root cause of which varies depending on the person affected. Here are some common risk factors

• Very low self-esteem
• Intimidation
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Anxiety
• History of abuse
• Genetic variables
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

How is anorexia typically treated?

Since anorexia is a psychological disorder, the main treatments that many doctors choose to deploy include therapy sessions, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications. The primary goal is to treat the self-esteem issues faced by the individual, which is particularly relevant if the person suffers from underlying mental health problems such as depression or severe anxiety.

Can CBD oil help fight anorexia?

There are several herbal products that are believed to improve anorexia by increasing the body's hormones involved in hunger and satiety. One option is cannabis.

There's a well-known stereotype of cannabis consumers that they eat a lot after consuming cannabis.

It has been proven that many cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant increase appetite, the best known of which is THC. However, since THC is the cannabinoid that causes psychoactive effects, it remains illegal in the United Kingdom. Consequently, all CBD products sold in the UK must contain no more than 0.2% THC.

CBD oil has the ability to help improve the user's mood, and a depressed mood is one of the main causes of anorexia. Many doctors choose to treat anorexia with antidepressants such as SSRIs and SNRIs.

Regarding the cannabis plant, the greatest impact on mood is caused by CBD, which has been proven to relieve depressed animals.

CBD and appetite

CBD does not increase appetite and can even have the opposite effect. CBD alone has been found to inhibit appetite in users, which is why CBD isolates may not be ideal for those looking to use CBD for anorexia.

However, it has been observed that CBD increases the effectiveness of THC, which includes increasing appetite.

Other cannabinoids, like CBG (cannabigerol), have also shown to increase appetite, so using a legal CBG product in the UK may be your best option for boosting your appetite.

CBD oil for stress and anxiety

It has been found that CBD reduces anxiety, which can be very beneficial for people suffering from anorexia. This is likely the aspect of anorexia on which CBD can have the most effect, as it can allow the person suffering from it to relax and not be constantly anxious about their body image.

Early research suggests that a 2:1 or 1:1 CBD:THC ratio might be ideal for treating anorexia.

Studies on THC and anorexia

A Phase 2 clinical trial of 18 participants with cancer-related anorexia was treated with THC. The trial found that THC treatment resulted in a significant improvement in appetite in 13 of the 18 patients.

Other studies have also shown that THC is useful for improving appetite in AIDS and cancer patients.

There is a decent amount of research available on the appetite-stimulating effects of THC. Therefore, using full-spectrum CBD products can be a legal solution in France to combine the effects of THC and CBD, with THC stimulating the appetite and CBD increasing the effectiveness of THC while providing an anti-anxiety effect.