CAN YOU TREAT ANOREXIA BY USING CBD?

Anorexia is a psychiatric disorder with an unknown etiology and a high mortality rate but lacks effective treatment. CBD has been used to cause some effects on an individual’s body through appetite increase. Anorexia is the inability to eat, an individual losing appetite, and can be caused by different health conditions, among other aspects. This article explains whether CBD can help in treating anorexia.

CBD is a plant extract that can either be obtained from hemp or the marijuana plant. Both can be used but depends on the legality of the products. In 2018, the United States signed a Farm Bill that legalized the consumption and commercial cultivation of hemp and its products. CBD is mainly sourced from hemp because it contains more CBD than THC. THC is a psychoactive component, and consumption can make an individual feel high. Unlike CBD, it does not have any side effects on a person but makes one calm and relaxed when used. The FDA has not legalized any hemp-based products apart from Epidiolex, and individuals should be keen on the type of products they consume to prevent any adverse effects. CBD consumption has gained popularity, and consumers are using it for their benefit. It can be used for health purposes or recreational purposes. Some are using this compound to help boost their appetite.

Causes of Anorexia

It is also called anorexia nervosa; its causes are unknown. It can be genetic as some individuals inherit it. When a family has eating disorders, the parents can give birth to children with eating disorders as the genes are passed from the parents to the kids. Other causes can be social, psychological, and environmental factors that also contribute to the development of anorexia. Most people suffering from this condition believe that the quality of their lives depends on how thin they are; most turn out to be overachievers and perfectionists. Individuals struggling with this eating disorder can counter it with other alternatives like CBD and its related products.

Anorexia Convectional Support

Anorexia is a primary psychological caused condition. People use doctors’ treatments, regular therapy sessions, and antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. The main goal of treating such conditions is to help address self-esteem issues and any underlying condition resulting from anxiety and depression. Persons suffering from anorexia can talk to their professional help of healthcare practitioners for help.

How CBD Helps with Anorexia

Aldewachi et al. (2020) explained that anorexia nervosa could be managed by using herbal supplements that aid by increasing the hormone associated with satiety and hunger. Cannabis and its related products can be used as a remedy as it is stereotypically known that individuals using cannabis products eat a lot. However, it is not specified which cannabis strain brings the appetite. Most cannabinoids found in the hemp plant are seen to increase the hunger levels of an individual after consumption, especially THC. However, this compound is not advised and safe for consumption as it produces psychoactive effects, making it illegal in many countries. The FDA ensures that any hemp-based CBD product contains no more than 0.03% THC levels. Symptoms and signs of anorexia can be relieved through:

CBD Can Improve a Person’s Mood

Individuals consuming CBD feel some range of mood enhancement benefits that are not normally experienced. One of the main anorexia drivers is low mood, and patients use antidepressant medications of different kinds and forms to help treat this condition. Also, CBD is a natural remedy for depression. Kamal et al. (2018) stated that products like Full spectrum CBD, which contains other compounds like terpenes, contain mood enhancing and antidepressant effects, which, when consumed, lead to mood improvement making an individual feel relaxed.

Full Spectrum CBD May Boost Appetite

Some consumers with anorexia can experience a shift in the hormones controlling their appetite. Leptin is the satiety hormone while ghrelin is the hunger hormone—individuals with anorexia experience dysfunctional hunger hormone imbalances. Since full spectrum CBD contains THC, one can experience a hunger craving kickstart in an individual’s hypothalamus and increase the ghrelin hormone. This compound works with CBD by binding with CB1 receptors, controlling several body functions. Pauli et al. (2020) explained that CBD could boost the THC effects, which include appetite making one have a blended feeling with boosting an overall appetite level.

CBD Help Relieve Anxiety and Stress

An individual with anorexia should also treat anxiety and stress as they are among the major causes of appetite loss. Hatchett et al. (2020) explained that CBD consumption, anxiety, and depression are reduced and is beneficial to individual experiencing anorexia situations. Consumption of CBD in high doses can help an individual with anorexia relax and become calm, have an appetite, and think logically. Although it is not yet proven that most individuals use CBD for appetite, THC increases appetite while CBD reduces appetite.

How To Take CBD for Anorexia

A person can consume CBD for anorexia in many forms and ways. It can be consumed orally through capsules infused with CBD. It can be taken with water or infused CBD in foods and other edibles. It can be digested and assimilated into the body for effects to be felt. Also, one can consume CBD under the tongue, where the product is absorbed into the bloodstream directly through the sublingual membranes. The amount of consumption should be considered to prevent any adverse effects.

Conclusion

CBD is safe and effective for consumption as it is seen to help counter several aspects of an individual’s life. Anorexia is the inability to eat, and it can be genetically acquired or through physiological and environmental factors. CBD can be used as an alternative in aiding in improving one appetite. It is important to consider the effects as they vary from one person to another. It is because each person has a different endocannabinoid system that operates differently. The consumption dosage should be moderate to prevent any adverse effects from consuming the product.

References

Aldewachi, H., Mustafa, Y. F., Najm, R., & Ammar, F. (2020). Adulteration of slimming products and their detection methods. Syst Rev Pharm, 11(3), 289.

Hatchett, A., Armstrong, K., Hughes, B., & Parr, B. (2020). The influence of cannabidiol on delayed onset of muscle soreness. Int. J. Phys. Educ. Sports Health, 7, 89-94.

Kamal, B. S., Kamal, F., & Lantela, D. E. (2018). Cannabis and the anxiety of fragmentation—a systems approach for finding an anxiolytic cannabis chemotype. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12, 730.

Pauli, C. S., Conroy, M., Vanden Heuvel, B. D., & Park, S. H. (2020). Cannabidiol drugs clinical trial outcomes and adverse effects. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 63.