Some scientists have suggested that anorexia and other eating disorders are connected to a dysfunction with the endocannabinoid system, a major neurotransmission system responsible for a variety of physiological processes related to homeostatic balance, including controlling the way the body reacts to particular foods and the feeling one gets from eating9. The particular cannabinoid receptor within the endocannabinoid system that is associated with appetite regulation is CB1. The CB1 receptor stimulates eating behavior by triggering hunger and fullness, offering pleasure after eating, and making food more palatable.
Medical cannabis contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a cannabinoid that has long been found to directly affect this CB1 receptor, thus stimulating hunger and increasing the pleasure felt when eating6. In animal trials, cannabinoids have shown to enhance appetite and the promotion of feeding6,8. Those suffering from anorexia will be better able to return to a healthy body weight if they feel hungry and enjoy eating.
In one study, a cannabis-based drug showed to be a safe and effective treatment method for anorexia associated with AIDS5. Evidence also suggests that cannabis may help cachexia patients increase their energy and physical activity levels, which in turn could lower the risk of atrophy and improve mood. A 2015 study found that adult women with severe anorexia nervosa treated with cannabis medication saw a modest increase in physical activity1.
FINDINGS FROM RECENT STUDIES ON CANNABIS’ EFFECT ON ANOREXIA
• Medical marijuana treatment caused significant increase in body mass index in 24 anorexic adult women.
Changes in IGF-I, urinary free cortisol and adipokines during dronabinol therapy in anorexia nervosa: Results from a randomised, controlled trial.
(http://www.growthhormoneigfresearch.c...)
• Women with severe, long-lasting anorexia nervosa given THC medication for four weeks saw greater average weight gain compared to those women given a placebo.
Dronabinol in severe, enduring anorexia nervosa: a randomized controlled trial.
(http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/d...)
• Anorexic women treated with cannabis medicine saw modest increase in physical activity and energy level.
Effect of dronabinol therapy on physical activity in anorexia nervosa: a randomised, controlled trial.
(http://link.springer.com/article/10.1...)
References:
1.http://www.growthhormoneigfresearch.c....
2.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/d....
3.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1....
4.https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/.
5. http://www.jpsmjournal.com/article/08....
6. http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v27...
7.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti....
8.http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v30....
9.http://www.eurekaselect.com/111826/ar....
#Cannabis #Anorexia #weed #marijuana #healing #medicine #THC #CBD
