People with Anorexia Nervosa have very complicated relationships with food, and they take extra measures to keep their weight down. For most this is by avoiding eating or excessively exercising, and it is often accompanied by feeling an intense anxiety around the subject of food.
For some with anorexia, medical cannabis or cannabis-based treatments may be of benefit because of the cannabinoid contents they contain, and their potentials as an appetite stimulant, and a stress reliever.
However, because medical cannabis is not yet licensed in the UK, and is typically only prescribed by private medical cannabis clinics like Releaf, cannabis-based anorexia treatments are only considered when other conventional options have failed to meet the needs of the patient.
Medical cannabis contains two key components, or cannabinoids, called THC and CBD, that may be able to offer therapeutic value to those with anorexia. THC can bind to receptors in our brains, including those in the hypothalamus, which is responsible for controlling food intake. It’s believed that when THC interacts with these receptors, it can increase a person’s appetite, which may be useful for those who are recovering from anorexia.
The second key component, CBD, has demonstrated potential in combating the triggers of comorbid conditions such as anxiety and stress due to its ability to interact with, and boost, natural serotonin production.