Eating disorders are not just about what you eat or don't eat. They are often a reflection of deep pain, silent struggles against one's own image, against anxiety, or the emptiness that persists in a complex world.

Among the attempts to find relief, some people have turned to cannabis, not as a cure, but as a way to alleviate symptoms and rebalance emotions.

What are eating disorders

These mental health conditions affect millions of people worldwide and involve persistent patterns of thoughts and behaviors related to food and the body. Among the most common are:

Anorexia nervosa – severe food restriction and body image distortion.

Bulimia nervosa – binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting or fasting.

Binge-eating disorder – consuming large amounts of food in a short time, accompanied by guilt and shame.

The consequences go beyond the relationship with food: they include weakening of the immune system, cardiovascular risk, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, and, in severe cases, premature death.

Multifactorial causes

Eating disorders do not have a single cause. They result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors, such as:

Genetic: family history, hormonal and brain changes.

Environmental: bullying, aesthetic pressure, body criticisms, work environments or hobbies that require thinness.

Psychological: low self-esteem, perfectionism, trauma, anxiety, or depression.

Cannabis in treatment

Research indicates that patients with anorexia or other eating disorders have elevated levels of anandamide, suggesting a relationship between the Endocannabinoid System, ghrelin, and food cravings. A study from Michigan State University, involving 33,000 patients, showed that cannabis users gained weight, but to a lesser extent than non-users. Tests by Can-Fite Bio Pharma indicate that CBD fractions may reduce fat cell expansion by up to 60%, although still in the experimental phase.

Reported benefits:

• Appetite stimulation, useful in cases of anorexia.
• Reduction of anxiety and stress around eating.
• Analgesic action against physical pains related to the condition.
• Mood regulation and reduction of depressive symptoms.

Potential risks:

• Aggravation of psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety and depression.
• Cognitive deficits (attention, memory, reasoning).
• Possibility of dependence.
• Side effects like dry mouth, dizziness, tachycardia, and fatigue.

Recognized treatments

Today, the most effective care approaches involve integrated methods:
Psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy.

• Medication, for associated anxiety and depression.
• Nutritional counseling, to rebuild healthy eating habits.
• Residential treatment, in severe cases, with intensive multiprofessional support.

Cannabis may, in some contexts, serve as a complementary therapy, but always under specialized medical supervision.

Given the complexity of eating disorders, there is no single or magical solution. What is needed is a support network, professional treatment, and public policies that enhance access to care.

With information from StayHonest.