According to the National Eating Disorder Association, approximately 20 million women and 10 million men in the United States of America suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime. The most common eating disorders are—anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
Just a few puffs and a marijuana user start saying, “I’m feeling hungry.” Because it causes munchies, does this mean that Bakersfield marijuana works well for treating eating disorders?
Many say that cannabis makes eating more enjoyable and food taste better. While others say that they don’t have body image distortion issues and think nothing will happen if they eat pizza or their favorite foods.
What the truth? How does marijuana interact with the endocannabinoid system of the body? How does the herb for patients with eating disorders work? Read on for detailed information.
Endocannabinoid System (ECS) And Appetite
The human body has an endocannabinoid system in the brain, which controls food intake. It comprises cannabinoid receptors. CB1 receptors are associated with appetite and reward with food. The deficiency of CB1 can cause changes in behaviors and traits in people, thus leading to eating disorders.
Medical marijuana can help in correcting the endocannabinoid deficiency, thus alleviating symptoms of eating disorders.
According to recent research, anorexia is correlated with neuroticism and schizophrenia, saying that it’s a psychiatric illness. In fact, eating disorders are due to the brain’s deficiency of CB1 receptors. And, Bakersfield marijuana provides treatment.
Marijuana for Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is associated with excessive weight loss and self-starvation. Patients with this condition have a fear of fatness, thus do excessive efforts to lose weight. They often hide food and avoid eating with other people.
Smoking Bakersfield marijuana causes munchies—making people eat more and gain weight. Researchers have found that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) stimulates appetite by making the food smell and taste more acutely.
Additionally, THC fits into the brain’s receptors, which control various bodily functions including appetite. The brain has its own cannabinoids that fit into the receptors and the phytocannabinoids work by mimicking their activity.
A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that THC interacts with the receptors in the hypothalamus, thus releasing ghrelin, a hormone that increases appetite.
Marijuana for Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder characterized by binge eating and then purging. Patients with this disorder may lose control over eating and then try to lose weight through unhealthy ways. These include self-induce vomiting, misuse laxatives, excessive exercising, weight loss supplements.
Munchies seem to have negative effects on the patients with bulimia nervosa. A lot of eating means more effort to lose weight.
Actually, this doesn’t happen. Smoking cannabis makes eating more pleasurable. Thus, instead of feeling guilty, Bakersfield marijuana helps patients enjoy food and receive calming effects.
What about patients who binge or overeats?
The effects of munchies can be minimized by choosing high strains with low THC and high CBD counts.
Additionally, research shows that marijuana consumers have lower fat mass, fasting insulin levels, and body mass index.
Final Words
So, can cannabis help in treating eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia? Medical researchers say so. Cannabinoids present in cannabis fit in the cannabinoid receptors found in the body’s endocannabinoid system. This helps in regulating various bodily functions such as mood, appetite, etc.
Smoking marijuana causes munchies—a strong desire to eat. However, binge eaters can reduce the dangers of munchies by choosing high CBD strains.
If you’re dealing with an eating disorder and considering medical cannabis as a treatment option, seek professional help. This is because everyone has a different condition, and require different strains and dosage.
Talk to a licensed doctor to apply for your Bakersfield marijuana card.