Emotions are one of the factors influencing our relationship with food, and difficulty regulating one's own emotional states is a common symptom accompanying eating disorders. In some forms of eating disorders, the hemp phytocannabinoids CBD and THC can have beneficial effects on the physical and mental health of patients, regulating appetite and the amount of food consumed.

What are eating disorders?

Perception of hunger and satiety

The processes involved in feeling the need to eat are regulated by the hunger and satiety center located in the hypothalamus - a small part of the brain responsible for regulating physiological processes related to the body's homeostasis. The hypothalamus receives and processes information reaching the brain via hormones and other substances that are secreted by the body in connection with food intake or, conversely, lack thereof.

The hunger center and the satiety center receive metabolic, hormonal, thermal and motor signals (such as stomach contractions). These signals stimulate one center while inhibiting the other. Hunger is a signal that our body is beginning to run out of energy ("fuel"), the drop in glucose levels or palpable stomach cramps, among other things, are responsible for its sensation.

Eating disorders

A healthy relationship with food is when we satisfy our hunger when it arises, have an appetite and derive pleasure from eating, but do not overeat - The feeling of satiety is a cue for us not to eat more. We are able to plan our meals in such a way that they provide us with the necessary nutrients and energy. 

According to the DSM-5 (diagnostic criteria. mental disorders American Psychiatric Association), eating disorders are manifested by persistent disordered eating behaviors that affect the body's nutritional status, interfere with food absorption and negatively affect the health and psychosocial functioning of the sufferer. 

Eating disorders can be mild or severe, and are rated on a four-point scale. According to statistics, about 6% cases of all eating disorders end in death. The most common immediate cause of death is cachexia. There is a high suicide rate among sufferers. 

A disturbed relationship with food affects women and girls much more often than men. According to data collected in the United States in 2018-2019, there were 4.39 million cases of eating disorders in women/girls and 1.09 million cases in men/boys nationwide. The most commonly diagnosed eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia and eating disorders with bouts of uncontrolled overeating. They are discussed in detail here.

Eating disorders and emotions

In psychology, the term "emotional hunger" is used, indicating that appetite or the need to eat is not always associated with the feeling of hunger. The desire/need to eat, according to psychologists, may result from the need to regulate the emotions experienced at a given moment. Food plays a moderating role here: it reinforces or inhibits emotions, and is unrelated to whether or not the body needs food at that moment. In emotional hunger, people eat even though they don't feel hungry until they feel emotionally satiated. 

Emotional hunger usually appears suddenly, and involves a specific type of food, which can change depending on what emotions are involved in the situation. Food can inhibit negative emotions and enhance positive ones, and there is often talk of "comfort food," or food that can help with emotional regulation - influencing what emotions we feel at what intensity. 

Emotion regulation and eating disorders

Disturbed self-regulation of emotions is often associated with an abnormal pattern of eating behavior, i.e. inappropriate quantity, quality and frequency of eating. Eating cessation or overeating may be related to perceived stress that the person is unable to regulate, anxiety or co-occurring depression. 

Psychology says that patients' attitudes toward eating reflects the emotions and emotional needs they seek to express in the form of eating behavior. They may also satisfy or suppress emotions or needs in this way.

Visible in relation to food, problems may also include difficulties in accepting oneself (the whole person, appearance, gender, weight), difficulties in realizing and expressing the emotions felt, difficulties in asking for help or traumatic experiences that the person cannot cope with.

The endocannabinoid system, CBD and appetite

The endocannabinoid system (ECS), whose receptors bind to the CBD and other hemp cannabinoids, is involved in the regulation of the hunger and satiety center. The endocannabinoid system also has an important role in the regulation of mood, and therefore may be one of the targets of the treatment of eating disorders related to emotions.

ECS modulates many physiological processes. CB1 receptors are abundant in areas of the brain that are responsible for controlling food intake, the dopamine reward system and maintaining optimal energy levels. Scientists believe that in humans and other mammals, CB1 receptors stimulate appetite and cause the reward system to respond after food intake. 

On the other hand, in this process, there are also substances that temporarily block the CB1 receptor inhibit the intake of excessive food - inhibit overeating.

Data collected by the researchers suggest that the CBD can be used in both types of disorders, in which individuals overeat and gain weight significantly, as well as those in which they abstain from food for long periods of time (anorexia). 

In addition, activation of CB1 receptors at CBD aid can: 

• increase appetite, 
• Reduce anxiety and persistent weight-related thoughts, 
• Serve as psychological therapy support for people who suffer from anorexia and bulimia. 

THC, anorexia and appetite

Results of a study published in the Israel Journal of Psychiatry show the positive effects of low doses of THC on young women experiencing anorexia. Participants in the study reported that:

•  experienced fewer depressive symptoms during THC therapy. 
• had less need for so-called "ascetic behavior" (starvation, intense exercise and other self-limiting behaviors),
• had a lower sense of lack of agency. 

Researchers have found that cannabis can be a good support for psychotherapy in people with anorexia, as it can facilitate gaining distance from eating behavior and help them look at it more realistically. They may also improve appetite once sufferers start eating.