According to the 11th edition of the World Health Organization's classification of diseases, ICD-11, there are several types of eating disorders in adolescents and adults, of which the three most frequently diagnosed are : anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. Scientific research confirms that CBD can complement the treatment of eating disorders, e.g. as an addition to psychotherapy.

Anorexia nervosa – anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa, or anorexia nervosa, is a long-term, rigorous restriction of food. Sick women and girls (anorexia affects women much more often than men) only allow themselves to consume low-calorie foods and drinks, and focus excessively and obsessively on physical exercises aimed at burning calories.

Disturbed self-perception, significant weight loss and a strong fear of gaining weight are characteristic symptoms. In anorexia, the mortality rate ranges from 3.2% if the disease lasts less than 15 years, up to 6.6% of cases if the disease lasts more than 15 years.

The most common cause of death is extreme exhaustion and wasting of the body. The immediate cause is cardiac arrest due to pericardial fluid or suicide . Indirectly, excessive alcohol consumption, anxiety and depression may contribute to the suicides of people suffering from anorexia.

Patients often suffer from serious psychosocial consequences of the disease for years, including:

insulation,
family conflicts,
problems in everyday social functioning.

The medical consequences of anorexia include:

cortical atrophy in the brain,
permanent neuropsychic deficits,
epileptic seizures,
depression,
osteoporosis,
Heart arythmia,
cyanosis,
growth inhibition,
inhibition of psychosexual development,
loss of menstruation and libido,
hunger swelling,
muscle, abdominal and stomach pain,
impaired functioning of the kidneys and liver,
emaciation and exhaustion of the body.

Bulimia nervosa – bulimia

Bulimia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa, is a persistent focus on food, accompanied by a strong desire or feeling of compulsion to eat. The patient usually tries to overcome them by starving herself, and in the meantime episodes of overeating occur.

In order not to gain weight, a sick person induces vomiting and excretion and uses medications, e.g. appetite suppressants. People suffering from bulimia, similarly to anorexia, attach great importance to their figure and body weight.

Some medical consequences of bulimia:

metabolic disorders,
electrolyte disorders,
vitamin deficiencies,
damage to the throat and esophagus,
dysregulated intestinal function related to the abuse of laxatives,
tooth enamel erosion,
weakness,
headaches,
neuropathies,
seizures,

Psychosocial consequences:

insulation,
subordinating functioning to bulimic cycles,
lack of close relationships,
sudden weight fluctuations, significant weight loss.

Eating disorders with binge eating disorder (BED)

Binge eating disorders (BED) are recurrent episodes of overeating. It is often associated with self-dissatisfaction, guilt, and depressive episodes related to lack of control over eating. Part of the medical community recognizes that binge eating syndrome is a form of bulimia. The only difference is that it does not involve vomiting, purging and starvation, or compulsive physical exercise typical of bulimia. This causes sick people to gain weight rather than lose it.

Other types of eating disorders recognized in ICD-11:

other specific feeding or eating disorder (OSFED),

eating disorders involving avoidance or restriction of food intake (AFRID),

non-specific feeding or eating disorders, unspecified.

CBD for the treatment of eating disorders

The endocannabinoid system is described as a modulator of many physiological processes.
In the context of eating disorders, the overall balance (homeostasis) of the body and the experience of pleasure from eating are particularly important. CB1 endocannabinoid system receptors are abundant in areas of the brain responsible for controlling eating, the dopamine reward system, and maintaining optimal energy levels.

Some researchers believe that CB1 receptors in humans and other mammals stimulate appetite and cause the reward system to respond after eating. However, this process also involves substances that inhibit eating excessive amounts of food (CB1 receptor antagonists). They can stop overeating .

Data collected by researchers dealing with the pharmacotherapy of eating disorders indicate that CBD can be used in those types of disorders in which patients gain significantly weight (e.g. the above-mentioned BED) or those in which they refrain from eating for a long time (e.g. anorexia ).

Some studies have proven that in animal models of BED, blocking CB1 receptors inhibits overeating and contributes to a significant weight loss. side effects appeared - anxiety and depression.

Therefore, research focused on finding substances that could only block CB1 receptors located in parts of the brain associated with the control of eating and the reward system . In this context, researchers rely on synthetic CBD and other substances that are regional antagonists of ECS receptors.

CBD and THC as support for psychotherapy of eating disorders

Scientists have concluded that hemp cannabinoids may be a good support for psychotherapy in the treatment of patients with anorexia, including: help them gain distance from their eating behaviors and see them in a different, more realistic light.

Anorexia is additionally associated with abnormal secretion of the hunger hormone - ghrelin. It can be expected that CBD and THC therapy may influence the regulation of the level of this hormone. When combined with psychotherapy, it can work to change patients' relationships with food.

Scientists believe that on blood glucose also has an impact on the treatment of eating disorders CBD regulates blood sugar levels and therefore keeps appetite at an optimal level. This may inhibit binge eating attacks in people suffering from e.g. bulimia.