Eating disorders: can CBD be the solution?
Eating disorders: a daily nightmare
Eating disorders (EDs) are common. In France, this scourge affects nearly 10% of the population, both men and women. Anorexia, bulimia and hyperphagia are among the most common eating disorders, especially among women. Anorexia affects 80% of young women aged 13-14 and 16-17 and bulimia affects almost 75% of 11-20 year olds.
Causing damage to physical and mental health, these illnesses can lead to a complete loss of control over one's self, creating an obsession with one's body and weight that completely changes one's relationship with food. Over time, AUDs can damage organs, the heart, teeth and mouth.
Studies have shown that CBD may have a positive effect on eating disorders, allowing the individual to create a better relationship with food and return to a normal diet.
CBD for eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, we explain how it works below.
What is anorexia?
Anorexia or anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder (ED). It is characterised by the deprivation of food over a long period of time, months or even years, leading to considerable weight loss. Anorexia eventually results in a "pleasure of losing weight" and especially in the fear of regaining it.
The person suffering from anorexia has this feeling of always being overweight and constantly tries to lose weight by all means by controlling the calories of the different foods consumed or by practising intense physical activity which contributes to the loss of weight.
The perception of the body of the person concerned is then disturbed and does not recognise the seriousness of their thinness. They suffer from dysmorphophobia and must be treated.
Beware! Not to be confused with a loss of appetite which can be felt following an illness or an anxiety state.
There are many factors involved in the development of anorexia nervosa. They depend on genetic and psychological factors, but are also influenced by family, environmental and socio-cultural factors.
What is bulimia?
Bulimia nervosa, unlike anorexia, is characterised by the compulsive eating of very large quantities of food. These binges can last from a few minutes to a few hours. The food eaten is usually very fatty and very sweet and therefore very high in calories.
The person suffering from bulimia subsequently experiences feelings of shame and guilt, followed by feelings of anger and self-loathing.
In some cases, the bulimic person may vomit or take laxatives and/or diuretics after the binge. In other cases, the person may engage in sports to try to eliminate some of the calories absorbed. However, these efforts do not eliminate all the calories ingested during the crisis.
These eating disorders are generated by multiple personal and social factors.
CBD and eating disorders: how does it work?
The origins of eating disorders are multifactorial. We often speak of a mixture of different psychological, biological, environmental, social or genetic factors. According to some studies, there is a possible link between eating disorders and the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) comprises so-called receptors. Of these receptors, two in particular have been isolated: the CB1 receptor, which acts on the nervous system, and the CB2 receptor, which acts on the cells of the immune system.
These receptors regulate the actions of your body on a daily basis. Reacting directly with endogenous molecules, they can have an effect on your moods, your pain or your psychological state.
You tell us, what about CBD?
Cannabidiol works perfectly with your body's endocannabinoid system. CBD is able to interact with the cannabinoids in your body, however it is not able to bind directly to them like THC.
The goal? To regulate your daily worries thanks to its multiple virtues such as its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, soothing action and many others. CBD can help you with skin problems, for example, or alcohol addiction and of course stress and depression.
In addition, the endocannabinoid system is said to have an impact on ghrelin, the digestive hunger hormone, and consequently on appetite. It is possible that eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are in fact the result of a dysfunction or imbalance in the endocannabinoid system. CBD for eating disorders could then be your solution.
CBD's action against eating disorders: regaining self-control
CBD could well be the solution to eating disorders. Thanks to its numerous medicinal virtues, CBD could help people suffering from eating disorders by rebalancing their endocannabinoid system.
Consumption of CBD such as CBD oil or CBD infusion can stimulate the endocannabinoid system to produce cannabinoids itself. As a result, the ECS will correct the existing imbalances that caused the eating disorder.
Thus, CBD is known for its therapeutic properties to alleviate mental health ailments. In many cases, eating disorders are caused by an inner pressure to maintain a very thin, unattainable body image.
Often, people with eating disorders suffer from anxiety or depression at the same time. CBD, with its relaxing and anti-stress properties, could play an important role in regulating appetite and the stress felt at the same time.
Clinical studies are not yet sufficiently advanced to show that CBD is really effective for eating disorders, but initial studies show that cannabidiol is a good natural and safe remedy, unlike antidepressants, to help people with eating disorders.
It is advisable to talk to a professional beforehand, but CBD has proven that it can address many issues naturally and without side effects. Think about it and talk about it around you! Don't hesitate to join us on our social networks to stay informed about the wonderful properties of CBD. In the meantime,
Cake it easy,
Lindsay.