Already have low body weight, still, have fears of gaining weight? Getting diet aids, misusing laxatives, exercising excessively, and making other efforts to lose weight? Cooking food for others without eating? Denies feeling hungry?
Have you noticed these signs over the past few weeks? If so, you have anorexia nervosa!
But, don’t worry! You aren’t alone in this world who have this eating disorder!
At least 30 million Americans of all age groups and genders have an eating disorder.
And, the good news is—there’s a natural treatment available for anorexia and other eating disorders—medical marijuana.
Despite cannabis being listed among the Schedule 1 Drugs by the DEA, several US states have legalized it for medical purposes. With a certified doctor’s medical marijuana recommendation San Jose, you can purchase cannabis products from any state-licensed dispensary.
Like many, you might have a question—how can the herb work for alleviating the symptoms of anorexia? Read on for more information.
Anorexia is a life-threatening eating disorder, which is characterized by excessive weight loss and lack of appetite. Patients with this condition often have body dysmorphia, inability to stop thinking about perceived flaws in one’s appearance. So, they do extreme efforts to lose bodyweight, which aren’t required.
A characteristic feature of marijuana—munchies makes it an effective treatment for eating disorders such as anorexia. After consuming cannabis, people get a strong desire to eat food, thus can increase weight.
The herb also treats anorexia at the psychological level—relieving anxiety about eating. Let’s discuss how it works.
The human body comprises a biological system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It exists in the brain regions, thus controlling calorie intake, energy, and other functions. The ECS comprises a wide range of cannabinoid receptors – CB1 receptors have orexigenic effects increasing appetite and the rewarding value of food. When CB1 receptors are deficient, they can link to behaviors found in patients suffering from eating disorders. Cannabinoids present in cannabis can help in fixing this problem.
According to a 2011 study, dysfunctional regulations and imbalances in the ECS are prominent among patients with eating disorders. And, correcting the endocannabinoid deficiencies could prove therapeutically valuable.
Anorexia occurs due to body image issues and food restrictions. Recently, King’s College London, University of North Carolina, and Stanford researchers concluded that anorexia is correlated with schizophrenia and neuroticism. So, anorexia is a psychiatric illness, and the brain’s deficiency in CB1 receptors causes this. And, marijuana provides an effective solution.
Many think that munchies develop overeating or binge-eating disorders. Wrong! Cannabis helps those who have no desire to eat as well as those who lose control over food intake. By choosing the right strain (high CBD and low THC levels) can help you get off the risks of munchies.
Furthermore, researchers have found that cannabis users have lower fasting insulin levels, fat mass, and body mass index.
It’s necessary to note that cannabinoids affect each patient differently, so always consult an MMJ doctor in San Jose to get professional advice for choosing the right cannabis strain for your condition.
Cannabis’ effects such as munchies and treating mental health conditions prove that it can be used as an effective treatment for anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. You should carefully consider the positive and negative effects of the herb before starting medical marijuana treatment. Also, there’re various factors that may influence outcomes—dosing, strains, and consumption methods (smoking, edibles, tinctures, etc.).
If your loved one or you have anorexia or other eating disorders, seek professional help from a reputed medical marijuana recommendation San Jose provider. You can also ask your doctor about marijuana treatment for eating disorders during the appointment.