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

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa, also known as anorexia, is a long-term, rigorous restriction of food intake. Affected women and girls (anorexia affects women much more often than men) allow themselves to consume only low-calorie foods and beverages, and they excessively and obsessively focus on physical exercise aimed at burning calories.

Disturbed self-perception, significant weight loss, and a strong fear of gaining weight are characteristic symptoms. The mortality rate for anorexia ranges from 3.21 TP3T for those with duration less than 15 years to 6.61 TP3T for those with duration greater than 15 years.

The most common cause of death is extreme exhaustion and wasting. The direct cause is cardiac arrest due to pericardial effusion or suicide. Indirectly, excessive alcohol consumption, anxiety, and depression may contribute to suicide in individuals with anorexia.

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

insulation,
conflicts in the family,
problems in everyday social functioning.

The medical consequences of anorexia include:

cortical atrophy in the brain,
permanent neuropsychological deficits,
epileptic seizures,
depression,
osteoporosis,
heart rhythm disturbances,
cyanosis,
growth retardation,
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 nervosa, also known as bulimia nervosa, is a persistent preoccupation with food, accompanied by a strong desire or compulsion to eat. The patient typically tries to overcome this by starving themselves, while binge eating episodes occur.

To avoid gaining weight, sufferers induce vomiting and excretion, and use medications, such as appetite suppressants. People with bulimia, similarly to those with anorexia, place great importance on their figure and weight.

Some medical consequences of bulimia:

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

Psychosocial consequences:

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

Eating disorders with episodes of uncontrolled overeating – binge eating disorder (BED)

Eating disorders with episodes of uncontrolled overeating Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of overeating. It is often associated with self-dissatisfaction, guilt, and depressive episodes related to a lack of control over eating. Some medical professionals consider binge eating disorder to be a form of bulimia, with the only difference being that it lacks the vomiting, purging, fasting, and compulsive exercise typical of bulimia. This causes sufferers to gain weight rather than lose it.

Other types of eating disorders distinguished in ICD-11:

other specific feeding or eating disorder (OSFED),

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

feeding or eating disorder, unspecified.

CBD in the treatment of eating disorders

The endocannabinoid system has been described as a modulator of many physiological processes.
In the context of eating disorders, overall body balance (homeostasis) and the experience of pleasure from food are particularly important. CB1 endocannabinoid system receptors are abundant in brain regions 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 trigger a reward response after eating. However, this process also involves substances that inhibit excessive eating (CB1 receptor antagonists). They may inhibit binge eating.

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 significant weight (e.g., the aforementioned BED) or those in which they refrain from eating for a long time (e.g., anorexia).

Some studies have shown that blocking CB1 receptors inhibits binge eating and contributes to significant weight loss in animal models of BED. However, when these receptors were completely blocked, side effects – anxiety and depression.

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

CBD and THC as support for psychotherapy in eating disorders

Scientists found that hemp cannabinoids They can be a good support for psychotherapy in patients with anorexia, including helping them gain distance from eating-related behaviors and see them in a different, more realistic light.

Anorexia is also associated with abnormal secretion of the hunger hormone ghrelin. It can be expected that CBD and THC therapy may affect level adjustment this hormone. Combined with psychotherapy, it can help change patients' relationships with food.

Scientists believe that CBD's effect on blood glucose also plays a role in treating eating disorders. CBD regulates blood sugar levels, thus maintaining optimal appetite. This may inhibit binge eating in people with conditions such as bulimia.