In today’s world, eating disorders have become common and are experienced by thousands of individuals. Many people struggle with maintaining a healthy weight and relationship with food. In this scenario, conventional approaches to treatment for eating disorders often fall insufficient. Medical marijuana has recently gained public interest as advanced research explores more in this area of study. The qualities of MMJ as a therapeutic drug have helped explore its medicinal application in modern healthcare. Individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia can use MMJ if they are eligible for its use after consultation with a medical marijuana doctor.
In this article, we will discuss anorexia as an eating disorder and how medical marijuana can effectively be used as an alternative drug along with conventional treatment.
Anorexia Nervosa: A Closer Look
Anorexia is an eating disorder that causes an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted image of your own body, and a reduced desire to eat. Individuals who have anorexia tend to restrict their food intake, avoid certain foods, and over-exercise physically, resulting in significant weight loss.
Malnutrition, organ damage, and other major health concerns can follow. Biological, psychological, and environmental factors can all contribute to an eating disorder.
Anorexia may sometimes cause various health issues, including cardiovascular disease, depression, and even pain and nausea.
In most cases, it is managed with a variety of psychiatric therapies, nutritional advice, and medicinal treatment. Nevertheless, complementary treatment approaches are also gaining traction.
Signs and symptoms of anorexia
The symptoms of anorexia can be physical and psychological. Among some of them are:
Fear of weight gain: Individuals having signs of anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight and deny themselves food to maintain weight.
Distorted self-image: Individuals with anorexia tend to have a distorted perception of their body.
Refusal to maintain a healthy weight: Patients with anorexia often avoid eating or limit their food intake to reduce weight.
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Denial of hunger: People with anorexia often ignore their body’s signals of hunger and deny themselves food.
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Excessive exercise: Patients often use excessive exercise to lose weight and maintain a low weight.
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Fatigue and weakness: People often experience fatigue and weakness due to malnutrition and lack of food.
If you note any of these symptoms, it is necessary to contact a healthcare expert. Anorexia can have severe consequences if left untreated, thus, you must speak to a doctor to get the right therapy on time.
Role of Cannabis in Anorexia Management
There is growing research on the potential link between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. The ECS includes lipids and receptors that help in regulating some physiological functions in the body. This system controls hunger, mood and various other functions.
Some studies suggest that disruptions in their ECS can cause eating disorders. This imbalance could impact how they regulate appetite and respond to reward signals from food. However, the research is ongoing, and a clear cause-and-effect relationship has not been established.
The Munchies Effect
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in marijuana, interacts with the ECS in a similar way to the body’s natural endocannabinoids. This interaction can stimulate appetite, which is why marijuana use is often associated with increased food cravings (the “munchies”).
While THC may offer help in coping with anorexia by stimulating appetite, it is important to avoid self-medicating cannabis. Self-treating anorexia by using medical cannabis without an expert’s supervision and guidance can cause unwanted health outcomes. Therefore, reaching out to a medical marijuana expert is necessary.
Pain Relief and Nausea control
In cases where anorexia is complicated by physical discomfort or pain, medical marijuana may provide relief. It can make eating more comfortable for individuals who are struggling with anorexia.
Medical marijuana can also help to manage nausea and vomiting, which are among the symptoms experienced by individuals with anorexia. It can make eating and retaining food more easy for those affected by these symptoms.
It is important to note that while some individuals claim to benefit from using medical marijuana as part of their anorexia management, the scientific evidence supporting its efficacy in anorexia management is limited.
Varieties of MMJ
You must note that medical marijuana is available in a variety of forms such as gummies, candies, drinks, sodas, teas, capsules, topicals etc. Thus, any patient who is eligible for its use can approach a medical marijuana doctor to navigate the options for marijuana intake. Furthermore, you must get a medical marijuana card before using this drug.
The Takeaway
Anorexia is a distressing condition and requires medical intervention. Medical marijuana can potentially serve as a therapeutic drug for managing anorexia.. It has vital ingredients that can stimulate appetite, reduce nausea, and manage other symptoms. However, expert discretion and consultation with a medical marijuana doctor remain the prerequisites for adding cannabis to your treatment regimen.