A study found that the use of Epidiolox, an FDA-approved, plant-derived formulation of cannabidinol (CBD), promotes weight gain in patients with anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by extreme and persistent body dissatisfaction and a fear of gaining weight. The Food and Drug Administration approved Epidiolex in 2018 to treat intractable forms of childhood epilepsy, and since then, researchers have explored this product’s efficacy in managing symptoms of other disorders. The researchers assessed the tolerability, safety, pharmacokinetics, and symptom improvement and published the findings in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Researchers affiliated with the University of Southern California and the University of California at San Diego conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the twice-daily use of Epidiolex versus placebo in 32 women diagnosed with anorexia. The patients consumed a placebo or standardized doses of either CBD for 21 days. The research team increased the dose weekly from 1.25 mg/kg twice daily to a maximum of 6.25 mg/kg twice daily, and they monitored the patients’ liver function, metabolite levels, and severity of anxiety, depression, and eating disorder symptoms.
The participants who consumed CBD reported no serious side effects and showed a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) over time compared with the placebo group. Only a few participants reported mild adverse events. The study indicated that CBD demonstrated a favorable safety profile in women with anorexia. It offered a tolerable way to support weight recovery and improved eating disorder psychopathology.
The study highlights the need for additional research on CBD’s ability to support weight recovery for those suffering from anorexia. Using a larger sample size and a longer course will illuminate the mechanism through which CBD impacts anorexia pathophysiology. The researchers believe that combining CBD with other treatment strategies, such as a specific diet and psychological counseling, may offer a more robust therapeutic treatment.
Sources: International Journal of Eating Disorders, NORML
