The systematic review, which was meticulously published in the renowned scientific journal, Eating and Weight Disorders, in the year 2021, brought to light some remarkable findings. It revealed a rather poignant lack of comprehensive research in the concerned domain. The research paper was dedicated to investigating the potential impact of cannabinoids on tackling weight gain and other related outcomes in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa, a serious and life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Out of the numerous studies conducted worldwide, only two unique randomized controlled trials (RCTs) qualified to be deemed eligible for the evaluation of evidence in this specific context. Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard in clinical research as they allow the most accurate comparison between treatment and control groups. In these selected trials, the intervention group was given cannabinoids, while the control group was given a placebo. However, a detailed analysis of these two trials unearthed some significant inconsistencies. Only one of the two RCTs was meticulously designed and powered with a low degree of bias, adhering to the stringent guidelines that govern clinical research. This well-structured trial yielded some promising results, which were impossible to ignore. The study found that dronabinol, a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis that induces the ‘high’ feeling, proved effective in augmenting weight gain and significantly improving the mood in patients suffering from severe, enduring anorexia nervosa when compared to the placebo group. This discovery opened a potentially new therapeutic avenue in treating anorexia nervosa, a disorder that often proves resistant to many traditional forms of treatment. On the other hand, the second RCT, unfortunately, was less well designed and was riddled with certain biases. This often happens when researchers unintentionally influence the outcome of a study due to their expectations or interest in a particular result. Because of these biases, the trial’s results were far less decisive and reliable. The study reported no discernible difference between the group treated with cannabinoid and the placebo group, casting doubts on the effectiveness of cannabinoids in aiding weight gain or improving other outcomes in anorexia nervosa patients. The stark contrast between the two studies underscores the need for more rigorous, high-quality research in this field. With the potential that cannabinoids like dronabinol have demonstrated, it’s crucial to further explore their role with comprehensive and well-designed clinical trials. This will ensure that any conclusions drawn are based on robust, unbiased evidence, paving the way for potential breakthroughs in anorexia nervosa treatment.

Overall, the evidence for the use of cannabinoids in anorexia nervosa is still limited, but the results of the one well-designed RCT suggest that they may be a promising new treatment option for this condition. More research is needed to confirm their safety and efficacy, and to investigate the potential benefits of different cannabinoid compounds and delivery methods.

It is also important to note that cannabinoids can have psychoactive effects, which may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, cannabinoids can interact with other medications, and they can be addictive. It is important to talk to your doctor before using cannabinoids, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions.

If you are struggling with anorexia nervosa, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you recover. Please reach out to a trusted friend or family member, or contact a professional eating disorder treatment program for support.

1. link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40519-020-00891-x#:~:text=Effects%20of%20cannabinoids%20on%20weight,other%20study%2C%20Andries%20et%20al.

According to a systematic review of the literature, cannabinoids have been found to increase appetite, which may be beneficial in the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) ¹. The review identified only four studies that met the inclusion criteria, and only two of these were original studies. Both of these were Randomized Controlled Trials that explored the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) or dronabinol in AN. One study was properly designed and powered and showed a weight increase of an added 1 kg over 4 weeks over placebo ¹. Dronabinol has been found to have a weight increasing effect in AN, while Δ9-THC at a high dose found no effect and where the dose may have counteracted the weight gaining effects due to adverse events ¹. More research on cannabinoids in anorexia nervosa is warranted, especially its effects on psychopathology ¹.

Learn more:

1. cancernetwork.com2. en.wikipedia.org3. goodrx.com4. link.springer.com5. psychopharmacologyinstitute.com6. bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com+5 more

Dronabinol is an active compound that has a significant impact on the human body in a variety of ways. To fully understand the inner workings of how this compound affects the body, we must first understand what dronabinol is. Dronabinol is a synthetic form of a naturally occurring compound found in Cannabis sativa, more commonly known as marijuana. Specifically, it is a man-made version of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Interestingly, dronabinol has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific uses in the medical field due to its unique properties and effects on the body. It is often used in treating conditions such as nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, and as an appetite stimulant for individuals with weight loss associated with AIDS. But how does it accomplish these tasks? To comprehend how dronabinol operates within the body, it’s essential to recognize our body’s unique system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system, present in all vertebrates, helps regulate a variety of physiological and cognitive processes, including fertility, pregnancy, pre- and postnatal development, various activity of the immune system, appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory. The ECS primarily works through two types of receptors, CB1 and CB2, which are found throughout the body. THC, and thus dronabinol, can bind to these receptors. This binding action is where dronabinol starts to exert its effects on the body. When dronabinol enters the body, it targets the CB1 receptors, which are found predominantly in the brain and spinal cord in the central nervous system, but are also dispersed throughout other parts of the body. Once it binds to these receptors, it can affect the signaling pathways of the body’s cells. For example, when it comes to reducing nausea and vomiting, dronabinol interferes with the signaling that tells the body to feel sick, thereby alleviating these symptoms. In the case of appetite stimulation, the CB1 receptors have a significant influence on our food intake by regulating our sense of hunger and fullness. When dronabinol activates these receptors, it can stimulate appetite in patients who need assistance in maintaining or gaining weight. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that as dronabinol has psychoactive effects, it may also lead to altered sensory experiences, changes in mood, and impairments in memory and cognition. These potential side effects tie back to the compound’s activity on the ECS and its influence on neural circuits involved in these processes. In summary, the effects of dronabinol on the body are complex and multifaceted, working primarily through the intricate endocannabinoid system. It operates through the interaction with the system’s receptors to regulate various physiological and cognitive processes, making it a valuable tool in addressing specific medical conditions.

Dronabinol is a synthetic form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis (marijuana) ¹. It activates cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, which are found throughout the body, and demonstrates its effects through weak partial agonist activity at these receptors ¹². Dronabinol is approved for use in anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS and for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional antiemetic treatments ¹.

The most common side effects of dronabinol include dizziness, drowsiness, euphoria, confusion, somnolence, dry mouth, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite ³. Other less common side effects include anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and tachycardia ³.

Learn more:

1. go.drugbank.com2. medicine.com3. medicinenet.com4. tmedweb.tulane.edu+1 more

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) comprises a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors that are densely packed throughout our brains and bodies ¹. There are two known subtypes of cannabinoid receptors, termed CB1 and CB2 ². The CB1 receptor is expressed mainly in the brain (central nervous system or “CNS”), but also in the lungs, liver, and kidneys. The CB2 receptor is expressed mainly in the immune system, in hematopoietic cells, and in parts of the brain ². CB1 receptors are thought to be one of the most widely expressed Gαi protein-coupled receptors in the brain. One mechanism through which they function is endocannabinoid-mediated depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition, a very common form of retrograde signaling, in which the depolarization of a neuron induces a decrease in the release of an inhibitory neurotransmitter onto that neuron ². CB2 receptors are particularly exciting targets of drug development because they don’t cause the high associated with cannabis that stimulating the CB1 receptors does (which is often an unwanted side effect) ¹³.

Learn more:

1. health.harvard.edu2. en.wikipedia.org3. secretnaturecbd.com4. frontiersin.org