Cannabidiol in Anorexia Nervosa: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Pilot Study
| Journal | The International journal of eating disorders |
| Study Type | Randomized Trial |
| Population | Human participants |
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Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder marked by an intense fear of gaining weight and persistent body dissatisfaction, both during periods of underweight and after weight restoration. The endocannabinoid system may offer therapeutic benefits, particularly in reducing anxiety. This randomized controlled trial of cannabidiol (CBD) investigated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and symptomatic improvement in AN. In a double-blind design, women with AN or Atypical AN were randomized to receive CBD (n = 16) or placebo (n = 16) over 21 days. The dose was up-titrated weekly from 1.25 mg/kg twice daily to a maximum of 6.25 mg/kg twice daily, while assessing CBD and metabolite levels, liver function, and severity of eating disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Age at baseline was similar between the CBD and placebo group (22.9 ± 2.8 years vs. 22.5 ± 3.5 years), as was body mass index (BMI, kg/m This study suggests that CBD is well tolerated in individuals with AN. F
“This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.”
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FAQ
How was the CBD trial in anorexia nervosa designed?
It was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial. Women with anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa were randomly assigned to receive CBD (16 participants) or placebo (16 participants) for 21 days. It was published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
What dose of CBD did participants in the trial receive?
The dose was based on body weight and increased weekly, starting at 1.25 mg/kg twice daily and rising to a maximum of 6.25 mg/kg twice daily over the 21-day trial. This was the research protocol for the study, and the summary does not present it as a treatment recommendation.
What outcomes did the researchers measure in the CBD anorexia trial?
Researchers measured levels of CBD and its metabolites, liver function, and the severity of eating disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms. These measures served the trial’s aims of assessing safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and symptom improvement in anorexia nervosa.
Why would researchers study CBD for anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is a severe psychiatric disorder marked by an intense fear of gaining weight and persistent body dissatisfaction, both while underweight and after weight restoration. The summary points to the endocannabinoid system as a possible source of therapeutic benefit, particularly in reducing anxiety.
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