# Cannabidiol in Anorexia Nervosa: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Pilot Study > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabidiol-anorexia-nervosa-study-safety-symptom-change/ > **Published:** 2026-04-27T07:01:29-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T16:02:11-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the cannabidiol anorexia nervosa study assessing safety, pharmacokinetics, and symptom change in a double-blind randomized trial. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #100High Clinical Relevance  Strong evidence or policy relevance with direct clinical implications. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Journal The International journal of eating disorders Study Type Randomized Trial Population Human participants Why This Matters This item covers developments relevant to [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) and clinical practice. Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material. Clinical Summary 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](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/) 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 Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should review this item in the context of their current practice and patient population. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-industry/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Cannabidiol%20in%20Anorexia%20Nervosa%3A%20A%20Double-Blind%20Randomized%20Placebo%20Controlled%20Pilot%20Study%20to%20Test%20Sa...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabidiol-in-anorexia-nervosa-a-double-blind-randomized-placebo-controlle%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabidiol-in-anorexia-nervosa-a-double-blind-randomized-placebo-controlle%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Cannabidiol%20in%20Anorexia%20Nervosa%3A%20A%20Double-Blind%20Randomized%20Placebo%20Controlled%20Pilot%20Study%20to%20Test%20Sa...%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabidiol-in-anorexia-nervosa-a-double-blind-randomized-placebo-controlle%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41906184/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41906184/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[How was the CBD trial in anorexia nervosa designed?](#How_was_the_CBD_trial_in_anorexia_nervosa_designed) - [What dose of CBD did participants in the trial receive?](#What_dose_of_CBD_did_participants_in_the_trial_receive) - [What outcomes did the researchers measure in the CBD anorexia trial?](#What_outcomes_did_the_researchers_measure_in_the_CBD_anorexia_trial) - [Why would researchers study CBD for anorexia nervosa?](#Why_would_researchers_study_CBD_for_anorexia_nervosa) - [Related](#Related) ## 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](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/) as a possible source of therapeutic benefit, particularly in reducing anxiety. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [New research suggests cannabinoids like CBD and CBG may help improve fatty liver disease.](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-fatty-liver-clinical-relevance/) Discover emerging evidence on cannabinoids such as CBD and CBG in improving [fatty liver disease](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-receptor-type-1-antagonist-obesity-steatohepatitis/), highlighting potential therapeutic roles. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-fatty-liver-clinical-relevance/) [Medical Cannabis Significantly Reduced Use of Opioids and Other Rx Drugs](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-opioid-alternatives-reduce-rx-drug-use/) Explore how [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) use has been linked to reduced reliance on opioids and prescription medications in clinical settings. [Read Article](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-opioid-alternatives-reduce-rx-drug-use/) [[Academic] Seeking Participants for Study on Cannabis + Sexual Health (18+, female, cannabis user)](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-sexual-health-study-female-participants/) Participate in an academic study investigating the effects of cannabis on [sexual health](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-sexual-behavior-study/) among adult female cannabis users. [Join Study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-sexual-health-study-female-participants/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).