# Cannabidiol in Anorexia Nervosa: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Pilot Study to Test Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Symptom Change. > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cbd-anorexia-nervosa-safety-pilot-study/ > **Published:** 2026-03-30T11:01:09-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T17:23:10-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore CBD anorexia nervosa safety in a double-blind pilot study assessing tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and symptom change in patients. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #100High Clinical Relevance  Strong evidence or policy relevance with direct clinical implications. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic AnorexiaCbdAnxietySafetyRct Journal The International journal of eating disorders Study Type [Randomized Trial](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cannabinoids-therapeutic-applications-review/) Population Human participants Why This Matters This represents the first randomized controlled trial examining CBD in anorexia nervosa, a psychiatric disorder with limited treatment options and significant morbidity. The study provides crucial safety and tolerability data for CBD use in this medically fragile population. Clinical Summary This double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study randomized 32 women with anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa to receive CBD (up to 6.25 mg/kg twice daily) or placebo for 21 days. The primary outcomes focused on safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics, with secondary measures examining eating disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms. The study found CBD to be well-tolerated in this population, though the brief 21-day duration and small sample size limit conclusions about symptom efficacy. Dr. Caplan’s Take “While encouraging from a safety perspective, this pilot study’s primary value lies in establishing tolerability rather than demonstrating clinical efficacy. The 21-day timeframe is insufficient to meaningfully assess symptom improvement in anorexia nervosa, which typically requires months to years of treatment.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should view this as preliminary safety data that may inform future larger trials rather than evidence supporting clinical use. Patients with anorexia nervosa require comprehensive, evidence-based care, and CBD should not be considered a substitute for established treatments including nutritional rehabilitation and psychotherapy. 💬 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%20Pi...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41906184/)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41906184/)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Cannabidiol%20in%20Anorexia%20Nervosa%3A%20A%20Double-Blind%20Randomized%20Placebo%20Controlled%20Pi...%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41906184/)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41906184/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41906184/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Is CBD safe to use in patients with anorexia nervosa?](#Is_CBD_safe_to_use_in_patients_with_anorexia_nervosa) - [What CBD dosage was used in this anorexia nervosa study?](#What_CBD_dosage_was_used_in_this_anorexia_nervosa_study) - [Can CBD help with anxiety symptoms in anorexia nervosa patients?](#Can_CBD_help_with_anxiety_symptoms_in_anorexia_nervosa_patients) - [How long does this study suggest CBD treatment should last for anorexia nervosa?](#How_long_does_this_study_suggest_CBD_treatment_should_last_for_anorexia_nervosa) - [Who was eligible to participate in this CBD anorexia nervosa study?](#Who_was_eligible_to_participate_in_this_CBD_anorexia_nervosa_study) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ #### Is CBD safe to use in patients with anorexia nervosa? This pilot study found CBD to be well-tolerated in women with anorexia nervosa over a 21-day treatment period. The researchers monitored liver function and other safety parameters, with no significant [adverse effects](https://cedclinic.com/physician-concerns-cannabis-health-effects-washington/) reported at doses up to 6.25 mg/kg twice daily. #### What CBD dosage was used in this anorexia nervosa study? The study used a gradual dose escalation protocol starting at 1.25 mg/kg twice daily and increasing weekly to a maximum of 6.25 mg/kg twice daily over 21 days. This titration approach allowed researchers to assess both safety and optimal dosing while monitoring for [side effects](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-intoxication-memory-disruption/). #### Can CBD help with anxiety symptoms in anorexia nervosa patients? The study investigated CBD’s potential to reduce anxiety through the [endocannabinoid system](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/), as anxiety is a key component of anorexia nervosa. #### How long does this study suggest CBD treatment should last for anorexia nervosa? This was a short-term pilot study lasting only 21 days, primarily focused on establishing safety and tolerability rather than long-term efficacy. The optimal duration of CBD treatment for anorexia nervosa remains unclear and would require longer-term studies to determine. #### Who was eligible to participate in this CBD anorexia nervosa study? The study enrolled women with anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa, with participants averaging around 22-23 years of age. The researchers included both typical and atypical presentations of anorexia nervosa, suggesting potential broader applicability across the anorexia spectrum. {“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “ScholarlyArticle”, “headline”: “Cannabidiol in Anorexia Nervosa: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Pilot Study to Test Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Symptom Change.”, “url”: “https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41906184/”, “about”: “international journal eating disorders randomized trial”, “isPartOf”: “The International journal of eating disorders”} [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 [Clinical Trial: Daily Use of FDA-Approved CBD Formulation Increases BMI in Anorexia Patients](https://cedclinic.com/clinical-trial-fda-approved-cbd-increases-bmi-anorexia/) This clinical trial explores the impact of daily FDA-approved CBD on BMI changes in anorexia nervosa patients, providing insight into therapeutic potential. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/clinical-trial-fda-approved-cbd-increases-bmi-anorexia/) [Cannabidiol CBD Effects Autism Anxiety Clinical Trial](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-oil-autism-anxiety-trial/) A clinical trial investigating cannabidiol's effects on anxiety symptoms in autism, relevant for understanding CBD's broader psychiatric applications. [Read Study](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-oil-autism-anxiety-trial/) [The Effects of Cannabidiol on Sleep Disturbances: A Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Trial](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-sleep-placebo-trial-results/) This study examines cannabidiol's effects on sleep disturbances, offering important data on CBD's safety and efficacy in clinical populations. [Explore Findings](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-sleep-placebo-trial-results/) ### 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).