Do you struggle with food intake and body image like me? Are you one of the many people who suffer from eating disorders? People with anorexia tend to look on food with trepidation, while those with bulimia overcome this anxiety by eating large amounts of calories and then purging them away. It is generally thought that bingeing and purging gives them a sense of control over their bodies. These things can be terrible burdens on both mental and physical health, and many people are looking for ways to cope with them. Some people, like myself, have found help in cannabis and CBD oil.
Most cultures promote unhealthy bodies as desirable. With the increasing challenge that social media continues to present, men and women are dealing with self-esteem issues in relation to their weight everyday. Many posts on social media place too much emphasis on virtual interaction, and ignore the real world outside. If you are not careful, unscrupulous people can target you for cyber bullying and harassment on social sites. So, it's no surprise that social media can lead you to have a negative idea about yourself or your body. Many people want to lose weight, but are unsure of the best method. Now, research is suggesting a link between appetite and cannabis use.
In 2011, a study reported in Biological Psychology found that the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) influences a person’s mood and response to food. The ECS is a system of cannabinoid receptors (namely CB1 and CB2). The body naturally produces its own endogenous cannabinoids, Anandamide and 2-Arachidonyl-glycerol (2AG), to stimulate the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The goal of the ECS is to stabilize the body’s internal environment in response to the body’s external environment. One of these stabilizing forces is appetite – when the body needs fuel, it gets hungry. It was found that those with anorexia and bulimia had impaired or particularly underactive endocannabinoid systems. Research has shown medical cannabis can help the endocannabinoid system influence mood, body perception, and appetite. 
Our brain’s endocannabinoid system normally controls how much pleasure we derive from sensory experiences; it then motivates us to repeat the experience again and again. According to Nature Neuroscience, one study found that the presence of THC in the brains of mice increases the ability to smell and taste food. In effect, marijuana use may make eating and tasting food a much more pleasurable experience because people can actually taste better. However, not everyone is comfortable with using THC.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound in the hemp/marijuana plant that has medicinal effects, but does not make people feel "high" and actually counteracts some of the effects tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) creates. Finding adequate treatment can be difficult, since the illness is both psychological and physical, it often occurs in conjunction with other disorders, and the relapse rate is high. Dr. Beth Braun, a psychologist in Los Angeles who works specifically with eating disordered patients, says she's seen greater success with her clients who smoke weed than those who take psychotropic drugs.
There are new studies coming out everyday that give us a better understanding of the endocannabinoid system and how it functions. For now, we can look at the information we have and try to find natural help. There are several CBD products available that we can start with including, but not limited to, the Active CBD oil Gold Syringe 25%, or the Active CBD oil capsules MCT-infused. Personal preference is key and will guide you along the way to finding the right method of consumption for you.
Do you have a question or comment about CBD? Let us know, and we will respond right away. In the meantime, sign up for our newsletters and visit our website DiscoverCBD.com regularly for the latest updates on research, legislation, and other news impacting you and cannabidiol.
