By Luke Sumpter


How’s your relationship with food? While many of us have no issues consuming three hearty meals each day (and a few snacks in between), others struggle with a range of eating disorders. At least 9%[1] of the global population live with some form of eating disorder, and these conditions are over twice as common in women than in men. Not only does one person die every hour directly from disordered eating, but those living with these conditions experience comorbidities[2] of anxiety, mood disorders, self-harm, and substance use.

Anorexia makes up a large portion of these numbers. The condition stems from a distorted view of one’s own body to the degree that sufferers avoid eating and/or exercise excessively in an attempt to keep losing weight.

As cannabis use continues to boom and ongoing studies keep pitching the herb against myriad conditions, researchers are curious about the relationship between weed and anorexia. Might the plant boost appetite and regulate eating? Or does it contribute to the condition? Discover the relationship between marijuana and anorexia below.

Types of Eating Disorders

There are several types of eating disorders. Whereas some involve the excessive consumption of food over a short period of time, others centre on avoidance of sustenance altogether. The most common forms of eating disorders include:

Anorexia Anorexia causes people to avoid food because of a distorted body image. Even those who are underweight still see themselves as overweight, which drives them to limit caloric intake, exercise excessively, and even starve.
Bulimia Whereas anorexia involves self-starvation, people experiencing bulimia consume food and usually have a normal or above-average body weight[3]. The condition involves a cycle of dieting, binge eating, and purging; after consuming large quantities of good, people with bulimia often force themselves to vomit.
Binge eating This eating disorder involves eating large quantities of food over a short window of time. People with the condition often have special “binge foods” and experience feelings of guilt and shame after indulging.

What Is Anorexia?

Anorexia is both an eating disorder and a serious mental health condition recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The condition ranks as the most deadly mental illness, as studies have shown that people with anorexia are 56 times more likely[4] to commit suicide than people living without an eating disorder. By dramatically reducing the intake of calories and nutrients, patients inflict a massive toll on their bodies, which results in a mortality rate of 5–20%. Cutting off these vital supplies leads to bone loss, heart damage, loss of lean muscle mass, infertility, and neurological problems.

  • Causes of Anorexia

The exact causes of eating disorders including anorexia remains unknown. However, it’s likely that a complex set of factors underpins each case. These include:

  • Genetic factors that alter hormone levels
  • A family history of eating disorders
  • Inability to cope with stress
  • Excess worry
  • Being vulnerable to anxiety and depression
  • Compulsive and obsessive behaviour
  • Fear of being overweight
  • Challenging relationships
  • Bullying and abuse
What Is Anorexia?
  • Symptoms of Anorexia

As a person restricts energy intake, the body begins to exhibit obvious signs, and the individual may experience the following common symptoms:

  • Unusually low body mass index (BMI)
  • Bloating and abdominal pain
  • Headaches
  • Sleeping problems
  • Feeling cold and tired
  • Dry skin and hair loss
  • Loss of periods in women
  • Reduced sex drive

Family and close contacts may also notice key signs and changes in the behaviour of the affected person, including:

  • Missing meals
  • Lying about what they ate
  • Avoiding high-calorie foods
  • Excessive exercising

Anorexia: The Current Approach

Anorexia has a rather staggering prognosis. Many patients remain emaciated or very thin, and only 50% make a full recovery. But how do they reclaim their health and overcome the mental health struggles associated with the condition? A variety of treatment approaches help patients get to this point, including:

  • CBT: Cognitive behavioural therapy helps patients to cope with their feelings and explore the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and actions. Over time, this approach helps some people with anorexia develop a better relationship with food.
  • MANTRA: Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA) involves talking sessions with a therapist to identify the underlying causes of the eating disorder. Many patients make good progress over a block of 20 sessions.
  • Focal psychodynamic therapy: Provided as a backup when the above forms of therapy fail, this approach guides patients into understanding their eating habits and the thoughts and emotions that surround these choices.
  • Nutrition plans: Anorexia patients are given advice on how to eat in a balanced and healthy way. These plans cover the required calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients. They also receive advice on vitamin and mineral supplements when required. However, nutrition plans aren’t enough to help anorexic patients in isolation, and must be delivered alongside some form of therapy.
  • Medication: Doctors may prescribe certain medications, such as Prozac, to help patients deal with feelings of anxiety, depression, and social phobia.
Anorexia: The Current Approach

Marijuana and Anorexia: How Do They Relate?

Does cannabis deserve a place on the list of treatment options above? What's the relationship between weed and eating disorders?

Several countries across the world have legalized cannabis for a range of issues. Dronabinol, a synthetic version of THC, was approved by the FDA[5] for use in anorexia patients experiencing weight loss associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the early 1990s.

The issue is that anorexic patients still experience feelings of hunger, but the psychological side of the condition means they simply ignore the impulse. Below, we’ll take a look at research that might offer some clues on the relationship between anorexia and cannabis.

But first, we must review the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and anorexia, as this will provide an understanding of why researchers are interested in cannabis in the first place.

  • What Is the Endocannabinoid System’s Role in Anorexia?

Have you heard of the endocannabinoid system (ECS)? Dr Raphael Mechoulam and other pioneers in cannabis science helped to discover and piece together components of this system decades ago. These findings led researchers to conclude that the ECS plays the role of the “universal regulator” within the human body. This series of signalling molecules (endocannabinoids), receptors, and enzymes is tasked with keeping balance across most bodily systems; these components show up in the bones, skin, brain cells, heart, immune system, and elsewhere.

Interestingly, the ECS also plays a key role when it comes to appetite and metabolism. Far more than a general feeling of hunger, a complex mix of physiological and psychological[6] mechanisms underpin appetite, as well as cravings, food preferences, motivation to eat, and patterns of eating.

The ECS helps to govern homeostasis (biological balance), including energy intake and expenditure. The regulatory network plays a key role in sensations of hunger, and motivates us to find and consume sustenance. If you’ve ever consumed cannabis, you’ll be familiar with the so-called “munchies”. This ravenous hunger sets in because THC binds to the CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system.

It just so happens that the human body produces molecules that share a similar structure to THC, which also bind to the CB1 receptor to drive appetite[7].

Ongoing studies are now probing plant-derived cannabinoids as appetite-stimulating agents[8]. These simple compounds may serve as a means of "hacking" the ECS. However, anorexia goes much deeper than appetite. Researchers are still exploring the molecular systems that underpin eating disorders, and how ECS signalling might influence feeding behaviour[9] and the perceived rewarding properties of food.

Researchers are constantly unveiling more ECS components. Whereas two receptors, two endocannabinoids, and several enzymes make up the primary ECS, the "expanded ECS[10]" comprises a host of additional receptors, signalling molecules, and enzymes. Studies have started to explore this system in eating disorders, and scientists recognise it as a key modulatory system in the brain.

Now that you’re aware of the potential role of the ECS in eating disorders and anorexia, let’s take a look at a couple of the main players when it comes to targeting this vast physiological system.

What Is the Endocannabinoid System’s Role in Anorexia?
  • The Relationship Between THC and Anorexia

THC underpins the cannabis high. It achieves this by binding directly to CB1 receptors in the brain—the same site that plays a critical role in appetite. Because of this mechanism, researchers have tested the molecule on humans to see if and how it influences appetite and metabolism.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry administered smoked, vaporized, ingested, and placebo cannabis to twenty participants. The researchers looked for changes in hormone levels[11] that play important metabolic roles, including ghrelin and insulin.

Another human trial[12], published in the Israel Journal of Psychiatry, administered THC to nine female participants over the age of 18 diagnosed with chronic anorexia. Each subject received 1mg/day for one week and 2mg/day for a further three weeks. Using questionnaires, the researchers gathered subjective data to track improvements in self-reported body care, sense of ineffectiveness, asceticism, and depression.

However, the research remains early and inconclusive. A systematic review[13] published in 2020 collected data from numerous trials that tested THC and dronabinol in the context of anorexia. The authors of the paper concluded that the evidence remains low, but that further research is warranted.

  • What About Cannabidiol (CBD) and Anorexia?

Cannabidiol, known more commonly as CBD, is the second-most abundant cannabinoid in most modern cannabis cultivars. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t produce a psychotropic effect because it doesn’t bind directly to CB1 receptors.

The cannabinoid has exploded in popularity in recent years due to its lack of mind-altering effects, and hundreds of studies have attempted to identify how the molecule might affect numerous health conditions. Does anorexia autumn into its scope?

Unfortunately, no studies have yet pitched CBD against the eating disorder. However, ongoing trials[14] are administering the cannabinoid to patients experiencing cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome, a debilitating condition that results in weight loss and muscle wasting at the hands of malignant tumours.

Although research is lacking, human studies have previously approved THC and dronabinol for use in certain patients with anorexia. It seems likely that we’ll see more trials using CBD in this context soon. One such example includes an ongoing investigation[15] looking at the effects of CBD on mealtime anxiety in patients with anorexia.

What About Cannabidiol (CBD) and Anorexia?

Can Weed Cause Eating Disorders Like Anorexia?

Very little research has linked the plant to causing or triggering the condition. One case study[16], published in 2013, detailed a patient with anorexia that also consumed cannabis for a period of three years. However, the authors state that no similar cases had been reported up until that point, and that such comorbidity remains rare.

How Marijuana and CBD Are Consumed

Cannabis users have several options when it comes to using high-THC marijuana and CBD products. Some like to inhale, whereas others prefer to eat infused foods. The most popular routes of administration include:

  • Smoking: Many users prefer to smoke joints, blunts, pipes, and bongs. This method offers a fast onset of effects but comes with obvious health risks.
  • Vaping: This technique uses lower temperatures to vaporize cannabinoids and terpenes without combusting the plant material. It produces fewer toxic byproducts but still has some associated health risks.
  • Oral: Eating or drinking cannabis-infused products sends cannabinoids through the digestive system. This means they take longer to take effect. In regard to THC, the liver converts it into a more potent molecule that produces an intense psychoactive effect.
  • Sublingual: Placing oils and extracts directly under the tongue allows cannabinoids to diffuse through a thin tissue layer directly into the blood, resulting in a rapid onset with no inhalation involved.

  • Side Effects of THC and CBD

Despite the popularity of the above methods, there’s still a lack of data when it comes to bioavailability and dosing recommendations. Both THC and CBD also pose unique side effects, as detailed below.

Side effects of THC:

Increase heart rate Coordination problems
Dry mouth Red eyes
Memory loss Panic
Anxiety

Side effects of CBD:

Dry mouth Fatigue
Reduced appetite Drowsiness
Upset stomach Interacts with many prescription medications

Legality of Cannabis

Cannabis remains illegal in many areas of the world. Although some US states and European nations now have medical cannabis programmes, with some even allowing recreational use, countries such as the UK, Norway, Sweden, France, and many African and Asian countries have strict policies against recreational cannabis. However, CBD remains legal for holistic and recreational use in many nations.

Currently, doctors in legal states in the US are able to prescribe marijuana for reduced appetite[17] and weight loss associated with HIV and nerve pain. However, anorexia seems to autumn into a grey area, partly because of the complex nature of the condition and the lack of clinical data.

Cannabis and Anorexia: Not Enough Data

The relationship between cannabis and anorexia remains murky. There’s simply not enough solid data to prove the herb addresses appetite, the desire to eat, and the underlying psychological causes of the eating disorder. However, the critical importance of the ECS in regulating appetite and eating behaviours makes it a promising therapeutic target, and cannabinoids are one of the most powerful ways to influence this system.

Although studies have successfully tested oral, vaporized, and smoked cannabis in human trials, we need to wait on further studies with larger sample sizes before we find out the true relationship between weed and eating disorders.

External Resources:
  1. Eating Disorder Statistics https://anad.org
  2. Epidemiology of eating disorders in Europe: prevalence, incidence, comorbidity, course, consequences, and risk factors https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Frequently Asked Questions About Eating Disorders https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
  4. Eating disorder statistics 2022 https://www.singlecare.com
  5. Dronabinol Approved for Use in Anorexia Associated With Weight Loss in Patients with AIDS https://jamanetwork.com
  6. Mechanisms of appetite control and their abnormalities in obese patients https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. Endocannabinoids in the regulation of appetite and body weight https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Approved cannabinoids for medical purposes https://www.sciencedirect.com
  9. The role of the endocannabinoid system in eating disorders: pharmacological implications https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  10. Changes in the Peripheral Endocannabinoid System as a Risk Factor for the Development of Eating Disorders https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  11. Effects of oral, smoked, and vaporized cannabis on endocrine pathways related to appetite and metabolism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, human laboratory study https://www.nature.com
  12. The Impact of Δ9-THC on the Psychological Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  13. Treatment studies with cannabinoids in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review https://link.springer.com
  14. Comparison of Orally Administered Cannabis Extract and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Treating Patients With Cancer-Related Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome https://ascopubs.org
  15. Role of CBD in Regulating Meal Time Anxiety in Anorexia Nervosa https://clinicaltrials.gov
  16. Anorexia Nervosa and Cannabis Abuse: A Case Report https://www.tandfonline.com
  17. Medical Marijuana https://www.webmd.com
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: