New Research Explores Cannabis Use, Binge Eating

Just about everyone knows that smoking weed can sometimes give you a serious bout of tummy tucks. But researchers at Drexel University in Philadelphia are taking a closer look at this phenomenon in a new study exploring a possible link between cannabis use and bulimia.

The research is Published It was in my diary recently. Experimental and clinical psychopharmacologyinvestigated how often people with bulimia also used cannabis recreationally. The study also investigated whether people who use cannabis experience more severe symptoms of eating disorders and mental illness.

Previous research has investigated how cannabis use affects a person's diet. However, little is known about the effects of cannabis use on bulimia. Bulimia is defined as the experience of feeling out of control when eating or being unable to stop eating. Previous research has also found that cannabis use can increase the pleasure people receive from eating sugary and fatty foods, suggesting that cannabis may play a role in bulimia. It is suggested that there is.

“Distinguishing the relationship between cannabis use, eating disorder severity, and other psychiatric symptoms in patients with bulimia nervosa is necessary to inform screening and clinical recommendations,” Drexel University Arts and Sciences said Megan Wilkinson, a PhD student in the Faculty of Science and lead author. told Drexel News.

Almost a quarter of binge eaters report recent cannabis use

The new study included a cohort of participants seeking treatment for bulimia. As part of the study, participants reported alcohol and cannabis use. Researchers found that more than 23% of the 165 participants reported using cannabis “once or twice” or “monthly” in the past three months, indicating that cannabis use was This suggests that it may be related to bulimia.

Researchers learned that participants who used cannabis reported a “strong desire or urge to use cannabis.” They also consumed alcohol more frequently and reported more problems related to alcohol use. However, the researchers noted that participants with eating disorders who were also cannabis users did not exhibit more severe symptoms of eating disorders or depression.

“Both alcohol and cannabis can affect an individual's appetite and mood. Our finding that bulimia patients who use cannabis consume more alcohol suggests that these substances may affect appetite and mood. “This may suggest that these patients are at increased risk for bulimia, given the combined effects of bulimia,” Wilkinson said. “Treatment of bulimia requires investigating how substance use affects a patient's hunger, mood, and eating.”

Study participants also completed interviews and surveys about their experiences with bulimia, depression, and other eating disorder symptoms. The researchers then compared the results of participants who used cannabis with those who did not, and whether there were statistically significant differences in eating disorder symptoms, alcohol use, and depression symptoms. judged.

Research shows that a significant proportion of people with bulimia use cannabis and have a strong desire or urge to do so. Researchers also found that for people with binge eating disorder, cannabis use is associated with alcohol drinking patterns and problems with drinking, such as needing more and more alcohol to feel intoxicated and an inability to control drinking. I concluded that it seems to be the case.

“We hope this study will be useful to clinicians treating patients with bulimia nervosa, as it provides up-to-date information on the prevalence of cannabis use in patients,” Wilkinson said. “We encourage clinicians to screen all patients for cannabis and alcohol use and assess any potential problems patients may be experiencing related to drug use.”

The researchers noted that the relationship between cannabis and bulimia requires continued research, due to changes in the legal landscape and social norms surrounding cannabis. Wilkinson and her team are conducting a new study to investigate how cannabis use affects hunger and mood in people with bulimia, and the factors that may worsen bulimia symptoms. are planning.