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Appetite disorders can affect far more than what you may expect. They can influence energy levels, emotional wellbeing, and overall health. Whether someone is experiencing a reduced desire to eat, ongoing weight loss, or appetite changes linked to illness, these disruptions can have a significant impact on daily life. Understanding what appetite disorders are and how they affect the body is the first step toward exploring treatment options, including emerging approaches like medical cannabis under specialist care.
Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available when prescribed by a specialist doctor through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions. You can find out if you’re eligible by completing the quick questionnaire on our website.
Below we’ll be exploring medical cannabis and appetite loss.
What Are Appetite Disorders and How Do They Affect Health?
Appetite disorders are conditions that disrupt normal eating patterns and hunger signals. Common examples include:
- Anorexia: reduced food intake due to psychological or physical factors
- Cachexia: severe weight and muscle loss often linked to chronic illness
- General appetite loss: this can occur for many reasons
These conditions can have both physical effects, such as fatigue, nutrient deficiency, and weight loss, and emotional impacts, including low mood or anxiety around eating. Managing appetite disorders often involves understanding their underlying causes and finding ways to support overall wellbeing.
How Medical Cannabis May Help Manage Appetite Loss
But what’s the link between appetite loss and medical cannabis UK, apart from the fact that many people assume cannabis increases your appetite, also known as ‘the munchies’, in pop culture.
Well, some cannabinoids found in medical cannabis may influence hunger signals in the brain and help stimulate appetite. This is all due to the endocannabinoid system, or the ECS, a messenger and receptor system that experts believe plays a big role in homeostasis (the management of balance) within the human body. Research suggests that the ECS influences and modulates mood, appetite, sleep, pain, and much more.
This means medical cannabis may support symptom relief under clinical supervision for some individuals experiencing appetite loss. However, responses can vary from person to person, so it’s important that any treatment is guided by a qualified healthcare professional, like the caring clinicians at Alternaleaf.
CBD vs THC for Appetite Support: What’s the Difference?
The cannabis plant is complex. It contains over 100 cannabinoids which are active compounds that can cause effects throughout the body. Tetrahydrocannabinolis (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of these compounds that you’ve probably heard of. If you haven’t, you’ll see them often when researching medical cannabis. The main difference between THC and CBD is that THC can produce a ‘high’, while CBD doesn’t. And remember, whilst there is evidence to give a general idea of how both THC and CBD may react with the body, they can affect every individual differently.
Now back to the ECS. One of the core components of the ECS are the cannabinoid receptors, which includes CB1 and CB2. They’re one of the main reasons behind why medical cannabis has the potential to work positively for so many different conditions.
Some animal and human studies have shown that THC activates CB1 receptors in the brain, increasing food-seeking behaviour and hunger signals. Which is why THC for appetite stimulation may be considered under medical supervision.
Although there’s some research that suggests CBD may reduce appetite, both THC and CBD, along with other active compounds like terpenes (the part of any plant that produces the smell) and flavonoids, can work together to potentially produce effects. This phenomenon is known as the entourage effect.
Remember that everyone is different, and your body may not respond to medical cannabis in the same way that someone else’s does. If you’re considering medical cannabis for appetite disorders and support, you should discuss it with your doctor, or seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf.
Can Medical Cannabis Be Prescribed for Appetite Disorders in the UK?
In November 2018, certain cannabis-based products - that have medicinal uses - were rescheduled. Now, it’s regulated under Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. This means it’s recognised as having potential medical value, but is still a tightly controlled substance.
Prescribed cannabis UK eligibility
To be eligible for a medical cannabis prescription, you’ll need a diagnosis of a qualifying condition and evidence of being offered at least two conventional treatments for that condition. Medical cannabis can only be prescribed by specialist doctors, and prescriptions are only available to eligible patients under doctor supervision.
It’s only prescribed when other conventional treatments have not been effective or have caused unwanted side effects. This ensures that patients receive it only when clinically appropriate, as part of a regulated and supervised care plan.
If you’re pregnant or have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, you won’t qualify. Treatment is carefully monitored and tailored to individual needs, and you can easily find out if you qualify by completing our 30 second eligibility checker.
Is It Safe to Use Medical Cannabis for Eating-Related Conditions?
Medical cannabis should always be given under clinical supervision, where you’ll be given appropriate dosing for you and your needs. When prescribed by a specialist doctor and sourced from licensed pharmacies, products are regulated, and treatment can be monitored to ensure it’s suitable for the individual and adjusted as needed. And remember, everyone is different, so you may not respond to medical cannabis the same way someone else has.
Like we said, medical cannabis can be prescribed for over 50 conditions, including anxiety and depression, two conditions that can be associated with an eating disorder, and other underlying illnesses. However, if you’re considering medical cannabis for eating disorders, the best thing to do is speak to a professional.
It may also be a good idea to speak to a mental health professional. Doctors, therapists and clinicians are all there to help you, and find the best route of care.
Summary
To finish off this article, we’ve got some practical guidance for eligible patients in the UK - or for anyone who’s looking to find out if they qualify for a prescription. Keep in mind, we’ll need to see medical evidence before prescribing.
If you’re exploring whether medical cannabis may be appropriate for you, speak with a specialist doctor, or seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.
As a patient with Alternaleaf, you’re legally covered by a fully compliant clinic, and we’ll support you at every stage of your medical cannabis journey with ongoing medical monitoring and support.