FDA-Approved CBD Drug Shows Early Promise in Anorexia Patients

A small pilot study has found preliminary evidence to suggest that the FDA-approved CBD formulation, Epidiolex, may have benefits for weight restoration and symptom improvement in anorexia patients. 

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe mental illness, marked by an intense fear of gaining weight and persistent body dissatisfaction, for which there is currently no approved pharmacological treatment. 

Researchers from the University of Southern California and the University of California at San Diego wanted to investigate whether the endocannabinoid system, and specifically the non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBD, could offer therapeutic benefits, particularly in reducing anxiety.

The findings from their randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial have been published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

The study used Epidiolex, a CBD-based prescription medication, which has been granted market approval for the treatment of two rare forms of childhood epilepsy.

The research team assessed the effects of a twice-daily dose of Epidiolex versus a placebo in 32 women diagnosed with anorexia over three weeks. 

The dose was increased weekly from 1.25 mg/kg to a maximum of 6.25 mg/kg, while assessing CBD and metabolite levels, liver function, and severity of eating disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms.

Epidiolex was associated with ‘limited’ and ‘non-serious’ adverse events, and analysis showed those taking CBD experienced a ‘small but significant’ increase in BMI over time compared to the placebo group.

The CBD group also indicated improvements in how they felt about their body shape and in their sense of control around eating. While not statistically significant, the authors say these findings may be important in the context of previous research, suggesting that CBD may help reduce levels of fear and anxiety.

“This study demonstrates a favourable safety profile for CBD in women with AN and Atypical AN, with the capacity to support weight recovery and an indication of improving eating disorder psychopathology,” the authors conclude, acknowledging the study’s small sample size and short timespan. 

“Future research into CBD, focusing on a larger sample size and longer course, may be necessary to make definitive conclusions about the mechanism through which CBD impacts AN pathophysiology as well as the maximal dose at which effects are still seen… combining CBD with other treatment strategies, such as a specific dietary alteration, may be necessary to appreciate its full therapeutic capacity.”