Cannabidiol Shows Potential to Support Weight Gain and Symptom Improvement in Anorexia, Study Finds

A clinical trial published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders finds that cannabidiol (CBD) may support weight restoration and improve certain symptoms in individuals with anorexia nervosa, while being well tolerated with minimal side effects.

Researchers from the University of Southern California and the University of California San Diego conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 32 women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia. Participants received either CBD or a placebo over 21 days, with doses gradually increased each week.

The findings show that CBD was associated with a statistically significant increase in body mass index compared to placebo. Participants receiving CBD experienced consistent weight gains throughout the study period, while those in the placebo group saw little to no change. These results suggest CBD may help address one of the core challenges of anorexia, which is difficulty maintaining or gaining weight.

CBD was also found to be safe and well tolerated, with only minimal and non-serious side effects reported. Researchers monitored liver function, drug levels, and psychiatric symptoms throughout the trial and found no major safety concerns.

Although changes in anxiety, depression, and eating disorder-related symptoms were not statistically significant, the CBD group showed notable improvements in areas such as body image concerns and perceived lack of control over eating. These improvements had large effect sizes, indicating potential clinical relevance even if the small sample size limited statistical significance.

The study builds on growing evidence that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in appetite, anxiety, and energy regulation. Researchers note that CBD’s interaction with this system, along with its effects on serotonin receptors, may help reduce fear and anxiety associated with eating.

Despite the encouraging results, the authors emphasize that the study was limited by its short duration and small sample size. They say larger and longer trials are needed to determine whether CBD could become a viable treatment option for anorexia nervosa.

The findings provide early evidence that CBD could offer a new approach to treating a condition that currently has no widely approved pharmacological therapies.