Start Date
2-5-2022 11:00 AM
Description
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss, fear of gaining weight, and a difficulty with changing this behavior despite physiological harm. Research has shown that anorexia nervosa is associated with lower than baseline serotonin functioning caused by a dysfunctional serotonergic system. Cannabinoids have been proven to provide mood boosting effects, appetite improved, and most importantly increase serotonin and dopamine levels. In this study, micro-dosing a full spectrum CBD tincture will be tested as a potential therapy for anorexia nervosa. 20 patients with anorexia nervosa will be assessed for levels of serotonin in the body, the SCOFF questionnaire, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and the Eating Disorder Inventory 3. These assessments will be executed before and after a daily micro-dosing treatment for 30 days. This study will focus more on pre-synaptic serotonergic functioning by measuring the amount of serotonin present, rather than a hormonal response to the serotonin present which would assess post-synaptic receptor functioning. The expected results are that the micro-dosing treatment will elevate serotonin levels and reduce symptoms of anorexia nervosa and its comorbidities.
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Cannabinoids and the Effects on the Serotonergic System as a Treatment for Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss, fear of gaining weight, and a difficulty with changing this behavior despite physiological harm. Research has shown that anorexia nervosa is associated with lower than baseline serotonin functioning caused by a dysfunctional serotonergic system. Cannabinoids have been proven to provide mood boosting effects, appetite improved, and most importantly increase serotonin and dopamine levels. In this study, micro-dosing a full spectrum CBD tincture will be tested as a potential therapy for anorexia nervosa. 20 patients with anorexia nervosa will be assessed for levels of serotonin in the body, the SCOFF questionnaire, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and the Eating Disorder Inventory 3. These assessments will be executed before and after a daily micro-dosing treatment for 30 days. This study will focus more on pre-synaptic serotonergic functioning by measuring the amount of serotonin present, rather than a hormonal response to the serotonin present which would assess post-synaptic receptor functioning. The expected results are that the micro-dosing treatment will elevate serotonin levels and reduce symptoms of anorexia nervosa and its comorbidities.
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Mentors: Hawley Almstedt and Stephanie Beaudion