Jacob Bell
New Member
CANNABIS has been used for years to treat some cancers but now experts believe it could help anorexia sufferers.
An international nutrition expert Dr Elliot Berry is presenting research in Sydney today suggesting cannabis could stimulate appetite in anorexia patients.
But his findings, which are not yet published, have been questioned by some eating disorder groups who believe it could cause more harm than good.
Dr Berry, a consultant to the World Health Organisation, has conducted a trial using cannabis in an oil form to treat the eating disorder.
He said early results showed the drug stimulated a chemical in the brain boosting appetite in malnourished people.
"It is given in very low doses, no one is going to get high and no one is going over the top.
"The brain already has receptors which produce some substances like cannabis. We have found that people who are malnourished don't produce these substances."
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About one in 100 Australian teenage girls develop anorexia nervosa, the third most common chronic illness in that age group behind obesity and asthma.
Dr Berry, who is based at Israel's Hadassah University Hospital, said he was not purporting to have the "wonder drug" to treat anorexia.
"This could help the treatment and speed up the process while the person still receives psychological help," he said.
Source: Cannabis may help anorexia
An international nutrition expert Dr Elliot Berry is presenting research in Sydney today suggesting cannabis could stimulate appetite in anorexia patients.
But his findings, which are not yet published, have been questioned by some eating disorder groups who believe it could cause more harm than good.
Dr Berry, a consultant to the World Health Organisation, has conducted a trial using cannabis in an oil form to treat the eating disorder.
He said early results showed the drug stimulated a chemical in the brain boosting appetite in malnourished people.
"It is given in very low doses, no one is going to get high and no one is going over the top.
"The brain already has receptors which produce some substances like cannabis. We have found that people who are malnourished don't produce these substances."
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
About one in 100 Australian teenage girls develop anorexia nervosa, the third most common chronic illness in that age group behind obesity and asthma.
Dr Berry, who is based at Israel's Hadassah University Hospital, said he was not purporting to have the "wonder drug" to treat anorexia.
"This could help the treatment and speed up the process while the person still receives psychological help," he said.
Source: Cannabis may help anorexia
