Medical Cannabis and Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

What Causes Binge Eating?

There is no exact cause known for binge eating, however, certain elements can make a person more likely to suffer from the disorder:

• Family history of disordered eating.
• Being bullied or criticised over eating habits or weight.
• Experiencing anxiety or suffering from low self-esteem.
• Cultural pressures.
• Obsession over weight and body shape.

Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms

The most common symptom of a binge eating disorder is eating a lot of food in a short period of time and feeling a loss of control over the amount you eat, even if you are full. The symptoms can vary from person-to-person, however, some of the other symptoms include:

• Eating when not hungry.
• Eating fast during a binge.
• Eating alone.
• Feeling guilty or ashamed after eating a lot.

The signs of a binge eating disorder in someone else can include:

• Preferring to eat alone.
• Attempting to hide the amount their eating.
• Change in weight (both gaining or losing weight).
• Mood swings.

These are some key signs to be aware of if you believe someone you know may be suffering silently from a binge eating disorder.

How to Know if You Have a Binge Eating Disorder

If you have any of the symptoms of a binge eating disorder and feel a loss of control when eating large amounts of food all at once, it is important to speak to a professional as soon as you can. Contact your GP so they can assess your mood, eating habits, and your overall health. They can provide you with the help you need from there.

Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

Recovery from a binge eating disorder can take time and overcoming the habits and thought patterns influenced by a binge eating disorder isn’t easy. However, with the correct help for a binge eating disorder and the right treatment, recovery is possible.
The main treatments include:

• Guided self-help programmes
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which can be in groups or 1-to-1 sessions.

The individual affected will be guided by a specialist or their GP as to which treatment is best suited to them and their symptoms.

Medical Cannabis for Binge Eating Disorder

Research on medical cannabis and binge eating disorder specifically is limited, but there is growing evidence through the UK Medical Cannabis Registry on patients prescribed medical cannabis for mood regulation and anxiety, common symptoms for binge eating disorder.

As with any binge eating disorder treatment, it’s essential to discuss your symptoms and options with a clinician, who can assess your case and recommend a personalised approach which considers your wider treatment plan.