As of April 2018, 29 states and Washington DC permit the use of medical marijuana to alleviate various ailments. Researchers are discovering a slew of uses for medical marijuana. One of these uses is a treatment aid for individuals suffering from anorexia. Read on to learn important information about using medical marijuana as a possible anorexia treatment.

Medical Marijuana Can Help Stimulate the Patient's Appetite

One of the main ways that medical marijuana can help a patient with anorexia is by stimulating the patient's appetite. Marijuana is notorious for causing an increase in appetite; it may give patients the push they need to begin consuming more food.

Some patients associate eating with negative thoughts. Medical marijuana can help these patients begin to appreciate and take joy in the act of eating. The THC in marijuana increases the patient's smell and taste buds, making the act of eating more pleasurable.

A benefit of using medical marijuana is that it has few side effects. Patients may need to experiment to find the strain that works best for their body.

It is Important for the Patient to Learn About Proper Nutrition

Though medical marijuana will stimulate the patient's appetite, it is important for the patient to take steps to make sure that some of the foods eaten have nutritional value. Since anorexia patients need to increase their overall caloric intake, some junk food and dishes conventionally viewed as unhealthy are typically encouraged.

However, patients also need to consume nutrient-rich items, such as foods rich in protein, healthy fats, fruits, grains, and vegetables. Meetings with a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders can help the patient learn what types of foods they should be consuming to properly nourish the body.

Medical Marijuana Cannot Solve the Psychological Factors That Contribute to Anorexia

Anorexia is a disease caused by many factors, including possible neurological issues and exterior factors. An argument that dissenters frequently use to argue against the use of medical marijuana as a treatment for anorexia is that it does not solve the underlying social or psychological factors that contribute to the disease. This is true; if a patient suffers from anorexia due to childhood trauma or unhealthy coping techniques, medical marijuana will not solve these issues.

Medical marijuana is most effective when combined with regular therapy. Therapy can help the patient learn how to change the thought process and learn healthy coping techniques. However, medical marijuana can give the patient initial motivation to begin eating regularly again. For more information, contact establishments like Medical Marijuana Recs NY.