These are naturally-occurring versions of compounds found in marijuana

Nov 2, 2011 00:31 GMT  ·  By

Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia may be triggered by reduced concentrations of chemicals known as endocannabinoids in the human brain. These are naturally-occurring cannabinoids, of the type found in marijuana and cannabis.

Researchers say that a link between cannabinoids and appetite has been suspected for a long time, since nearly all of those who smoked marijuana reported experiencing an irresistible urge to eat at one point or another. As such, it stands to reason that the opposite may also be true.

When the human brain becomes incapable of produce endocannabinoids in the necessary concentrations, people may start losing their appetites, leading to the development of conditions such as bulimia and anorexia.

Past studies have demonstrated that endocannabinoids affect the function and chemistry of the brain in similar patterns as the main active ingredient in marijuana does. The compound that appears in the plant is called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), PsychCentral reports.

In the new investigation, researchers sought to determine whether the number of endocannabinoid receptors (CB1) in the brains of those suffering from eating disorder were increased or reduced from normal, baselines levels.

These measurements allowed experts to gain an indirect view into the status of the endocannabinoid system, the team reports in the latest issue of the esteemed medical journal Biological Psychiatry.

In order to reach their objective, the investigators used a medical imaging technique called positron emission tomography (PET). Test participants included women who were both healthy and suffering from either of the two conditions.

Experts focused their PET scans on several areas of the brain, where CB1 receptors are notoriously easy to find. They then compared receptor concentrations in the same areas between the brains of healthy and sick women.

Those suffering from bulimia and anorexia nervosa were found to display reduced CB1 receptor function, as well as deficits in overall endocannabinoid levels. Sick patients were found to display significantly elevated CB1 receptor concentrations in an area of the brain called the insula.

This “is a region that integrates body perception, gustatory information, reward and emotion, functions known to be disturbed in these patients,” says the lead author of the new research, Dr. Koen Van Laere.

“The role of endocannabinoids in appetite control is clearly important. These new data point to important connections between this system and eating disorders,” concludes the Editor of Biological Psychiatry, Dr. John Krystal.