Chronically Ill and Lack of Appetite

Chronically Ill and Lack of Appetite - How Cannabis Helps

cannabis for appetite chronically ill

People suffering from Chronic Diseases have a lot on their plates. Apart from struggling with the symptoms of the disease, they are also mostly overwhelmed with the side-effects of the pharmaceuticals they are taking. Some of the symptoms they are dealing with are nausea and chronic pain. This makes it hard to eat and results in malnutrition. Many conditions can lead to appetite loss. In fact, known to the medical world, there are hundred-plus conditions that can cause a lack of appetite.

Chronic diseases like cancer, HIV, Hepatitis, as well as eating disorders like Anorexia and Bulimia are all battling with not being able to eat. There is some medication out there to help with appetite stimulation, but they are not very effective. Cannabis is known for the munchies and could be a viable appetite stimulator for patients with chronic diseases. It is important to state though that there is a big difference between the munchies and cannabis as a treatment for appetite stimulation.

How does Cannabis Stimulate Appetite?

For many years now, cannabis users have the desire to snack after they smoked a joint or two. Far from being just a craving, there is scientific proof that cannabis effectively stimulates the appetite. The compound THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), is the responsible cannabinoid for stimulating the appetite. When cannabis is smoked, it increases the levels of the hunger-regulating hormones Leptin and Ghrelin. At the same time, it does not have a significant effect on blood sugar levels. It makes it therefor an effective and safe way to stimulate the appetite.

There are many ways to use Cannabis to stimulate appetite

Most patients suffering from a lack of appetite prefer smoking marijuana to help them eat better. But some prefer other methods. Some of these methods are:

Oromucusal Solutions – These are solutions made to be absorbed orally or in the throat. It is either in solid or liquid form that dissolves when taken.
Vaporizing- Using a specialized vaporizer to take cannabis in
Edibles- Edibles can be anything from baked items to liquids, such as smoothies or teas, to candies and food.

Some Chronic Diseases treatable with Cannabis to Stimulate Appetite

Many diseases could benefit from Cannabis, but the following will be addressed:

Cancer and the Loss of Appetite

Apart from being able to be used as an appetite stimulant, cannabis has many other benefits for cancer patients. Many clinical studies are advocating that cannabis heals cancer. But what it is more known for at the moment, is that it is very helpful in treating the symptoms of cancer. There are many side-effects of cancer and the more prominent are neuropathy, nausea and vomiting, and anorexia. Because of chemotherapy, many healthy cells get destroyed and results in a lot of pain. Patients also weaken and the digestive system gets inflamed which makes it hard to eat. Cannabis helps with all these symptoms.

HIV Aids and Lack of Appetite

Being affected with HIV causes symptoms like nausea, loss of appetite and diarrhea. The HIV virus attacks the immune system and leads to immune deficiencies. That results in weakening the body to make the patient susceptible to a multitude of other disorders and conditions. HIV patients are prone to infections and almost all infections lead to a lack of appetite. The antiretroviral drugs these patients take also affect appetite. It also makes them tired and often feverish. Cannabis helps to combat these symptoms and stimulate the appetite.

Eating Disorders and Loss of Appetite

Eating disorders are not a physical medical disorder alone. Patients suffering from eating disorders also have psychological issues. An eating disorder is often related to low self-esteem or a negative self-perception. Medical cannabis helps here then also to recover and build-up overall health conditions while the patient unlearns harmful attitudes. Cannabis is known for treating depression and anxiety that helps the patient to overcome the struggle with eating disorders. Cannabis has a double role to play as it helps to stimulate the appetite and at the same time also helps to deal with emotional and mental issues.

Cannabis Acts as a Life Saver

When people do not have the desire to eat, their bodies start to suffer numerous problems. In patients with chronic diseases, harm is inflicted on the vital organs and symptoms of the body. The body is already struggling with a chronic condition. Now it also has to fight malnutrition. It all causes a vicious circle.

As the cannabinoids in cannabis interact with the endocannabinoid system, both contribute to regulating the appetite. Cannabis helps to stimulate the brain to let the patient feel good when he eats. It activates the rewards center in the brain and makes eating more acceptable and pleasurable.

Final Thoughts

Medical Cannabis has many attributes and helps with the symptoms of chronic diseases. It is also one of the few better options to help with stimulating the appetite without having serious side-effects. The unique combination of cannabis makes it an excellent treatment for those suffering from appetite loss.