Cannabis, Alcohol & Binge Eating

With continuing legalization, cannabis use is increasing.  Scientists were interested in the relationship between cannabis use and binge eating.

Between August 2020 and January 2022, researchers collected data from 165 adult participants who suffer from binge eating, and they found that 64.2% reported using cannabis at some point in their lives.  Within this subset of cannabis users:

• 23.6% had used cannabis within the past 3 months;

• 61.5% reported having cravings for cannabis; and

• 48.7% had alcohol use disorder symptoms, drinking more frequently and more total alcohol than non-cannabis users.

This study demonstrated a relationship between cannabis and alcohol use, with cannabis users reporting drinking weekly and on average of 2 drinks per episode, while non-cannabis users reported drinking monthly and on average one drink per episode.  It also demonstrated an interconnectedness for some people between cannabis use, alcohol use, and binge eating.

Takeaway:  Binge eating may be increased by either cannabis use, alcohol use, or both.  The relationship between overconsumption of food and cannabis and/or alcohol use is complex.  If you struggle with binge eating, it may be exacerbated by cannabis or alcohol.

Well-being is a journey, not a quick fix.

Source

M.L. Wilkinson, et al., Cannabis Use and Binge Eating: Examining the Relationship between Cannabis Use and Clinical Severity Among Adults with Binge Eating, Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, Jan. 18, 2024, Cannabis use and binge eating: Examining the relationship between cannabis use and clinical severity among adults with binge eating.

#brainhealth #mentalstrength #professionalbrain #lawyerbrain #lawyerwellbeing