Appetite loss is a common side-effect of many conditions and treatments, including cancer, chemotherapy, AIDS/HIV, Crohn’s, IBS, GERD, eating disorders like anorexia and many more. Cannabis, and in particular THC, is well-known for causing the “munchies” – an effect that has been made famous by comedy films worldwide.
Compounds that agonise (“turn on”) the CB1 receptor are known to stimulate the appetite, as it triggers the release of hunger hormones leptin and ghrelin. This makes cannabis useful for treating appetite loss and non-purposeful weight loss due to cachexia.
