Abstract
Introduction: In the context of eating disorders related to body image distortion, erroneous perception of body image is common in the general population and is also a central component of several serious diseases, including body dysmorphic disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. Especially for the treatment of eating disorders, cannabidiol (CBD) was identified 50 years ago and has effects that can change mood, sensation, perception, tension, appetite, and pain. Objective: This was to analyze, through a systematic review, the main approaches to eating disorders related to body image distortion, as well as the clinical results of the use of cannabidiol for the treatment of this condition. Methods: The systematic review rules of the PRISMA Platform were followed. The search was carried out from April to May 2025 in the Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusion: 123 articles were found. A total of 42 articles were assessed in full and 16 were included and developed in the present systematic review study. Considering the Cochrane tool for risk of bias, the overall assessment resulted in 28 studies with a high risk of bias and 23 studies that did not meet GRADE and AMSTAR-2. Most studies presented homogeneity in their results, with X2=84.6%>50%. It was concluded that body image distortion can negatively alter the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves in their social or occupational lives; and is a proposed mechanism for the development of clinical and subclinical patterns of restricted eating or eating disorders. The eating disorders of anorexia nervosa and bulimia have reached epidemic proportions in our population today, especially among adolescent and adult women. Many times, these disorders are not diagnosed (and therefore not treated) because patients rarely disclose their symptoms to their doctor, therapist, or dietitian. There is growing evidence that cannabidiol acts as an antipsychotic, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective agent. Some studies show weight loss in people with anxiety and binge eating. However, new randomized controlled studies with larger numbers of participants are still needed.