Researchers say psychedelics could one day help treat anorexia

Scientists have discovered that psychedelic medicines such as magic mushrooms have the potential to treat one of psychiatry's most challenging conditions - anorexia nervosa.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) say a study shows psilocybin treatment may help patients with anorexia nervosa, a condition that maintains the highest mortality rate among psychiatric illnesses and has historically resisted conventional treatment. The study, the experts say, offers a unique first-hand perspective on how psilocybin treatment impacts patients with anorexia nervosa, a condition that maintains the highest mortality rate among psychiatric illnesses and has historically resisted conventional treatments.

“Our findings suggest that psilocybin may be helpful in supporting meaningful psychological change in a subset of people with anorexia nervosa,” says Dr. Stephanie Knatz Peck, lead author of the study. “What's particularly interesting is that 60% of participants reported a reduction in the importance of physical appearance, while 70% noted quality-of-life improvements and shifts in personal identity.”

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The trial found that 90% of participants ranked their psilocybin session among their top five most meaningful life experiences, and four out of ten showed clinically significant reductions in eating disorder psychopathology. However, it also found changes in psychological outlook didn't automatically translate to weight restoration.

The research raises intriguing questions about the intersection of psychedelic medicine and eating disorder treatment, the research team said.

“You are able to act in a way that maybe had felt unachievable before if you set the right intention,” reported one participant, while another noted, “Things might not look that different from the outside, but they feel completely different from the inside.”

The study employed a single 25mg dose of psilocybin combined with specialized psychological support before, during, and after administration. While the results show promise, they also highlight the complexity of treating anorexia nervosa, suggesting that psychedelic therapy might work best as part of a comprehensive treatment approach rather than a standalone intervention.