Beyond the numbers: reimagining healing with psychedelics for eating disorders.
Journal of eating disorders – September 30, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Emerging research shows promising results for treating eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, with psychedelic medicine. Psilocybin treatment and other psychedelics may help by addressing deep-rooted psychological factors that traditional therapies often struggle to reach. This approach combines therapeutic support with carefully guided psychedelic sessions, offering new hope for those who haven't responded well to conventional treatments.
Abstract
Psychedelic medicine is currently being evaluated for numerous mental health indications, and there is significant interest in applying these models of care to eating disorders (EDs) given the limited efficacy of available treatment models, especially for those living with anorexia nervosa. Preliminary findings across a number of studies suggest promise. In this commentary, researchers with experience in psychedelics and EDs present a rationale and considerations for the application of psychedelic medicine, including psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) for EDs. These contributions are informed by those with lived experience as well as the authors' experiences in the field. By addressing underlying psychological and transpersonal factors and improving treatment engagement, psychedelic medicine, though not without risks, may offer a valuable adjunct to existing treatments, enhancing overall outcomes for some living with an ED. This commentary also aims to provide a multi-dimensional perspective to inform the field, including with respect to the etiology of these illnesses, as psychedelic medicine becomes more accessible in naturalistic, research and clinical settings.