Questioning the recovery of dissociated traumatic memories under psilocybin: comment on “Therapeutic emergence of dissociated traumatic memories during psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa”
Journal of Eating Disorders – December 04, 2025
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
The striking claim that two patients recovered traumatic memories during psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa suggests psychedelics could unlock forgotten experiences. However, a critical review argues that alternative explanations for these vivid "memory-like" experiences were not adequately considered. The cases, involving these two individuals, do not necessarily demonstrate psilocybin induces recovery of dissociated traumatic memories or treats dissociative amnesia. Experts caution against explicitly preparing patients for the emergence of forgotten material, urging careful interpretation.
Abstract
Abstract In their recent case report article, Peck and colleagues suggested that two patients recovered dissociated traumatic memories during psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa. These case reports are of clinical and scientific interest and confirm that psychedelics may induce vivid memory-like experiences. However, the reports warrant scrutiny. Here, based on what is known about recovered memories and the effects of psychedelics, we argue that the authors may not have adequately considered alternative explanations. The cases do not necessarily demonstrate that psilocybin induces recovery of dissociated traumatic memories or could treat dissociative amnesia. We further caution against the authors’ suggestion of explicitly preparing patients for the emergence of forgotten material.