Nature Medicine
July 24, 2023
Samantha Shao, Tessa Gruen, Alexandra Babakanian et al.
150 citations
A single 25-mg dose of synthetic psilocybin combined with psychological support was safe, tolerable, and acceptable for 10 adult women with anorexia nervosa or partial remission. No clinically significant changes occurred in electrocardiogram, vital signs, or suicidality. Two participants developed asymptomatic hypoglycemia that resolved within 24 hours. All adverse events were mild and transient. The findings suggest psilocybin therapy may be a promising treatment for female anorexia nervosa, a condition with no FDA-approved medications and high physiological risks.
Journal of Eating Disorders
May 26, 2025
Julie Trim, Samantha Shao, Nadav Liam Modlin et al.
14 citations
Psychedelic therapy (PT) may be beneficial for treating eating disorders and trauma-related conditions such as PTSD and dissociative amnesia. The abstract reviews how psilocybin could help patients remember and process traumatic memories, suggesting a mechanism for its therapeutic effects.
Psychedelics.
November 7, 2024
Jessie Kim, Samantha Shao, Julie Trim et al.
2 citations
Psilocybin treatment shows promise for anorexia nervosa, a psychiatric illness with high mortality and limited treatment options, but studies remain preliminary. This article synthesizes first-hand experiences from 10 individuals with lived experience, offering thematic insights on the potential benefits and constraints of psilocybin treatment for anorexia. The authors contextualize these perspectives within their phase 1 pilot study findings, providing a nuanced exploration of how to optimize such treatments for this vulnerable population.
FOCUS The Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry
July 1, 2024
Samantha Shao, Tessa Gruen, Alexandra Babakanian et al.
2 citations
A single 25-mg dose of synthetic psilocybin, given with psychological support, was safe and tolerable for 10 adult women with anorexia nervosa. No clinically significant changes occurred in heart health, vital signs, or suicidality. Two participants had temporary low blood sugar that resolved within a day. All side effects were mild and short-lived. Participants' reports indicated the treatment was acceptable. These results suggest psilocybin therapy may be a safe approach for female anorexia, a condition with no approved medications and high medical risk.