Psilocybin therapy and anorexia nervosa: a narrative review of safety considerations for researchers and clinicians.
Journal of eating disorders April 24, 2024 Amanda E Downey, Anita V Chaphekar, Joshua Woolley et al. 13 citations
Clinical trials are testing psilocybin therapy for anorexia nervosa (AN), but individuals with AN have unique medical vulnerabilities. This review describes how common physiologic adverse effects of psilocybin—tachycardia, hypertension, electrocardiogram changes, nausea, headache, and lightheadedness—may interact with medical complications seen in AN. It proposes risk mitigation strategies for each adverse effect. Early evidence suggests psilocybin therapy is well-tolerated in individuals with AN. Understanding AN's medical complications in relation to psilocybin's effects can help tailor strategies to enhance safety and tolerability of this novel intervention.