A single dose of psilocybin worsened diet-induced weight loss over four weeks in obese mice switched to low-fat chow, making them more likely to lose more weight. The effect came mainly from reducing food intake, not from changing energy expenditure. In obese mice kept on a high-fat diet, psilocybin did not affect body weight or food intake, suggesting it does not directly cause weight loss or reduce eating. Instead, it may help enable weight loss when combined with other weight-loss interventions. The findings support further research into psychedelic compounds as an add-on therapy for obesity, though more work is needed to understand the mechanisms.
A single dose of psilocybin exacerbated diet-induced weight loss over four weeks in diet-induced obese mice switched to low-fat chow, increasing susceptibility to more profound weight loss. Psilocybin modulated food intake without affecting energy expenditure. No changes in body weight or food intake occurred in mice maintained on a high-fat diet, indicating psilocybin does not directly promote weight loss or reduce food intake but may facilitate weight loss when combined with other interventions. The findings support further investigation of psychedelic compounds as an adjunct therapy for obesity.