Effects of a single dose of psilocybin on diet-induced weight loss in obese mice
March 31, 2025 Ryan J. Keenan, Rezaul Haque, Xianbo Jin et al.
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.