Psychedelic-assisted therapies show promise for severe psychiatric illnesses, and interest is growing in their use for eating disorders. To proceed safely and rigorously, the field must address critical risks, ethical considerations, and methodological aspects in trial design. The authors provide provisional guidelines for clinical research trials to protect participants and maximize methodological rigor.
Innovative pharmacologic treatments for eating disorders, including psychedelics and stimulant medications, are being explored. Preliminary evidence suggests psilocybin may enhance cognitive flexibility and support psychological interventions in some eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Lisdexamfetamine offers benefits for binge-eating disorder, while medications for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and bulimia nervosa remain understudied. The article underscores the need for robust clinical trials to evaluate these approaches and advocates for integrating novel treatments into existing therapeutic frameworks to address the complex biological and psychological dimensions of eating disorders.