Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: Clinical Considerations and Emerging Models of Care.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy may hold promise for anorexia nervosa, a serious and often treatment-resistant illness. Although research has focused on adults, anorexia frequently begins in adolescence, and early onset is linked to more severe illness, greater psychiatric comorbidity, and more life difficulties. The authors argue that exploring the theoretical potential of this therapy for adolescents is warranted, considering biological implications, developmental stage, and consent. They propose adaptations to adult treatment models and discuss emerging models that address the unique challenges of adolescent patients.

Study at a glance

Abstract

There is growing evidence that psychedelics and associated treatment modalities may offer therapeutic benefits across a range of psychiatric conditions. Anorexia nervosa (AN), a serious and often treatment-resistant illness associated with significant morbidity and mortality, is one such condition for which psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) may hold promise. To date, research on PAT for AN has focused primarily on adults, despite the fact that AN frequently begins in adolescence, and early age of onset portends poorer prognosis, including more severe AN, more lifetime psychiatric comorbidity, and greater life difficulties. Given these risks, an exploration of the theoretical potential of PAT for adolescent populations is warranted. Important considerations include biological implications, developmental stage, and consent. Adaptations to the current models of psilocybin-assisted therapy in studies of adults are proposed, and emerging models that address the unique challenges of these patients are discussed.