Psychedelic treatment for anorexia nervosa: A first-hand view of how psilocybin treatment did and did not help

Psilocybin treatment shows promise for anorexia nervosa, a psychiatric illness with high mortality and limited treatment options, but studies remain preliminary. This article synthesizes first-hand experiences from 10 individuals with lived experience, offering thematic insights on the potential benefits and constraints of psilocybin treatment for anorexia. The authors contextualize these perspectives within their phase 1 pilot study findings, providing a nuanced exploration of how to optimize such treatments for this vulnerable population.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness with high mortality rates and limited treatment outcomes. Psilocybin treatment (PT) has shown promise for various mental health indications and there is significant interest in exploring its potential for AN; however, studies to date are preliminary. Given the probable surge in psychedelic studies for AN, more information is needed to understand how to successfully apply and optimize these treatments for this vulnerable population. In this Emerging Topics article, we present a nuanced exploration of the potential benefits and constraints of PT for AN, contextualized within the framework of our clinical findings from a modest phase 1 pilot study. We offer here a synthesis of first-hand experiences and comprehensive thematic insights gleaned from 10 individuals with lived experience, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives on this novel therapeutic approach.