A new study suggests that psilocybin, the active chemical in "magic mushrooms," may offer therapeutic benefits for individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa. The research, led by Stephanie Knatz Peck from the University of California, San Diego's Eating Disorder Center, found that psilocybin treatment led to clinically significant reductions in anorexia-driven eating habits in a subset of participants.
Study Details and Findings
The study involved ten adult women diagnosed with anorexia who received a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with specialized psychological support. Researchers tracked changes in their eating behaviors and psychological outlook. Nine out of the ten women ranked the psilocybin session among their top five most meaningful life experiences.
The findings, initially reported in Nature Medicine in 2023 and further detailed in Psychedelics on November 7, 2024, revealed that 60% of participants reported a reduction in the importance of physical appearance, while 70% noted quality-of-life improvements and shifts in personal identity. However, the researchers noted that these psychological changes did not automatically lead to weight restoration.
Participant Perspectives
Participants described the effects of psilocybin as transformative, with one stating, "You are able to act in a way that maybe had felt unachievable before if you set the right intention." Another participant noted, "Things might not look that different from the outside, but they feel completely different from the inside."
Implications and Future Research
Despite the promising results, the researchers caution that psychedelic therapy is likely most effective as part of a comprehensive treatment approach for anorexia, a complex disorder. They advocate for larger, well-controlled studies, including brain imaging and genetic analysis, to further understand the therapeutic value of psilocybin in treating anorexia nervosa.
