Psilocybin could kick-start anorexia recovery, early results suggest

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, has shown early promise for treating eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa. Christina, a Londoner in her 30s, was one of the participants in a clinical trial that tested the effectiveness of psilocybin therapy for anorexia. After six years of battling the disease, Christina had exhausted various forms of traditional treatment, including behavioral therapy and inpatient care, but found no lasting relief.

The disease had severely impacted her life, causing sleep issues, energy loss, strained relationships, and even a threat of losing her job and home.

In 2022, Christina's desperate search for a cure led her to a clinical trial for psilocybin as a treatment for anorexia. The six-week trial involved three doses of oral psilocybin, combined with intensive talk therapy. After the trial, Christina reported a significant improvement in her symptoms and an increased motivation to recover.

The study followed 21 women with an average of 11 years of experience with anorexia. Researchers found that, on average, participants experienced a reduction in the severity of their symptoms, with half of the participants achieving a score comparable to those without an eating disorder diagnosis after three months. Moreover, the participants reported lasting motivation to recover up to a year after the trial ended.

While there were no significant adverse events during the trial, one participant did attempt suicide twice, unrelated to the psilocybin therapy. Nonetheless, the results of this pilot study suggest that psilocybin therapy combined with talk therapy could potentially kick-start anorexia recovery and provide relief for those who have exhausted traditional treatment options.

If confirmed in larger trials, psilocybin therapy could be a groundbreaking treatment for anorexia nervosa, a psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition.