Anorexia nervosa is one of the most serious mental health conditions, and effective anorexia nervosa treatment options are limited. In recent years, researchers have started asking whether psilocybin, given with psychological support, might help. This article explains what is known about psilocybin for anorexia, what the first studies found, and why this research is still at a very early stage.
This article is for general information only. It is not medical advice. If you or someone you know is affected by an eating disorder, please contact a doctor or a specialist eating disorder service. Eating disorders can be life-threatening, and professional help works.
Why Researchers Are Interested in Psilocybin for Anorexia
Anorexia often involves rigid thinking, intense fear of weight gain and a strong need for control. As a result, these patterns can be very hard to change, even with good treatment. Meanwhile, regulators have not approved any medication to treat the core symptoms of anorexia [1].
Psilocybin appears to temporarily loosen rigid patterns of thought and brain activity [2]. As a result, researchers wonder whether a supervised psilocybin session might help some people step back from fixed beliefs about food, weight and self-image. Our guide to psilocybin and the brain explains this idea in more detail.
The First Study of Psilocybin for Anorexia
In 2023, researchers at the University of California San Diego published the first study of psilocybin for anorexia in Nature Medicine [1]. Ten adult women with anorexia or partially remitted anorexia received a single 25 mg dose of synthetic psilocybin, together with psychological support.
The researchers designed the study mainly to test safety and feasibility. They found no clinically significant changes in heart tests, vital signs or suicidality, and side effects were mild and short-lived. Two participants had low blood sugar without symptoms, which resolved within a day. Most participants found the treatment acceptable, and some showed improvements in eating disorder symptoms afterward. Others did not.
What This Study Does and Does Not Show
The results suggest that psilocybin for anorexia can be studied safely in a carefully controlled setting. However, the study was very small and had no control group. Moreover, everyone knew they were receiving psilocybin. Therefore, it cannot show whether psilocybin actually works for anorexia.
Research groups in Europe and North America are now designing larger, controlled studies. Until those are complete, nobody should treat psilocybin as a proven option for eating disorders.
Special Risks for People With Eating Disorders
People with anorexia face medical risks that make unsupervised psilocybin use especially dangerous:
- Heart strain: low body weight can affect the heart, and psilocybin raises heart rate and blood pressure.
- Blood sugar and electrolytes: malnutrition can disturb blood sugar and minerals, which need medical monitoring.
- Psychological distress: psilocybin can bring up intense emotions, which may be overwhelming without trained support.
- Medication interactions: some medicines used in mental health care can interact with psilocybin.
For these reasons, the study above included close medical screening and monitoring. Read our guide to bad trips to learn more about the psychological risks.
Psilocybin for Anorexia and Other Conditions
Interest in psilocybin for anorexia is part of a wider wave of research. In addition, researchers are also studying psilocybin for depression, anxiety, addiction and OCD. These conditions share some features, such as repetitive thinking, which researchers hope psilocybin might help to loosen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is psilocybin an approved treatment for anorexia?
No. Psilocybin for anorexia is only available in research studies, and nobody has yet shown that it works.
How was psilocybin given in the study?
Participants received one 25 mg dose of synthetic psilocybin in a supervised session, with psychological support before and after.
Where can I find help for an eating disorder?
Start with your doctor, who can refer you to specialist services. Many European countries also have national eating disorder charities and helplines.
Conclusion: Psilocybin for Anorexia Is Still Experimental
The first study of psilocybin for anorexia suggests that it can be given safely under close medical supervision, and some participants reported benefits. However, the research is at a very early stage, and larger controlled trials are needed. If you are affected by anorexia, the most important step is to work with qualified professionals. For a broader overview of supervised treatment, read our guide to psilocybin therapy.
Sources
- Peck SK, et al. Psilocybin therapy for females with anorexia nervosa: a phase 1, open-label feasibility study. Nature Medicine. 2023. doi:10.1038/s41591-023-02455-9
- Carhart-Harris RL, Goodwin GM. The therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs: past, present, and future. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2017. doi:10.1038/npp.2017.84
