A single 25 mg oral dose of psilocybin, given with psychological support, significantly reduced body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptoms in 12 adults whose condition had not responded to at least one prior serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Over 12 weeks of follow-up, scores on a standard BDD severity scale decreased substantially, with a large effect size and improvements evident from week 1 and sustained through week 12. Seven of 12 participants (58%) showed a 30% or greater reduction in symptoms at week 12. No serious adverse events occurred. These preliminary findings suggest psilocybin may be a promising treatment for BDD, warranting further controlled trials.
A systematic review of five studies (two exploratory studies, two case reports, and one prospective study) found limited evidence on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders. Effects on symptoms were identified mostly through thematic analyses and self-reports. The review concludes that more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of psychedelics in these conditions and suggests avenues for future exploration.
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, given with psychological support, led to significant reductions in body dysmorphic disorder symptoms at one week and twelve weeks after dosing in eight adults with moderate-to-severe nondelusional BDD. Resting state functional connectivity measured one day after dosing showed increased connectivity within the Executive Control Network and between the Executive Control Network, Default Mode Network, and Salience Network. These connectivity increases predicted symptom improvement at one week. The authors note the small sample size and uncontrolled design require larger controlled studies to validate the findings.
Up to 60% of people with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) do not respond to standard treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotic augmentation, or cognitive–behavioural therapy. This open-label pilot trial will test whether a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin combined with psychological support is feasible, tolerable, and safe for ten adults with treatment-resistant OCD. Clinical improvement will be measured with the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale. Exploratory brain imaging, electroencephalogram, and transcranial magnetic stimulation-electroencephalogram measures will examine changes in dynamic connectivity and brain dynamics before, during, and up to one week after dosing. Results will inform the design of larger randomized trials and help clarify neurobiological mechanisms of psilocybin-assisted therapy.