Understanding experiences of psychedelic treatments for eating disorders: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.
Rebecca Morris, Ayse Gundogan, Vanessa Lawrence, Hubertus Himmerich, Janet Treasure, Johanna Keeler
BMC Medicine May 19, 2026 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-026-04929-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-ethnography Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | Individuals with eating disorders and providers (e.g., clinicians, ceremony leaders) |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Eating disorders Individual experiences Meta-ethnography |
| Key findings | Psychedelic experiences may act as catalysts for transformation in eating disorder treatment through core processes of mind-body-spirit connection and emotional processing, but require eating-disorder-specific contextual conditions and dual competency to manage increased risks. |
Abstract
Eating disorders (EDs) have complex presentations with high rates of comorbidities and low recovery rates. Current treatment options often lack sufficiency in improving ED symptoms. Psychedelic-assisted therapies represent a novel treatment approach for the treatment of EDs, with research documenting preliminary positive evidence. However, psychedelics have their own challenges and risks which need to be considered within an ED population to inform study design and future clinical application. The primary aim of this meta-synthesis was to integrate existing qualitative data on the experience of using psychedelics in ED treatment from the perspectives of both individuals with EDs and providers (e.g. clinicians, ceremony leaders), using meta-ethnography to generate new interpretative insights. The methods followed the seven steps of a meta ethnographic approach. An electronic search of three databases (PubMed, Medline, and PsycINFO) was conducted. Papers were included if they were qualitative studies exploring the use of typical or atypical psychedelics, from the perspective of either a provider or individual experiencing an ED. A total of eight studies were included. From the data we identified five meta-themes that together depict how psychedelic experiences may act as catalysts for transformation. Our interpretive narrative posits that core transformative processes (Mind-Body-Spirit, Emotional Processing), unfold within specific contextual conditions (Navigating Challenges and Risks, Enabling Safe and Supportive Experiences), and lead to meaningful outcomes (Therapeutic Improvements). Meta- and sub-themes reflect ED-specific elements, highlighting that psychedelics may improve emotion processing and enhance perception of and connection with the body and the self, which is pertinent to ED recovery. Themes also indicate the increased risk for adverse side effects with low weight and other physical vulnerabilities associated with EDs. The themes and interpretive narratives identified in this meta-synthesis suggest that to achieve therapeutic outcomes, ED-specific contextual conditions are required to facilitate internal processes during psychedelic therapy for EDs. This includes minimising the uncertainty that typifies EDs through exploration of expectations and autonomy in selection of setting elements (e.g. lighting, music, eye-mask) or collaboratively agreeing strategies for if anxiety spikes. Further, facilitators should require dual competency in psychedelic treatment and ED psychopathology and treatment.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Patients with treatment-resistant depression enrolled in an open-label trial of psilocybin | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 20 |
| LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects Patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases | 2014 | Prospective follow-up with qualitative content analysis | n = 10 |
| Patient Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Adults aged 22 to 69 with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 13 |
| Psychedelic therapy for smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis of participant accounts Participants who completed a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation pilot study | 2018 | Qualitative follow-up study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis | n = 12 |
| The hidden therapist: evidence for a central role of music in psychedelic therapy Patients undergoing psychedelic therapy with psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression | 2018 | Qualitative study | n = 19 |
Citations in the library
Cites 60
- Psychedelics and the essential importance of context. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 15, 2018
- Emotional breakthrough and psychedelics: Validation of the Emotional Breakthrough Inventory. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 11, 2019
- Therapeutic effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics: A systematic review of modern‐era clinical studies Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica October 30, 2020
- Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 2, 2022
- The psychedelic renaissance and the limitations of a White-dominant medical framework: A call for indigenous and ethnic minority inclusion Journal of Psychedelic Studies July 1, 2019
and 55 more in the library