The Potential of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Eating Disorders
Natalie Gukasyan, Samantha Hilbert, Angela S Guarda
The Handbook of the Neurobiology of Eating Disorders October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1093/9780197675212.003.0027 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key findings | Psychedelic-assisted therapies may enhance existing treatments for eating disorders, but definitive evidence is still pending and high-quality research is needed. |
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelic-assisted therapies are emerging as novel treatments of interest for a range of mental health issues, including eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin, may exert biological and psychological effects pertinent to the pathophysiology of eating disorders. Initial clinical trials are underway to confirm the safety and therapeutic potential of these agents for eating disorder treatment. Although definitive evidence is still pending, preliminary studies hint that psychedelic-assisted therapies could enhance the effectiveness of existing evidence-based treatments for these challenging conditions. The need for high-quality, robust research in this area remains, given that efficacy is yet to be conclusively established. Additionally, caution is warranted in the rush to legalize and market the use of psychedelics as a treatment for these serious disorders.