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Psychedelic treatment for anorexia nervosa: A first-hand view of how psilocybin treatment did and did not help

Jessie Kim, Samantha Shao, Julie Trim, Walter H. Kaye, Stéphanie Knatz Peck, Hannah M. Fisher

Psychedelics November 7, 2024 DOI: 10.61373/pp024e.0034 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Pilot study Peer reviewed
Sample size 10
Population Individuals with lived experience of anorexia nervosa
Intervention Psilocybin treatment
Topics Psilocybin
Keywords Anorexia nervosa Psychotherapist Population Mental health Clinical psychology Hallucinogen
Citations 2
Key findings Psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa shows potential benefits and constraints, as reported by 10 individuals with lived experience.

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness with high mortality rates and limited treatment outcomes. Psilocybin treatment (PT) has shown promise for various mental health indications and there is significant interest in exploring its potential for AN; however, studies to date are preliminary. Given the probable surge in psychedelic studies for AN, more information is needed to understand how to successfully apply and optimize these treatments for this vulnerable population. In this Emerging Topics article, we present a nuanced exploration of the potential benefits and constraints of PT for AN, contextualized within the framework of our clinical findings from a modest phase 1 pilot study. We offer here a synthesis of first-hand experiences and comprehensive thematic insights gleaned from 10 individuals with lived experience, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives on this novel therapeutic approach.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on psilocybin, 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
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
Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and LSD Cluster headache patients who used psilocybin or LSD 2006 Qualitative study n = 53
Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress Adult participants with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis 2017 Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis n = 13

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