Health
Small pilot study tests psilocybin therapy for severe anorexia nervosa
Researchers at Imperial College London found significant symptom reductions in half of trial participants, though experts caution findings are preliminary.
The short version
- A small clinical pilot trial evaluated psilocybin paired with psychotherapy for treating severe, long-term anorexia nervosa.
- Three months after receiving oral doses, half of the 21 female participants achieved symptom scores comparable to individuals without an eating disorder.
- Experts emphasize that while results are promising, the data is preliminary and the treatment experience can be psychologically distressing.
Key facts
- A pilot trial conducted by researchers at Imperial College London included 21 women who had lived with anorexia nervosa for an average of 11 years.[Scientific American]
- The protocol included three oral doses of psilocybin (one 1-milligram dose and two 25-milligram doses) alongside preparatory and integration psychotherapy.[Scientific American]
- Three months following the dosing sessions, half of the participants recorded eating disorder symptom scores equivalent to individuals without a diagnosis.[Scientific American]
- Participants reported an increased motivation to change that persisted for up to a year following treatment.[Scientific American]
- The trial focused on psychological outcomes rather than nutritional interventions, and researchers noted no meaningful changes in participants' BMI.[Scientific American]
What remains uncertain
- Because the pilot trial had a small sample size of 21 participants and no control group was detailed, experts stress the findings cannot yet alter standard clinical practice.[Scientific American]
Sources
- What happened when people with anorexia tried magic mushroomsScientific American metered