Clinical Trial Unveils Potential of Psilocybin Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa
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A trial published in Nature Medicine that had shown how psilocybin therapy affects individuals with anorexia nervosa. In a recent study researchers explored psychedelic medicine's potential for treating one of psychiatry's most challenging conditions. This new Emerging Topic review reveals both promising outcomes and important limitations that could shape future treatment approaches.
The study published in Psychedelics, offers a unique first-hand perspective on how psilocybin treatment impacts patients with anorexia nervosa, a condition that maintains the highest mortality rate among psychiatric illnesses and has historically resisted conventional treatments.
“Our findings suggest that psilocybin may be helpful in supporting meaningful psychological change in a subset of people with anorexia nervosa,” says Dr. Stephanie Knatz Peck, lead author of the study. “What's particularly interesting is that 60% of participants reported a reduction in the importance of physical appearance, while 70% noted quality-of-life improvements and shifts in personal identity.”
Key findings from the trial include:
• 90% of participants ranked their psilocybin session among their top five most meaningful life experiences
• Four out of ten participants showed clinically significant reductions in eating disorder psychopathology
• Treatment effects were most pronounced in shape and weight concerns
• Changes in psychological outlook didn't automatically translate to weight restoration
The study employed a single 25mg dose of psilocybin combined with specialized psychological support before, during, and after administration. While the results show promise, they also highlight the complexity of treating anorexia nervosa, suggesting that psychedelic therapy might work best as part of a comprehensive treatment approach rather than a standalone intervention.
Reference: Stephanie Knatz Peck et al, Psychedelic treatment for anorexia nervosa: A first-hand view of how psilocybin treatment did and did not help, Psychedelics (2024) url.genomicpress.com/2p8c5kp3
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