Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for People with Eating Disorders
This review (2022) offers food for thought on the potential use of psychedelic-assisted therapy for treating eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, using up-to-date research.
Authors
- Roland Griffiths
- Natalie Gukasyan
Published
Abstract
Purpose of Review: A growing body of research suggests psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) may be safe and effective for a variety of mental health conditions. Among these, eating disorders have been a recent target of interest. This review provides an up-to-date summary of the potential mechanisms and use of PAT in people diagnosed with eating disorders, with a focus on anorexia nervosa.Recent Findings: Classic psychedelics may have transdiagnostic efficacy through several mechanisms relevant to eating disorder pathology. Interest in, and efforts to increase access to PAT are both high. Early clinical trials are focused on establishing the safety and utility of this treatment in eating disorders, and efficacy remains unclear.Summary: High-quality published data to support the use of PAT for people with eating disorders remains lacking. Recent studies however suggest PAT has the potential to augment the efficacy of current interventions for these difficult-to-treat conditions.
Research Summary of 'Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for People with Eating Disorders'
Introduction
Following a decades-long hiatus in clinical research, interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has resurged. PAT is described as a hybrid intervention combining a small number of moderate-to-high doses of a psychedelic drug with a brief psychotherapeutic framework that typically includes preparatory, dosing, and integration sessions. Contemporary trials in other indications have suggested rapid-onset and potentially durable benefits for major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, prompting investigators to explore PAT’s transdiagnostic potential. This review concentrates on the potential application of PAT to eating disorders, with a particular emphasis on anorexia nervosa (AN). It aims to summarise pharmacology and historical context, possible mechanisms by which psychedelics might influence eating-disorder pathology, extant human and preclinical data, and outstanding methodological, safety, regulatory and access issues that bear on clinical development and implementation of PAT for this patient group.
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Study Details
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Gukasyan, N., Schreyer, C. C., Griffiths, R. R., & Guarda, A. S. (2022). Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for People with Eating Disorders. Current Psychiatry Reports, 24(12), 767-775. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-022-01394-5
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Cited By (2)
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
Peck, S. K., Knatz Peck, S., Brewerton, T. D. et al. · Journal of Eating Disorders (2025)
Peck, S. K., Shao, S., Grue, T. et al. · Nature Medicine (2023)
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