Eating Disorders · Texas behavioral health news
Could Psilocybin Help Treat Anorexia? A Small Clinical Trial Suggests the Psychedelic May Make Patients More Open to Recovery - Smithsonian Magazine
Eating Disorders (Google News) · August 11, 2026
In plain language
A small clinical trial suggests that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may help people with anorexia by making them more open to recovery. Researchers found that the drug, when combined with intensive therapy, helped break through the rigid thinking patterns often associated with the disorder. While many participants saw symptom improvements, the study was small and did not find significant changes in body weight over the short term. Scientists caution that this is not a magic cure and requires significant professional support to be effective.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Psilocybin may help reduce the rigid, black-and-white thinking patterns common in people living with anorexia.
- A small study showed 18 out of 21 participants had improved eating disorder symptoms after treatment.
- The treatment involves a synthetic version of the compound paired with approximately 50 hours of psychological support.
- Researchers emphasize that the drug is not a quick fix and requires a strong therapeutic relationship.
- Side effects reported in the trial were mostly mild, such as headaches and nausea.
- Larger trials with more diverse groups are needed to prove if the treatment is truly effective and safe.
Could Psilocybin Help Treat Anorexia? A Small Clinical Trial Suggests the Psychedelic May Make Patients More Open to Recovery Smithsonian Magazine
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