Unlocking Psilocybin’s Therapeutic Potential in Treating Eating Disorders

The Battle Against Rigid Thoughts

Eating disorders are not just about the food you eat, or spurn as it often goes. They’re also about the mind games—the sense of self-image distorted through the warped lens of body dysmorphia, anorexia, or bulimia. Researchers, Elena Koning and Elisa Brietzke, think psilocybin, that magical ingredient in magic mushrooms, might just have the magic we need to win this psychological skirmish. They argue that psilocybin could combat the rigid thought patterns that underpin these disorders, bringing about mental elasticity, and profound insights into one’s self-image.

As Koning describes in her writings for PsyPost, psilocybin could crack down on these wall-builders in our mind, facilitating the construction of healthier and more adaptable thought patterns. Researchers suggest psilocybin therapy as an “adjunctive treatment for individuals with EDs.”

The Mortality Rate of Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders (EDs) win the infamous prize for the psychiatric disorders with the highest mortality rate. A stat that, frankly, makes my heart sink further than my last failed attempt at a deadlift. And, on top of that, we find that treatment-resistant EDs are on the rise and conventional approaches often toss up a white flag.

The study “Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy as a Potential Treatment for Eating Disorders” underscores the desperate need for more effective treatments, and psilocybin may just be the missing ingredient in this recipe for recovery. It’s far from a finished project, but the early findings lend a dusting of optimism to this realm of psychiatric treatment.

The Psychedelic Solution

Psilocybin-assisted therapy points a magnifying glass at the core troubles that conventional treatments often gloss over. Imagine a gym instructor giving you a rigorous full-body workout plan but skipping the core-abs day. Doesn’t quite hit the mark, does it?

A narrative from 1959 introduces us to a woman unable to conquer her battle with anorexia nervosa until two doses of psilocybin stepped into the scene. She saw immediate mood elevation, an in-depth understanding of her symptoms’ origins, and long-term weight resolution. We aren’t aiming to erase every calorie-laden thought but to shush the harmful chatter in our minds courtesy of EDs.

Psilocybin therapy doesn’t just mute the rigid thinking patterns; it amplifies serotonin signalling and chills out the over-active brain networks. This symphony of change boosts body image perception, makes rewarding processes more rewarding and helps relax restrictive beliefs. It’s like reprogramming your mindset from an exhausting marathon to an energizing sprint.

A Look at the Clinical Trials

A clinical trial from the University of California, San Diego joint therapy with a single dose of psilocybin for women with anorexia nervosa. It’s the mind-body teamwork we love to see! Outcomes suggest safe treatment and a thumbs-up for this psychedelic approach.

Post-treatment, participants tallied their experiences. The results? Positive life perspectives! Improved quality of life! Meaningful experiences! Most importantly, symptom remission among some participants. It’s an impressive list, though the study concludes, “the literature to date is not sufficient to propose the incorporation of psilocybin in the treatment of disordered eating behaviours.”

In a nutshell:

• Researchers find potential for using psilocybin— a serotonergic psychedelic—as a helping hand in treatment-resistant eating disorders.
• Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate among psychiatric disorders, shining a light on the need for effective treatment strategies.
• Psilocybin-assisted therapy addresses the rigid thought patterns often overlooked in traditional therapies, propelling a shift towards more flexible and healthier mindsets.
• Early studies suggest psilocybin therapy is safe and well-tolerated, with some participants reporting improved outlook on life, and a few entering symptom remission post-therapy. However, comprehensive clinical trials are needed to confirm psilocybin’s potential as an ED treatment.

Source Citation: https://hightimes.com/psychedelics/can-psilocybin-treat-eating-disorders-a-new-study-aims-to-find-out/