MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Psilocybin therapy and anorexia nervosa: a narrative review of safety considerations for researchers and clinicians

Summary

This review examines the safety of psilocybin therapy for treating anorexia nervosa, a serious eating disorder with limited treatment options. The authors analyze how psilocybin’s common side effects (like increased heart rate, nausea, and dizziness) interact with medical complications already present in people with anorexia. Based on early clinical trials, they conclude that psilocybin can be safely used in this population with proper medical screening and monitoring protocols tailored to their specific vulnerabilities.

Background

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental health condition with limited treatment efficacy and high mortality. Current evidence-based treatments show poor psychological symptom improvement, and no medications have been proven effective for treating AN. Clinical trials using psilocybin therapy to treat AN are currently underway, requiring careful evaluation of safety in this medically vulnerable population.

Objective

To describe how common physiologic adverse effects of psilocybin (tachycardia, hypertension, QT prolongation, nausea, headache, and lightheadedness) may impact medical complications in individuals with AN. The review aims to propose tailored risk mitigation strategies to enhance safety and tolerability of psilocybin therapy in this population.

Results

Early evidence suggests psilocybin is well-tolerated in individuals with AN despite unique medical vulnerabilities. The only published safety trial in AN patients (N=10) reported no serious adverse effects at 25mg dose. Cardiac, gastrointestinal, and neurological adverse effects from psilocybin have manageable interactions with AN-related medical complications when proper screening and monitoring protocols are implemented.

Conclusion

With careful medical screening, appropriate monitoring, and tailored risk mitigation strategies addressing the unique physiologic vulnerabilities of AN, patients are likely to tolerate psilocybin therapy comparably to other clinical populations. Minor modifications to existing safety protocols can effectively enhance safety and tolerability of this novel intervention.
  • Published in:Journal of Eating Disorders,
  • Study Type:Narrative Review,
  • Source: PMID: 38659049, DOI: 10.1186/s40337-024-01005-z
Scroll to Top