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Investigating the Potential of Psilocybin for Compulsive Eating in a Rat Model of Binge Eating

Summary

Researchers tested whether psilocybin, a psychedelic compound from magic mushrooms, could help reduce compulsive eating in rats bred to binge eat high-fat, high-sugar foods. Using a fear-conditioning experiment, they found that a single dose of psilocybin did not reduce the rats’ compulsive eating behavior at the dosage tested. However, the treatment may have affected fear-related freezing responses, suggesting psilocybin might influence brain circuits involved in learning and memory.

Background

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most prevalent eating disorder, often associated with metabolic syndrome and mental health comorbidities. BED involves compulsive intake of high-fat/high-sugar foods and neuroplastic changes in brain regions such as the nucleus accumbens, dorsal striatum, and prefrontal cortex. Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, has been shown to promote neuroplasticity and may offer a novel intervention for compulsive eating.

Objective

This study aimed to assess whether psilocybin reduces compulsive eating in a preclinical rodent model of binge eating disorder. The researchers hypothesized that psilocybin would reduce compulsive-like eating in their rat model.

Results

Psilocybin at the tested dose did not impact latency to start eating or food intake on test day. The treatment potentially affected freezing behavior, though analysis was ongoing at the time of publication.

Conclusion

While psilocybin did not significantly reduce compulsive eating at the tested dose, its potential effects on fear conditioning may reflect modulation of learning and memory circuits. Ongoing molecular analyses were planned to explore possible underlying neurobiological mechanisms.
  • Published in:International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology,
  • Study Type:Preclinical Animal Study,
  • Source: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaf052.111, PMC12359587
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