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Therapeutic emergence of dissociated traumatic memories during psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa

Summary

Two patients with severe anorexia nervosa received psilocybin-assisted therapy and unexpectedly recovered memories of sexual assault that had been unconsciously suppressed. Processing these traumatic memories with professional support led both patients to achieve remission from their eating disorders within three months. This case report suggests that psilocybin may help unlock and heal deeply buried trauma underlying eating disorders, though more research is needed to understand how this works and ensure patient safety.

Background

Anorexia nervosa is a severe psychiatric disorder often resistant to treatment, frequently associated with trauma histories and dissociative symptoms. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is emerging as a novel treatment for psychiatric disorders, though its effects on dissociation and trauma in eating disorders remain unexplored.

Objective

To describe the therapeutic emergence of previously dissociated traumatic memories during psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in patients with anorexia nervosa and examine the potential mechanisms and clinical implications of this phenomenon.

Results

Two of ten participants reported emergence of previously dissociated memories of sexual assault during dosing sessions. Both patients processed these traumatic memories with therapeutic benefit and attained remission of anorexia nervosa at 3-month follow-up with significant reductions in Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire scores and clinically meaningful weight gain.

Conclusion

Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy may hold promise for treating eating disorders complicated by trauma and dissociative amnesia by facilitating recovery and integration of dissociated traumatic memories, though larger controlled studies are needed to substantiate these findings and establish safe treatment protocols.
  • Published in:Journal of Eating Disorders,
  • Study Type:Case Report/Pilot Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40420197, DOI: 10.1186/s40337-025-01274-2
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