Disease: Body dysmorphic disorder

Psychedelics and the Serotonin Hypothesis of Eating Disorders

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This review explores how psychedelic drugs like psilocybin (found in certain mushrooms) might help treat eating disorders by promoting flexible thinking and breaking rigid eating patterns. The authors summarize evidence from animal studies and early clinical trials showing that psychedelics work differently than traditional antidepressants by triggering brain changes that help people adopt new, healthier behaviors. While results are promising, more research is needed to determine the best doses, patient populations, and long-term safety.

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Psychedelics and the treatment of eating disorders: considerations for future research and practice

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As researchers explore using psychedelic drugs like psilocybin to treat eating disorders, this article outlines important safety considerations and ethical guidelines needed before widespread use. While some early trials show promise, significant concerns exist including physiological risks (heart problems, nausea), psychological challenges, potential for therapist misconduct, and medication interactions. The authors recommend rigorous research designs, better inclusion of diverse populations, and careful integration of psychedelics with proven eating disorder treatments.

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Why psychedelic-assisted therapy studies in eating disorders risk missing the mark on outcomes: a phenomenological psychopathology perspective

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This scientific commentary examines how research on psychedelic-assisted therapy for eating disorders may be missing important aspects of how people actually experience the treatment. The authors argue that current study methods rely too heavily on questionnaires that don’t capture the full depth of what people experience during psychedelic sessions. They propose using phenomenological approaches—methods that deeply explore lived experience—to better understand which aspects of the psychedelic experience actually lead to recovery from eating disorders.

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Single-dose psilocybin alters resting state functional networks in patients with body dysmorphic disorder

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Researchers gave eight patients with body dysmorphic disorder (an excessive preoccupation with appearance flaws) a single dose of psilocybin and measured their brain activity before and after treatment. They found that psilocybin increased communication between key brain regions involved in decision-making and attention control. Patients whose brains showed these changes experienced significant symptom improvement within a week, suggesting psilocybin may help by enhancing mental flexibility and emotional regulation in BDD.

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Striking long-term beneficial effects of single dose psilocybin and psychedelic mushroom extract in the SAPAP3 rodent model of OCD-like excessive self-grooming

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Researchers tested whether psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) could treat obsessive-compulsive disorder using genetically modified mice that exhibit excessive grooming similar to OCD in humans. A single dose of psilocybin or psychedelic mushroom extract significantly reduced the excessive grooming behavior and anxiety in these mice, with benefits lasting up to six weeks. These findings suggest psilocybin may be a promising new treatment for OCD in humans, offering longer-lasting effects from a single dose compared to current medications.

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Safety, feasibility, tolerability, and clinical effects of repeated psilocybin dosing combined with non-directive support in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial with blinded ratings

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This clinical trial is investigating whether psilocybin (a psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms) combined with supportive counseling can help people with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. Researchers will give participants two doses of psilocybin while providing non-directive psychological support to help them process their experiences. The study aims to determine whether this approach is safe, tolerable, and effective at reducing OCD symptoms, and to understand the psychological mechanisms that might explain how it works.

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