Psilocybin Therapy Shows Promise for Anorexia

For many people living with anorexia nervosa, recovery can be a long and difficult journey. Despite advances in treatment, a significant number of individuals continue to struggle with persistent symptoms even after years of therapy. That's why new research from Imperial College London is generating excitement among clinicians and researchers alike.

A recent pilot study explored whether psilocybin-assisted therapy could help people with longstanding anorexia nervosa. The findings offer fresh hope that this emerging treatment approach could make a meaningful difference for people who have struggled with the condition for years.

The study involved 21 women who had been living with anorexia nervosa for an average of 11 years. Participants received carefully supervised doses of psilocybin as part of a structured therapeutic program that included preparation before each session and follow-up psychotherapy afterward. Rather than viewing psilocybin as a standalone treatment, the researchers examined how it could work alongside professional psychological support.

The findings were encouraging. Most participants experienced meaningful improvements in their eating disorder symptoms following treatment. Two weeks after the final treatment session, 18 of the 21 participants showed measurable progress. Even more encouraging, nearly half of the participants had symptom scores within the range typically seen in people without an eating disorder three months after treatment.

Beyond symptom improvement, many participants reported feeling more motivated to recover. This increased sense of hope and willingness to engage with recovery may be especially important, as anorexia nervosa often becomes deeply entrenched over time. Researchers also found that many of these positive changes persisted for up to a year after treatment, suggesting the benefits may extend well beyond the treatment period itself.

Several aspects of the study stand out:

• Participants had lived with anorexia nervosa for many years, making positive outcomes particularly meaningful.
• The treatment combined psilocybin with structured psychotherapy, highlighting the importance of professional therapeutic support.
• Improvements were observed in eating disorder symptoms and motivation to recover.
• Benefits were sustained for many participants months after treatment.

The treatment was generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported side effects were temporary headaches and nausea, both of which are consistent with previous research on psilocybin-assisted therapy. Overall, the safety profile aligned with what researchers have seen in other clinical studies.

The study represents an exciting milestone. For a condition that has long needed more effective treatment options, these early results suggest that psilocybin-assisted therapy could become a valuable addition to the therapeutic toolbox. With larger studies already on the horizon, researchers are continuing to build the evidence needed to better understand this innovative approach.

While there is still much to learn, this research offers something that everyone affected by anorexia nervosa can appreciate: genuine reason for hope. As science continues to explore new ways of supporting recovery, treatments that once seemed unlikely are beginning to show real promise—and that makes the future look brighter than ever.

Source: Douglass HM, Spriggs MJ, Godfrey K, et al. Psilocybin therapy for adult females with anorexia nervosa: pilot study. The British Journal of Psychiatry. Published online 2026:1-9. doi:10.1192/bjp.2026.10687