A few small trials have shown promising early evidence that psilocybin, the psychoactive substance found in magic mushrooms, may be effective in treating anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by distorted body image and severe food restriction. Individuals who took psilocybin experienced a decrease in the severity of their eating disorder symptoms.
Prior studies have demonstrated that psilocybin can improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and addiction, which often co-occur alongside anorexia and share some similarities with the eating disorder. Several research groups are now exploring the potential of psilocybin to enhance treatment outcomes for anorexia.
