Innovative Pharmacological Approaches to Eating Disorder Treatment.
The Psychiatric clinics of North America March 1, 2026 Aaron Keshen, Stephen Touyz, Emilie Lacroix et al.
Innovative pharmacologic treatments for eating disorders, including psychedelics and stimulant medications, are being explored. Preliminary evidence suggests psilocybin may enhance cognitive flexibility and support psychological interventions in some eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Lisdexamfetamine offers benefits for binge-eating disorder, while medications for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and bulimia nervosa remain understudied. The article underscores the need for robust clinical trials to evaluate these approaches and advocates for integrating novel treatments into existing therapeutic frameworks to address the complex biological and psychological dimensions of eating disorders.