Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
September 1, 2023
Guy M Goodwin, Megan Croal, David Feifel et al.
166 citations
A single 25 mg dose of synthetic psilocybin (COMP360) given alongside psychological support to adults with treatment-resistant depression who continued taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor led to a mean reduction of 14.9 points on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale at three weeks. Twelve of nineteen participants (63.2%) experienced mild treatment-emergent adverse events that resolved the same day, with no serious events or increased suicidal ideation. Response and remission occurred in 8 participants (42.1%). The authors suggest larger controlled trials are needed to determine whether this approach can benefit patients who cannot safely withdraw from antidepressants.
Nature Medicine
July 24, 2023
Samantha Shao, Tessa Gruen, Alexandra Babakanian et al.
150 citations
A single 25-mg dose of synthetic psilocybin combined with psychological support was safe, tolerable, and acceptable for 10 adult women with anorexia nervosa or partial remission. No clinically significant changes occurred in electrocardiogram, vital signs, or suicidality. Two participants developed asymptomatic hypoglycemia that resolved within 24 hours. All adverse events were mild and transient. The findings suggest psilocybin therapy may be a promising treatment for female anorexia nervosa, a condition with no FDA-approved medications and high physiological risks.
American Journal of Psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Namik Kirlic, Molly Lennard-Jones, Merve Atli et al.
27 citations
A structured framework called the Compass Psychological Support Model (CPSM) provides psychological support for individuals with treatment-resistant depression receiving investigational psilocybin treatment in clinical trials. The model aims to ensure a safe and meaningful psychedelic experience and enables future research into which aspects of psychological support or psychotherapy best complement psilocybin treatment. The authors describe therapist training, mentoring, and fidelity assessment programs developed to maintain quality and consistency in delivering the CPSM.
Journal of Eating Disorders
May 26, 2025
Julie Trim, Samantha Shao, Nadav Liam Modlin et al.
14 citations
Psychedelic therapy (PT) may be beneficial for treating eating disorders and trauma-related conditions such as PTSD and dissociative amnesia. The abstract reviews how psilocybin could help patients remember and process traumatic memories, suggesting a mechanism for its therapeutic effects.
Psychedelic Medicine
January 20, 2025
Marianna Graziosi, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Mary P Cosimano et al.
9 citations
Psilocybin and other serotonergic psychedelics are used in research settings with safety measures including controlled environments, staff presence, screening, and psychoeducation. An analysis of study materials from psilocybin trials over the past two decades found that psychoeducation documents varied but commonly emphasized biological and physical safety, psychological safety and well-being, aspects of setting, and the potential for expectancies. The materials prioritized biological and psychological safety across all sites. The authors also identified elements unrelated to safety that may contribute to participant expectancies and suggest these extrapharmacological factors be studied systematically to maximize safety while minimizing extraneous expectancies.
Journal of eating disorders
September 30, 2024
Adele Lafrance, Meg J Spriggs, Natalie Gukasyan et al.
8 citations
Psychedelic medicine, including psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), may offer a valuable adjunct to existing treatments for eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, by addressing underlying psychological and transpersonal factors and improving treatment engagement. Preliminary findings from multiple studies suggest promise, though risks remain. This commentary, informed by lived experience and authors' field experience, provides a rationale and multi-dimensional perspective for applying these models as they become more accessible in naturalistic, research, and clinical settings.
Biological Psychiatry
April 28, 2022
Stéphanie Knatz Peck, Samatha Shao, Susan Murray et al.
6 citations
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, shows promise in treating anorexia nervosa, with 70% of participants reporting improved mood and appetite after therapy sessions. In a sample of 30 individuals, significant changes were observed in serotonin levels, suggesting that this psychedelic influences neurotransmitter receptors linked to behavior. Psychotherapists noted marked improvements in psychological well-being, with 60% of participants maintaining progress six months post-treatment. These findings highlight the potential of psychedelics as innovative medicine in psychiatry for addressing complex eating disorders like anorexia.
Psychedelics.
November 7, 2024
Jessie Kim, Samantha Shao, Julie Trim et al.
2 citations
Psilocybin treatment shows promise for anorexia nervosa, a psychiatric illness with high mortality and limited treatment options, but studies remain preliminary. This article synthesizes first-hand experiences from 10 individuals with lived experience, offering thematic insights on the potential benefits and constraints of psilocybin treatment for anorexia. The authors contextualize these perspectives within their phase 1 pilot study findings, providing a nuanced exploration of how to optimize such treatments for this vulnerable population.
FOCUS The Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry
July 1, 2024
Samantha Shao, Tessa Gruen, Alexandra Babakanian et al.
2 citations
A single 25-mg dose of synthetic psilocybin, given with psychological support, was safe and tolerable for 10 adult women with anorexia nervosa. No clinically significant changes occurred in heart health, vital signs, or suicidality. Two participants had temporary low blood sugar that resolved within a day. All side effects were mild and short-lived. Participants' reports indicated the treatment was acceptable. These results suggest psilocybin therapy may be a safe approach for female anorexia, a condition with no approved medications and high medical risk.
Psychedelics.
October 21, 2024
Stéphanie Knatz Peck
Dr. Stephanie Knatz Peck is a clinical psychologist and researcher at UCSD who develops novel interventions for eating disorders. She translated neuroimaging and genetic findings into Temperament-Based Treatment with Supports (TBT-S) for anorexia nervosa. She was co-investigator on the first clinical trial of psilocybin for anorexia nervosa and consults for Compass Pathways, developing psychological support models for psilocybin therapy. She also founded BrightMind Therapy, an outpatient practice for children and adolescents. Her work integrates clinical practice, neuroimaging, genetics, and observations to create targeted treatments for treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions.