Innovative and Emerging Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa

Medications have shown little success in improving eating disorder cognitions, and many patients do not benefit from evidence-based psychotherapies. Anorexia nervosa is becoming more common and remains difficult to treat. This article reviews early research into cannabidiol, psilocybin therapy, ketamine, the ketogenic diet, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vagus nerve stimulation for anorexia nervosa. These pilot studies highlight the need for larger, more diverse clinical trials to move findings into clinical practice.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Unlike psychopharmacologic interventions for other psychiatric conditions, few medications have emerged as helpful in improving eating disorder cognitions and evidence-based psychotherapies fail many patients. Novel treatments are urgently needed to address anorexia nervosa (AN), which is increasingly prevalent and difficult to treat. This article provides an overview of preliminary investigations into cannabidiol, psilocybin therapy, ketamine and the ketogenic diet, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vagus nerve stimulation in individuals with AN. These pilot studies underscore the need for larger clinical trials that include more participant diversity in order to rapidly translate findings to real-world clinical practice.