Innovative Pharmacological Approaches to Eating Disorder Treatment.
Aaron Keshen, Stephen Touyz, Emilie Lacroix, Phillipa Hay, Susan L McElroy
The Psychiatric clinics of North America March 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2025.08.014 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractInnovative 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.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psilocybin Lisdexamfetamine |
| Keywords | Anorexia nervosa Binge-eating disorder Bulimia nervosa Eating disorders Pharmacotherapy |
| Key finding | Preliminary evidence suggests psilocybin may enhance cognitive flexibility and support psychological interventions in some eating disorders, and lisdexamfetamine offers benefits for binge-eating disorder. |
Abstract
This article explores innovative pharmacologic treatments for eating disorders, focusing on psychedelics, stimulant medications, and other emerging therapies. Preliminary evidence for psychedelics (eg, psilocybin) highlight their potential to enhance cognitive flexibility and support psychological interventions in some eating disorders (eg, anorexia nervosa). Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine offer benefits for binge-eating disorder, while medications for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and bulimia nervosa remain understudied. The study 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.