Exploring the role of psychedelic experiences on wellbeing and symptoms of disordered eating

Eight adults with chronic eating disorders (mean age of onset 13) reported their experiences with psychedelics in naturalistic and clinical settings. Seven of the eight reported lasting cessation or reduction of eating disorder symptoms, with two attributing full recovery to psychedelic use. Two participants relapsed months later due to environmental factors. Thematic analysis identified two overarching themes: 'Exploring' as a 'gateway to healing' covering mental, emotional, and transcendental aspects of the experience, and 'Transformation' enabling cognitive and behavioral changes alongside retrospective safety perceptions. The findings offer detailed insights into potential benefits and risks of psychedelic experiences for people with eating disorders and may guide future research into psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Accumulating psychedelic research has demonstrated a potential for improving mental health and wellbeing, yet studies in the context of eating disorders (EDs) are lim- ited. This study aims to explore the subjective effects of psychedelic experiences to gain insight into the benefits and risks for people with EDs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight adults aged 25–54 (mean age = 36.9), reporting to have had expe- riences with EDs and psychedelics in both naturalistic and clinical settings. Participants had multiple diagnoses and suffered chronic EDs, (mean age of onset = 13), diagnosed (N = 7) and undiagnosed (N = 1). Reports of cessation or the reduction of ED symptoms were unanimous and long-lasting for seven, with two participants reporting recovery attributed to psychedelic use. Two participants reported relapsing, attributed to environ- mental factors in the months following. Thematic analysis resulted in two superordinate themes, each comprising three subordinate themes. The first superordinate theme, ‘Ex- ploring’ via the ‘gateway to healing’, illustrates mental, emotional, and transcendental elements of psychedelic experiences. The second superordinate theme, ‘Transformation’ and being ‘able to do the work’, illustrates cognitive and behavioural outcomes, with retrospective safety perceptions. These findings may provide more in-depth information on what benefits and experiences people with EDs can obtain from the use of psychedelic drugs and may inform more robust investigations of psychedelic-assisted therapy for the treatment of EDs