Psilocybin Therapy Shows Potential

A small trial into psilocybin therapy for anorexia nervosa has produced preliminary evidence that it could help people with the condition.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic drug found in fungi—commonly known as magic mushrooms. The study investigated the safety, efficacy and tolerability of COMPASS Pathways’ COMP360 psilocybin therapy. Patients with anorexia nervosa were given a single 25mg dose in the trial conducted by Dr Walter Kaye at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. Of the ten participants, three experienced reductions in eating disorder psychopathology after one month and four at the three-month follow-up. Participants demonstrated reductions in shape concerns after one month and reductions in eating concerns after three months. The drug was well-tolerated, and nine of the ten participants found the experience to be meaningful and therapeutic.

Dr Guy Goodwin, chief medical officer of COMPASS Pathways, said, “The results provide promising preliminary evidence that COMP360 psilocybin therapy could help people living with anorexia nervosa,” adding that this, “underlines our belief that this needs to be further investigated in larger scale clinical studies.”