Psychedelics for Anorexia?

Psychedelics for Anorexia?

From Altered States by PRX

November 19, 2025 · 42 min · Season 2 · Episode 9

About this episode

The episode explores the potential of psychedelics as a treatment for anorexia through personal stories and ongoing research.

In South Africa, a former ballet dancer and horseback rider struggled for years with anorexia. After undergoing in-patient treatment and regular therapy, she tried psychedelics, and that’s when she got her first meaningful glimpse into what her mind would be like without anorexia. So is this actually a potential treatment? Early research suggests it could be. And now, at the University of California, San Francisco a new study is underway, exploring whether psilocybin might help young adults with severe anorexia. If you or someone you know are struggling with an eating disorder, help is available. Please call the National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline at 866-662-1235. And for 24/7 support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text “HOME” to 741741 to reach the crisis text line. For a transcript of this episode, please visit this link.

Topics covered

  • psychedelics
  • anorexia
  • mental health
  • treatment
  • research
  • eating disorders

Keywords

  • psychedelics
  • anorexia
  • treatment
  • mental health
  • psilocybin
  • eating disorders
  • research

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of California, San Francisco, National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, crisis text line

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