Psychedelic use in individuals living with eating disorders or disordered eating: findings from the international MED–FED survey

Résumé fourni par la source

There are few effective treatments for eating disorders (EDs), and new interventions are urgently needed. The MEDication and other drugs For Eating Disorders (“MED–FED”) survey investigated the lived experience of adults with EDs regarding their prescription and non-prescription drugs use. Psychedelic drugs were highly rated in this survey for their impact on ED symptoms and general mental health. Here, we provide a more granular analysis of a subset of the data pertaining to psychedelic drug use from this survey. The MED–FED survey recruited adults who self-reported either a clinically diagnosed ED or disordered eating that was currently undiagnosed but causing significant distress. The demographics of recent and lifetime psychedelic users relative to non-users were examined, as well as their use of other prescription and non-prescription drugs, and co-morbid conditions. Qualitative analysis was used to examine themes emerging from open-ended comments around use of psychedelic drugs. Of the 5247 participants who completed the survey, 1699/5247 (32.4%) reported lifetime psychedelic use, with 1019/5247 (19.4%) having used in the last 12 months. Typical use involved infrequent consumption, once or twice per year, of psilocybin, LSD, 2-CB, or DMT. Those who reported recent psychedelic use were younger and less likely to currently use prescription drugs or to have been recently hospitalised for their ED. They were more likely to use other non-prescription drugs (e.g. cannabis, ketamine, stimulants) and to report co-morbid ADHD, PTSD, ASD, and substance misuse. Participants with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa were less likely to report psychedelic use, while those with an undiagnosed ED were more likely. Qualitative analysis of responses (n = 200) revealed themes of profound transformation, increased connectedness, and new insights into illness following psychedelic experiences. A handful of respondents reported benefits from microdosing. A few respondents reported adverse outcomes in their open-ended comments, including “bad trips” (n = 15) and worsened ED symptoms (n = 8) after psychedelic use. These findings provide a unique insight into psychedelic use among individuals with EDs. The results align with emerging evidence suggesting that psychedelics may be beneficial in this population, highlighting the need for further research, including clinical trials, to explore their efficacy and safety. Eating disorders (EDs) are notoriously difficult to treat, with an urgent need for new and more effective interventions. Preliminary evidence from small clinical trials and observational studies have suggested that psychedelic drugs may help manage ED symptoms. The MEDication and other drugs For Eating Disorders (“MED-FED”) survey recruited adults who self-reported a clinically diagnosed ED, or symptoms consistent with an ED, and comprehensively queried recent use of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs. Almost one third (32.4%) of respondents reported lifetime use of psychedelics, with 19.4% having used psychedelics within the past 12 months. Psychedelics were amongst the most highly rated drugs for improving ED symptoms and also rated well for improving overall mental health. Psilocybin and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) were the most commonly used psychedelics, with typical use only 1-2 times per year. Side effects were generally rated as minimal, although a small minority of respondents reported significant adverse events (e.g. “bad trips”). Psychedelic users were less likely than non-users to currently use prescription drugs for their ED but were more likely to be using other non-prescription drugs. Respondents with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa were less likely than those with other ED diagnoses to use psychedelics. Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses from respondents identified themes of profound transformation of ED illness, enhanced connectedness, and valuable insights into the illness gained through psychedelic use. These results suggest that psychedelics may offer potential in the treatment of EDs and encourage further research into their therapeutic benefits.

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