New research published by the American Medical Association highlights that cannabis and psychedelics, including psilocybin and LSD, are the most highly rated substances by individuals with eating disorders for alleviating symptoms.
In a global survey of over 7,600 participants across 83 countries affected by various eating disorders, these nonprescription drugs outperformed commonly prescribed psychotropics in self-reported effectiveness specifically for eating disorder symptom relief.
While prescription antidepressants were positively rated for general mental health improvements, they were less effective for eating disorder symptoms. Alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco were consistently rated as the most harmful substances by respondents.
Cannabis use was particularly noted to help those with restrictive eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), likely because of its role in enhancing the pleasure derived from food, addressing a core challenge in these conditions.
The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, suggest that classic psychedelics may possess unique properties helpful for eating disorder symptom management, a benefit not equally shared by substances like MDMA or ketamine.
The study’s authors, affiliated with the University of Sydney and other notable institutions, urge further research and clinical trials to explore these promising effects, with some trials already underway investigating psilocybin’s potential in treating anorexia nervosa.
This comprehensive survey underscores the potential of cannabis and psychedelics as therapeutic avenues for eating disorders, marking a significant step forward in an area with limited pharmacological treatment options.
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