Breakthrough Study Reveals Unexpected Allies in Eating Disorder Treatment
A groundbreaking international survey has uncovered surprising insights about substance use among people with eating disorders. Cannabis and psychedelics emerged as the most highly rated treatments for symptom relief, challenging conventional approaches to these complex mental health conditions.
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| Key Finding | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Size | 7,600+ participants across 83 countries |
| Top Rated Substances | Cannabis and psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD) |
| Most Benefited Group | People with restrictive eating disorders |
| Cannabis Benefits | Enhanced food reward and motivation |
| Psychedelic Effects | Long-lasting positive impacts despite infrequent use |
| Prescribed Medications | Mixed results for eating disorder symptoms |
Cannabis Transforms Food Relationships
The research revealed that cannabis particularly helps individuals with anorexia nervosa and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. These conditions typically reduce food motivation and the pleasure associated with eating. Cannabis appears to restore these crucial aspects of healthy eating behavior.
Participants reported that the substance enhanced the rewarding aspects of food consumption. This finding suggests a potential therapeutic pathway for disorders where food has become a source of anxiety rather than nourishment.
Psychedelics Offer Lasting Relief
Although used infrequently, psychedelics showed remarkable staying power in their benefits. Study participants typically used substances like psilocybin and LSD only once or twice annually. Despite this limited frequency, users reported sustained positive effects on their eating disorder symptoms.
This pattern aligns with emerging research on psychedelics for depression and anxiety treatment. The compounds appear to create lasting neurological changes that extend well beyond their immediate effects.
Prescribed Medications Show Limited Success
Traditional treatments received mixed reviews from participants. Antidepressants helped with general mental health but failed to directly address eating disorder symptoms. Prescription stimulants for binge eating disorder worked well for their intended population but worsened symptoms in people with restrictive disorders.
These findings highlight the complexity of eating disorder treatment and the need for more targeted therapeutic approaches. The research team emphasizes that these results do not endorse self medication but rather point toward areas requiring formal clinical investigation.
