Study of Psilocybin for Anorexia in Young Adults
This is a single site trial of psilocybin therapy for the treatment of refractory Anorexia Nervosa in young adults. The psilocybin therapy will include three preparatory sessions, psilocybin dosing session one (20mg), two integration sessions, psilocybin dosing session two (up to 30mg), and four final integration sessions. Eating disorder symptoms will be measured pre and post treatment. One to two family member(s) of each young adult participant will be enrolled in the study. One of which will be required to attend a portion of two preparatory sessions and a portion of two integration sessions and receive psychoeducation about supporting the young adult participant through preparation and integration for psilocybin therapy. Investigators hypothesize that psilocybin will increase cognitive flexibility and that this increase will predict long-term changes in cognitive rigidity, habitual eating, and exercise behaviors in patients with Anorexia Nervosa.
• Able to understand and provide informed consent.
• Between 18 and 25 years old at time of screening.
• Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) criteria for any type of Anorexia Nervosa
• Currently experiencing symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
• Persistence of Anorexia Nervosa diagnosis after at least one attempt of eating disorder focused treatment or higher level of care
• Comfortable reading and writing in English
• Have no anticipated changes in medication or surgical procedures for trial duration
• Commit to attend all in-person and remote study visits and participate in all data collection procedures
• Able to identify one or two family members or close friends to co-enroll in the study, who will be required to participate in select therapy sessions. The co-enrolled family member and/or another non-enrolled family member must be willing and able to pick them up and stay with them overnight on dosing days.
• Agree to use a highly effective form of contraception for two weeks prior to starting the study and one month after finishing the study.
• Agree that for one week preceding each psilocybin session, they will refrain from taking any nonprescription medication, nutritional supplement, or herbal supplement except when approved by the research team. Exceptions will be evaluated by the research team and will include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and common doses of vitamins and minerals.
• Agree to consume approximately the same amount of caffeine-containing beverages (e.g., coffee, tea) that they usually consume before arriving at the research unit on the mornings of psilocybin administration sessions. If the young adult participant does not routinely consume caffeinated beverages, they must agree not to do so prior to psilocybin administration sessions.