Therapeutic uses of psychedelics for eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder

Abstract

Background: Clinical use of psychedelics has gained considerable attention, with promising benefits across a range of mental disorders. Current pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and eating disorders (EDs) have limited efficacy. As such, other treatment options such as psychedelic-assisted therapies are being explored in these clinical groups. Aims: This systematic review evaluates evidence related to the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in individuals diagnosed with BDD and EDs. Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of all study designs published to the end of February 2022 that identified changes in ED/BDD symptom severity from psychedelics using validated measures to assess symptom changes. Results: Our search detected a total of 372 studies, of which five met inclusion criteria (two exploratory studies, two case reports, and one prospective study). These were included in the data evaluation. Effects of psychedelics on BDD and various ED symptoms were identified mostly through thematic analyses and self-reports. Conclusions: Our findings highlight that more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of psychedelics in BDD and EDs and we suggest avenues for future exploration.

On serotonin, psychedelics, entactogens and psychoplastogens in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and related disorders.

“…The indications range across an entire spectrum of MDD/TRD, PTSD, GAD, bipolar disorders, pain, substance use and eating disorders, late-stage cancer-related anxiety and depression, autism spectrum disorders and the list keeps increasing. There are multiple generally small scale clinical trials in healthy volunteers or in various indications with psychedelics either as mostly psychological support-assisted monotherapies (Kaelen et al, 2015;Carhart-Harris et al, 2015;2018;Erritzoe et al, 2018;Stroud et al, 2018;Agin-Liebes et al, 2020;Hutten et al, 2020;Mertens et al, 2020;Pokorny et al, 2020;Madsen et al, 2020;Uthaug et al, 2020;Davis et al, 2020;Preller et al, 2020;Spriggs et al, 2020;Verrous et al, 2021;Kaertner et al, 2021;Douglass et al, 2022;Bosch et al, 2022;Duerler et al, 2020;Holze et al, 2021;Family et al, 2020;Müller et al, 2022;Sondergaard et al, 2022;Rucker et al, 2022;Jensen et al, 2022;Burmester et al, 2023;Allen et al, 2024;Eckernas et al, 2023;Good et al, 2023;Ledwos et al, 2023;Mason et al, 2023;Vogt et al, 2023;von Rotz et al, 2023) or as combinations with other psychedelics/entactogens (de Win et al, 2006;Carhart-Harris et al, 2014;Vizeli et al, 2022;Borissova et al, 2024;Heresco-Levy and Lerer, 2023;…”

What do we know about body dysmorphic disorder - Review of current knowledge

“…Although these findings are initial and further research is required, they suggest that electroconvulsive therapy may be useful in managing more severe cases [4,12]. Other studies have found a potential effect of psychedelics in the treatment of primary features in BDD, but more data about safety and efficiency is necessary [10]. Currently, there are studies involving the use of Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the management of major depressive disorder, psychosis and anxiety disorders [4].…”