Psychedelics hold growing promise for people struggling with eating disorders – conditions that affect around 9% of the global population according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders .
Eating disorders primarily affect women, and more and more of them are starting to speak openly about how psychedelic experiences helped them step out of a constant cycle of dissatisfaction, body dysmorphia and the anxiety, depression and chronic stress that often go with it. Many women describe that, under professional guidance, psychedelics allowed them to build a new relationship with their eating disorder and slowly soften the way they see and speak to their own bodies.
Although large, well-controlled clinical trials are still relatively scarce, anecdotal evidence of these changes is strong and increasingly discussed in therapeutic communities. At the same time, specialists stress that psychedelics are not a “magic cure” – they can be one element of a broader healing process that also includes psychotherapy, medical support and long-term lifestyle changes.
For many women, talking honestly about their insecurities and body image is still treated as a taboo, a sign of weakness or a source of shame. Creating safe, supportive spaces where these topics can be named out loud is often the first step towards change. In such spaces, some women combine talk therapy with embodied practices – yoga, breathwork, conscious dance – and, in certain legal and clinical contexts, with psychedelic-assisted sessions. This mind–body approach can open a different gateway to healing and help gently dissolve stigma around eating disorders.
photo: Freepik
Understanding negative body image
To better understand how psychedelics might help, we first need to understand what body image actually is. For most women it is not as simple as “liking” or “disliking” their own bodies. Body image is complex and dynamic: it includes our feelings, beliefs and automatic thoughts about how our body looks to us and to others, what we think it is “allowed” to do, how we judge its size and shape, and how much space we feel we are allowed to take up in the world.
Problems with body image can begin alarmingly early – research suggests even around the age of five. Puberty and the rapid changes in our figure can further deepen dissatisfaction and self-criticism. Culture also has a huge impact on how we see ourselves. Social norms around gender, skin tone, hair texture, disability, age or weight constantly send signals about what is considered “acceptable”. Over time these messages can be internalised and turn into harsh self-judgements that feed eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder.
Potential of psychedelics in building a more positive body image
Eating disorders are notoriously difficult to treat compared to many other mental health conditions. Standard, evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), family-based therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) or nutritional and medical support help many people – but not all. CBT, for example, is associated with remission in roughly 45% of patients, with relapse rates of about 30% within a year, and therapy can be hard to stick with when someone is very undernourished, ashamed or ambivalent about recovery.
Because of this, some clinicians and researchers are exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy as a potential additional tool. The idea is not to replace classic treatment, but to support it in situations where people are “stuck”, disconnected from their bodies or overwhelmed by rigid patterns of thinking. Below we briefly outline four substances that are currently being studied in relation to eating disorders.
Research to date
Ketamine, ayahuasca, MDMA and psilocybin are the four psychedelics that feature in much of the recent research on possible treatments for eating disorders and related issues. Each of them acts differently and all should only be used, if at all, in controlled, legal and clinical settings.
Ketamine
Ketamine is a so-called non-classical psychedelic (or dissociative anaesthetic) that can alter consciousness for a relatively short time. The antidepressant properties of this synthetic compound have been studied in major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In the context of eating disorders, ketamine-assisted therapy may temporarily reduce intense suicidal thoughts, loosen rigid cognitive patterns and give patients a brief “window of opportunity” to engage more fully with psychotherapy. Research in this specific area is still in its early stages.
Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca is a fermented herbal brew that contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT), one of the most powerful psychedelic compounds known, traditionally used in shamanic and religious ceremonies. The preparation has been a sacred ritual medicine for various Indigenous tribes of South America for at least a thousand years. Participants often describe mystical, transcendent visions, encounters with symbolic figures and intense self-insight.
Experiences with ayahuasca can sometimes lead to deep self-reflection and heightened awareness of behavioural patterns. Some studies and observational reports suggest that the brew might support work with anxiety, addiction, depression and possibly eating disorders by changing the way people perceive their bodies and their stories. At the same time, it is important to remember that ayahuasca is not risk-free, can interact dangerously with many medications and heart conditions, and its use outside of medical research is often illegal.
MDMA
MDMA is a synthetic substance best known from club culture, but in a therapeutic context it is used in much lower, controlled doses. Pharmacologically, MDMA increases serotonin levels and also boosts oxytocin, dopamine and other chemical messengers. This combination can temporarily increase feelings of empathy, trust, openness and self-compassion. Many patients report that MDMA helps them talk about traumatic experiences without becoming overwhelmed by fear or shame.
Because of these properties, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been intensively researched for PTSD. Some teams are now exploring whether similar approaches could support people with eating disorders – for example, by making it easier to process trauma, break isolation and soften harsh inner criticism. These projects are still experimental and require careful screening and medical supervision.
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic produced by more than 100 different species of fungi around the world, including those grown from Growkit Golden Teacher . In clinical research, psilocybin is often noted as having one of the most favourable safety profiles among classic psychedelics when used in carefully controlled conditions.
Psilocybin acts primarily on serotonin receptors in the brain and can temporarily disrupt rigid networks of thinking. In the context of eating disorders, it may help move the focus away from purely symptom-based treatment (“how many calories did I eat?”) towards deeper work on self-worth, identity and self-compassion. Some early pilot studies suggest that psilocybin-assisted therapy may reduce obsessive thoughts about food and body size and increase the ability to feel kindness towards oneself – but much more data is needed before this approach becomes standard care.
Reclaiming ownership of your body with psychedelics
When used responsibly in therapeutic settings, psychedelics can help some women see their eating disorder as a coping mechanism rather than an essential part of who they are. This shift – “this behaviour helped me survive, but it is not my identity” – can be a powerful turning point. From that place, it becomes easier to gradually replace destructive habits with new, more nourishing and respectful patterns.
Psychedelic experiences may also loosen rigid internal narratives – the constant loop of lies and self-limiting beliefs about our bodies (“I am never enough”, “I am only valuable if I am thin”). With the right integration work, people can start rewriting these stories, reclaiming a sense of agency and reconnecting with their bodies from a place of curiosity instead of hatred.
It is crucial, however, to remember that the experience itself is only the beginning. Sustainable change usually comes with time, effort and consistency. Integration sessions, supportive relationships, nutritional rehabilitation, somatic practices and other therapeutic modalities are essential to translate a single journey into everyday choices. Especially when we are trying to de-escalate behaviours that have felt “normal” or “safe” for many years, patience and long-term support are key.
We do not encourage the cultivation or consumption of psychoactive substances. This text is educational and expresses the private opinion of the author. Any decisions about treatment options – including participation in clinical research on psychedelics – should always be made together with qualified medical and psychological professionals.
The content on the psychodelicroom.pl website is educational, research-based, and expresses many opinions that should be treated with caution. We advise against using any substances that affect consciousness, as all of these substances can both heal and be very harmful. In particular, we advise against cultivating mushrooms from growkits in countries where it is illegal – including Poland – because it involves criminal liability. We recommend that you dispose of the growkits purchased from us within 72 hours of receiving them.
Sources
https://anad.org/eating-disorders-statistics/
https://psychedelicstoday.com/2022/02/24/reclaiming-ownership-of-your-body-with-psychedelics/
https://www.womenonpsychedelics.org/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8156539/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30474794/
https://entheonation.com/blog/ayahuasca-eating-disorders/
Log in with Facebook
Log in with Google