Open AccessPerspectives on psychedelic treatment and research in eating disorders: a web-based questionnaire study of people with eating disorders
Author(s) -
Fiona Harding,
Mathieu Seynaeve,
Johanna Louise Keeler,
Hubertus Himmerich,
Janet Treasure,
Carol Kan
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of integrative neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.336
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1757-448X
pISSN - 0219-6352
DOI - 10.31083/j.jin2003059
Subject(s) - eating disorders , context (archaeology) , psychology , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , psychiatry , biology , paleontology
Approximately 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from an eating disorder, yet the treatment options show limited efficacy, warranting the need for novel approaches. This study aimed to investigate the perspectives of people with eating disorders on the use of complementary therapies and psychedelic research and treatment. Two hundred participants with eating disorders took part in this web survey study. The majority of participants (70%) had used a complementary treatment to manage their eating disorder. Participants believed that psychedelic research was worthwhile in the context of a moderate level of concern. The most popular solutions to meet these concerns included providing education around psychedelics and their effects and use in psychiatry and experiencing endorsement from professionals in the area. Moreover, participant responses emphasized the need for a safe, monitored environment and the patient-therapist rapport in the context of psychedelic treatment. The findings are explored concerning future trials of psychedelics as a treatment for eating disorders.