Food disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are also frequent in young people and can cause serious and potentially fatal complications, the psychedelic are increasingly recognized in the treatment of this pathology, let's take stock of new research.
A fairly encouraging Californian study published in "Nature" shows the great efficiency, for four out of ten patients, of a psilocybin intake, associated with psychological support:
This little study Phase 1 of 10 women suffering from anorexia has shown that the administration of a single dose of 25 mg of psilocybin, combined with psychological support, was safe and well tolerated.
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9 of the 10 patients have improved their symptoms, with a anxiety reduction linked to weight, appearance and food.
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4 of them were even in Complete remission 3 months After treatment, no longer presenting any key symptoms of anorexia.
- Some patients experienced a change radical of perception During the session, like a patient who could see her thinness in the mirror for the first time, when she always saw herself too big before.
- There psilocybin seems to allow a "disconnection"of the organization mental rigid of anorexia, opening the way to greater cognitive flexibility.
Although promising, this small preliminary study requires additional research. Nevertheless, it underlines the potential of psychedelics such as psilocybin to treat anorexia, a disorder resistant to current treatments
What is mental anorexia?
Mental anorexia is a severe food disorder which is characterized by a restriction excessive food, a fear excessive to gain weight and a Body image disturbance. People with mental anorexia generally have a body weight significantly below normal for their age and size, and they may have obsessive ideas On food, weight and physical appearance.
People with mental anorexia can also have compensatory behavior such as self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, excess sport, and fasting to avoid gaining weight. Mental anorexia is more frequent in women and young girls, but it can also occur in men and boys.
Mental anorexia is a complex disease which has physical consequences and serious psychological. She can cause health problems such as weight loss, anemia, menstrual disorders, osteoporosis, fatigue, and heart problems. She can also cause psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and self -image disorders.
What treatment for mental anorexia?
Although there are drugs approved by ANSM for nervous bulimia and bulimic hyperphagia, there is nothing for mental anorexia and disorder has one of the highest mortality rates of all diseases psychiatrics among young girls.
However, there are several treatment options for mental anorexia, which may include:
- Psychotherapy: the Cognitive-behavioral therapy (TCC) is considered to be the first -line processing approach for mental anorexia. TCC aims to help people with anorexia to identify and change the negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their food disorder.
- Family therapy: mental anorexia often has a significant impact on family members, and it may be useful to work with a family therapist To help improve family relationships and dynamics.
- Medication: there is no specific medication for treating mental anorexia, but drugs can be used to treat associated symptoms, such as anxiety and depression.
- Hospitalization: People with serious mental anorexia may need hospitalization to stabilize their physical health and to receive intensive care for their food disorder.
It is important to note that the treatment of mental anorexia can be a Long and difficult process, and it is important to consult a qualified mental health professional to obtain an appropriate treatment for this disease.
The role of psilocybin in the treatment of anorexia?
A clinical trial at the University of Arizona examining the effects of Psilocybin mushrooms, or "magic fungi", on patients with Toc. The study is part of a booming mental health research field which has so far focused mainly on disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression; Now, more and more researchers are seeing a new potential to also help patients with diet.
"I arrived in a place of peace with that," says Schendel (a patient) about her relationship with food and her body.
Studies on the use of psilocybin in the treatment of anorexia
September 2020, the scientific journal Eating and weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity published the First quantitative analysis Psychological effects of psychedelics in people with eating disorders. Data "demonstrate solid evidence of improvement in depression and well-being measures following psychedelic experience"wrote the researchers.
There is no unique cause for food disorders and disease profiles vary considerably, but certain characteristics are common and help explain the resistance of diseases to treatments.
Food disorders have a important genetic basis which is closely linked to factors such as life experiences, personality characteristics and socio -cultural influences.
Consequently, researchers suggest that a complete recovery may require not only a change in diet or exercise, but also how patients think.
THE psychedelic drugs are known to calm the activity in the brain default network, a group of interconnected structures involved in various cognitive processes linked to introspection and introspection. In patients with diet, this network often maintains a negative self -image and encourages the repetition of unsuitable behavior related to power supply and control.
"The disorder invades neural systems in a pathological way"Explains a researcher."No drugs that we have currently can break these links. Psychedelics seem to be able to facilitate this."
An experience psychedelic Who disturbed THE connections neural Who dictate the thought patterns can be a powerful break for people who are, for example, stuck in a diagram obsessed with the appearance of their body.
In addition, psychedelic experiences improve often the feeling of connection body-spirit, thus helping patients to return to physiological signals, such as hunger signals, explains Ben Greenberg, American clinical psychologist.
But the impact of mushrooms does not stop during the trip itself. Of the effects sustainable Can manifest themselves in the following weeks and months when users explore what happened during the psychedelic experience.
Megg Spriggs, scientist at the Center for Psychedelic Research Imperial College of London, call it the post-Aiguë phase: "After a psychedelic exposure, the brain is more malleable and plastic" And perhaps capable of generating new neural connections and new thinking patterns.
A fairly encouraging Californian study published in "Nature" shows the great efficiency, for four out of ten patients, of a psilocybin intake, associated with psychological support:
This little study Phase 1 of 10 women suffering from anorexia has shown that the administration of a single dose of 25 mg of psilocybin, combined with psychological support, was safe and well tolerated.
-
9 of the 10 patients have improved their symptoms, with a anxiety reduction linked to weight, appearance and food.
-
4 of them were even in Complete remission 3 months After treatment, no longer presenting any key symptoms of anorexia.
- Some patients experienced a change radical of perception During the session, like a patient who could see her thinness in the mirror for the first time, when she always saw herself too big before.
- There psilocybin seems to allow a "disconnection"of the organization mental rigid of anorexia, opening the way to greater cognitive flexibility.
Although promising, this small preliminary study requires additional research. Nevertheless, it underlines the potential of psychedelics such as psilocybin to treat anorexia, a disorder resistant to current treatments
The importance of set & setting
In psychedelic medicine, "the set and setting" the first referring to themindset and the second to theenvironment - are essential To provide a safe context for a productive trip. Under the right conditions, brain plasticity can allow a positive effect.
The rituals, combined with the peaceful natural environment and the community framework, help participants open their minds to the newness and the wonder of the experience and to surrender to the achievements that can emerge.
Truffle microdosage with psyl ocoar
The microdosage of psychedelics consists in taking very low doses Of these substances, generally lower than those used for "trip" experiences, in order to improve cognitive and emotional performance. The most commonly used substances for microdosage are LSD and psilocybin, although other psychedelics such as mescaline and ibogaine have also been used.
Microdosage has been described as having beneficial effects such as improving creativity, concentration, energy and productivity, as well as reduction in disorders symptoms such as depression, anxiety and SSPT. However, it is important to note that research on microdosage is still very limited and that there is no conclusive scientific evidence of its effects.
As explained Greenberg, psychedelic treatment does not erase the impact of trauma, and "try to maintain the illusion that"I'm completely finished with that"can be a dangerous territory".," He adds.
While psychedelics appear to be one of the most promising interventions for people struggling with eating disorders and poor body image,
Kaplan of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health warns that it is too early to rejoice. But he remains hopeful. “Based on the neurobiology of anorexia and how we know psychedelics work, it seems reasonable to believe it could work.”
As pointed out Downey, there psilocybin acts on the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A, who is “thought to be highly variable or mutated in anorexia nervosa”.
Conclusion :
Given the insufficient treatment available for patients with anorexia nervosa and the high mortality rate of this illness, there is nothing to lose.
It is important to consult a mental health professional to get appropriate treatment for this illness.
Sources:
https://www.thecut.com/2023/01/magic-mushrooms-eating-disorder-treatment.html
It is important to note that most psychedelics are illegal or restricted substances, and their use should be done with caution and under qualified medical supervision. It is important not to undertake microdosing without the advice of a healthcare professional and to respect the laws in force in your country. It is also important to remember that the effects can vary from person to person and it is important to be vigilant about your own reactions.
