This open-label pilot study seeks to investigate the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in persons with chronic anorexia nervosa (AN). Psilocybin has previously been demonstrated to decrease depression and anxiety and increase long-term positive behavior change in other populations. The investigators seek to determine whether similar changes can be safely produced in people with AN when psilocybin is administered in a supportive setting with close follow-up. The investigators' primary hypotheses are that psilocybin is safe to administer in people with AN, that it will reduce measures of anxiety and depression, and that it will lead to increased quality of life. The investigators will also assess a number of exploratory measures related to eating disorder pathophysiology.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
22
Participants will undergo up to four moderate to high dose psilocybin sessions. Dosing at the first session will be 20 mg. For subsequent sessions participants will either remain at their previous dose, or increase by increments of 5 mg up to a maximum of 30 mg.
Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Score
The HADS is a 14-item self-report questionnaire that assesses both anxiety (7 questions) and depression (7 questions). Each question is scored on a 4-point Likert scale from 0-3, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 1 week post final psilocybin session
Change in health related quality of life as assessed by the Eating Disorder Quality of Life Scale (EDQLS)
This is a 40-item self-report measure of health related quality of life that is specifically developed for eating disorder populations. Each question is rated on a 5 point scale from 1-5, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Time frame: 2 months post final psilocybin session
Change in Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) score
This is a 28-item self-report score that measures severity of eating disorder symptoms across four domains that each make up a sub-scale: dietary restraint, eating concern, weight concern, and shape concern. A global score is calculated by averaging sub-scale scores. Sub-scale and global scores range from 0-6 with higher scores indicating higher severity.
Time frame: 1 month post final psilocybin session
Change in Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) score
This is clinician-administered interview that measures severity of eating disorder symptoms across four domains that each make up a sub-scale: dietary restraint, eating concern, weight concern, and shape concern. A global score is calculated by averaging sub-scale scores.
Time frame: 1 month post final psilocybin session
Change in Body mass index (BMI)
This is a measure of body mass calculated from height and weight (Kg/m\^2).
Time frame: 3 months post final psilocybin session
Change in Anorexia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (ANSOCQ) score
The ANSOCQ is a 20-item self-administered questionnaire that places respondents in one of the five stages of change based on Prochaska and DiClemente's model. The maximum raw score is 100, with higher scores indicating higher levels of motivation. An overall classification of the stage of change is obtained by dividing the raw score by 5.
Time frame: 1 month post final psilocybin session
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