"But the reality is it's happening": A qualitative study of eating disorder providers about psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy

Abstract

Objective: This study invited providers who care for patients with eating disorders to inform engagement, communication, and collaboration with psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy interventions.

Method: Medical and mental health providers who treat patients with eating disorders were recruited via professional referral networks and participant driven sampling from across California to participate in one of five focus groups. Discussion topics included prior knowledge of psychedelic therapy, interest/concerns related to psilocybin therapy, and opportunities for collaboration. Study team members completed iterative rounds of coding with a grounded theory approach.

Results: A total of 32 participants reported a range of familiarity with psychedelics. Some raised concerns about the risks of administering psilocybin to malnourished patients and to those with psychological comorbidities. Despite these concerns, participants were hopeful to see psilocybin therapy as a treatment for patients with eating disorders. In anticipating challenges, providers had concerns about equity in access to care among publicly insured and non-English speaking patients. They requested opportunities for continuing education about psilocybin therapy.

Discussion: Our findings demonstrate provider interest in psilocybin therapy for the treatment of patients with eating disorders. As psilocybin therapy interventions are developed, providers caring for patients with eating disorders value collaboration to improve longitudinal patient outcomes.

Public significance: This study invited healthcare providers of patients with eating disorders to discuss their thoughts around the use of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in this population. Findings will help inform emerging psilocybin therapy clinical trials with the goal of successful translation and adoption in real world clinical settings.

Keywords: anorexia nervosa; eating disorders; psilocybin; psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.