What are psychedelics and what do they do?
Psychedelics are a group of psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perception, mood, and patterns of thinking. Unlike substances that simply stimulate or sedate, psychedelics can expand awareness and shift how the brain processes information. They act mainly on the serotonin system (especially the 5-HT2A receptor), which influences sensory perception, sense of self, and emotional processing.
Examples include:
- Psilocybin (found in “magic mushrooms”)
- LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
- Mescaline (from peyote and San Pedro cacti)
- Ayahuasca (a plant-based brew containing DMT)
- MDMA (often categorized as an entactogen but widely studied alongside psychedelics)
- Ketamine (a dissociative anesthetic that is not a “classic” psychedelic, but is legally available in medical settings and used for depression, suicidality, and emerging eating disorder research)
In therapeutic contexts, these medicines may help people soften rigid thought patterns, increase emotional openness, and process trauma, depression, anxiety, and other deeply rooted conditions.
What is the intersection between psychedelics, eating disorders, and psychiatric conditions?
Eating disorders are often tied to trauma, rigid thought loops, and disconnection from the body. Psychedelics show promise in interrupting these patterns, opening pathways to deeper self-awareness, and helping individuals reconnect to their bodies in more compassionate ways. They also overlap with psychiatric research on depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD—conditions that commonly co-occur with eating disorders.
Why should eating disorder dietitians be familiar with psychedelics?
As psychedelic-assisted therapy research grows, clients may bring questions or personal experiences into session. Dietitians who understand the basics of psychedelics can respond ethically, provide informed support, and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary care teams. They can also play a direct role in integration coaching—helping clients make sense of their experiences, connect insights back to eating and body image work, and apply changes in sustainable, nourishing ways. Familiarity ensures dietitians stay current in an evolving field of mental health treatment.
How did you discover psychedelics and what made you decide to explore this topic further?
My interest began through both personal healing experiences and exposure to emerging research. I witnessed how psychedelics could open new pathways for insight and healing that traditional methods often couldn’t reach. This led me to pursue formal training at CIIS (California Institute of Integral Studies) in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Research to thoughtfully integrate this knowledge with my work in eating disorder care.
Is there evidence supporting the use of psychedelics in eating disorder treatment?
Yes—there are several studies. Pilot studies and clinical trials (for example, psilocybin therapy for anorexia nervosa and ketamine for binge eating and treatment-resistant depression) are showing promising results. While more large-scale research is needed, the growing body of evidence suggests psychedelics could become a valuable adjunct to traditional treatment.
Is the use of psychedelics appropriate for everyone?
No, psychedelics are not safe or appropriate for everyone. They should not be used in people with a personal or family history of psychosis, certain heart conditions, or without proper medical screening. When they are used, integration support is essential—and dietitians can be part of that process, helping clients translate insights into daily practices around embodiment, interoceptive awareness practices (intuitive eating), self-talk (CBT) and other forms of self-care such as meditation, mindfulness to name a few.
Do you see the use of psychedelics evolving to becoming a major part of ED treatment in the future?
Absolutely, yes. While still emerging, psychedelic-assisted therapy has the potential to become a significant part of eating disorder treatment—especially when integrated with therapy, nutrition support, and trauma-informed care. Dietitians may increasingly take part not only in nutritional rehabilitation, but also in integration coaching, bridging the gap between insights gained in psychedelic sessions and real-life eating, body image, and self-trust practices.
Where can one learn more about psychedelics?
Trusted sources include:
- MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) – a nonprofit leading research on MDMA-assisted therapy and policy reform.
- CIIS (California Institute of Integral Studies) Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies & Research program – one of the first accredited training programs for professionals.
- Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research – pioneering clinical research, including psilocybin trials for depression and anorexia.
- UC Berkeley — Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) – conducting neuroscience and psychology research on psychedelics, training facilitators, and offering public education.
- Psychedelic Science conferences – international gatherings of researchers, clinicians, and practitioners.
Peer-reviewed journals like Frontiers in Psychiatry and Journal of Psychedelic Studies.
