Story perspectives

Psilocybin Trial Shows Remission in Half Anorexia Patients

8/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Robin Carhart-Harris and Jennifer Danby ran a pilot psilocybin trial for anorexia nervosa.
The trial gave 21 women with an 11-year illness a 1-mg dose then two 25-mg doses two weeks apart, without nutritional changes, reporting that after three months half achieved remission scores like non-diagnosed peers.
The study noted one withdrawal, two unrelated suicide attempts, and expert calls—including Carhart-Harris’s praise of remission—for controlled trials, with one-year follow-ups confirming benefits.

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Story summary

Robin Carhart-Harris and Jennifer Danby ran a pilot psilocybin trial for anorexia nervosa.
The trial gave 21 women with an 11-year illness a 1-mg dose then two 25-mg doses two weeks apart, without nutritional changes, reporting that after three months half achieved remission scores like non-diagnosed peers.
The study noted one withdrawal, two unrelated suicide attempts, and expert calls—including Carhart-Harris’s praise of remission—for controlled trials, with one-year follow-ups confirming benefits.