Study of Psilocybin for Anorexia in Young Adults (SPANYA)

This interventional trial (n=40) will assess psilocybin therapy for refractory Anorexia Nervosa (anorexia, AN) in young adults.

The trial, sponsored by Marissa Raymond-Flesch, MD, MPH, and conducted at the University of California, San Francisco, will include three preparatory sessions, a 20mg psilocybin dosing session, two integration sessions, a 30mg psilocybin dosing session, and four final integration sessions.

Researchers hypothesise that psilocybin will increase cognitive flexibility, predicting long-term changes in cognitive rigidity, habitual eating, and exercise behaviours. Two family members of each participant will also be enrolled, with one attending portions of preparatory and integration sessions.

The primary outcome will be measured using the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) questionnaire at various intervals up to one year post-treatment.

The study aims to provide insights into the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy in treating Anorexia Nervosa.

Topic Eating Disorders
Compound Psilocybin
Country United States of America
Visit trial
Status Not yet recruiting
Results Published No
Start date 01 June 2024
End date 30 June 2029
Phase Phase II
Design Open
Type Interventional
Generation First
Participants 40
Sex All
Age 18- 25
Therapy Yes

Trial Details

This is a single site trial of psilocybin therapy for the treatment of refractory Anorexia Nervosa in young adults. The psilocybin therapy will include three preparatory sessions, psilocybin dosing session one (20mg), two integration sessions, psilocybin dosing session two (30mg), and four final integration sessions. Eating disorder symptoms will be measured pre and post treatment. Two family members of each young adult participant will be enrolled in the study. One of which will be required to attend a portion of two preparatory sessions and a portion of two integration sessions and receive psychoeducation about supporting the young adult participant through preparation and integration for psilocybin therapy. Investigators hypothesize that psilocybin will increase cognitive flexibility and that this increase will predict long-term changes in cognitive rigidity, habitual eating, and exercise behaviors in patients with Anorexia Nervosa.

NCT Number NCT06399263

Sponsors & Collaborators

University of California San Francisco
At UCSF, there are two research teams dedicated to the study of psychedelics; the Neuroscape Psychedelic Division and the Translational Psychedelic Research Program.

Data attribution

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