Breaking Through Trauma: How Psilocybin Therapy Helps Heal Hidden Memories in Eating Disorders

Eating disorders affect millions of people worldwide, with anorexia nervosa having the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition. Despite decades of research and treatment development, many individuals with eating disorders continue to struggle with traditional therapies, often cycling through multiple treatment attempts without achieving lasting recovery. Recent groundbreaking research suggests that hidden trauma may be a key factor in treatment resistance, and that psilocybin therapy offers a unique pathway to healing by helping patients safely access and process dissociated traumatic memories [1]. This innovative approach is opening new doors for individuals who have felt trapped by their eating disorder, offering hope where conventional treatments have fallen short.

The Hidden Link Between Trauma and Eating Disorders

The relationship between trauma and eating disorders is complex and often underestimated in traditional treatment approaches. Traumatic experiences, particularly those occurring during childhood or adolescence, can profoundly impact brain development and create lasting changes in how the nervous system responds to stress and threat [1]. When trauma is too overwhelming to process at the time it occurs, the mind may use dissociation as a protective mechanism, essentially "filing away" traumatic memories in parts of the brain that are not easily accessible to conscious awareness. This protective response, while adaptive in the short term, can create significant barriers to healing in the long term. Research has shown that individuals with eating disorders have elevated levels of brain serotonin, which makes the amygdala—the brain's fear center—more reactive to emotions and stress [1]. This heightened sensitivity to aversive experiences may contribute to the development of maladaptive coping strategies, including the restrictive eating patterns characteristic of anorexia nervosa. Traditional therapy approaches often struggle to address these deeply buried traumatic memories because they remain outside of conscious awareness, making it difficult for patients to process and integrate these experiences in a way that promotes healing.

Breakthrough Case Studies

A pioneering pilot study conducted at UC San Diego has provided compelling evidence for psilocybin's ability to help patients with anorexia nervosa access and process previously dissociated traumatic memories [1]. The study involved ten female adults who met diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa or partial remission, all of whom received a carefully supervised 25-mg dose of pharmaceutical-grade synthetic psilocybin (COMP360) along with comprehensive psychological support. Two participants in this study experienced something remarkable during their psilocybin sessions: the spontaneous emergence of previously forgotten memories of sexual assault that had been completely dissociated from their conscious awareness. These memories surfaced naturally during the psilocybin experience, allowing the patients to process these traumatic events in a safe, supported therapeutic environment. The treatment protocol included extensive preparation sessions before the psilocybin administration, continuous psychological support during the eight-hour dosing session, and multiple integration therapy sessions afterward to help patients make sense of their experiences and incorporate new insights into their recovery process. Both patients who recovered these dissociated memories showed remarkable improvements in their eating disorder symptoms, achieving full remission of their anorexia nervosa psychopathology at the three-month follow-up assessment, as measured by standardized eating disorder questionnaires and clinically meaningful weight gain.

How Psilocybin Unlocks Hidden Memories

The mechanism by which psilocybin facilitates the recovery of dissociated memories appears to be related to its effects on the brain's serotonin system and its ability to increase communication between different brain networks [1]. During a psilocybin experience, the usual barriers between different parts of the brain become more permeable, allowing information that has been stored in isolated neural networks to become accessible to conscious awareness. This process occurs within the safety of a therapeutic setting, where trained professionals can provide immediate support and guidance as difficult memories surface. The integration therapy sessions that follow are crucial for helping patients understand and process these recovered memories in a way that promotes healing rather than retraumatization.

Beyond Anorexia: Broader Applications

While the UC San Diego study focused specifically on anorexia nervosa, the implications of this research extend far beyond eating disorders. The ability of psilocybin to facilitate the recovery and processing of dissociated traumatic memories suggests potential applications for a wide range of trauma-related conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative disorders, and complex trauma presentations [1]. Individuals with substance use disorders who have underlying trauma histories may also benefit from this approach, as unresolved trauma is often a significant factor in addiction and relapse. The research pipeline for psilocybin therapy continues to expand, with ongoing studies investigating its effectiveness for various mental health conditions that may have trauma as an underlying component. Early results from studies examining psilocybin for PTSD, depression with trauma history, and other trauma-related conditions are showing promising outcomes, suggesting that this therapeutic approach may have broad applications for trauma healing.

What to Expect from Treatment

For individuals considering psilocybin therapy for eating disorders or trauma-related conditions, understanding the treatment process is essential for making informed decisions. The preparation phase typically involves several sessions with trained therapists who help patients develop coping strategies, set intentions for their experience, and create a sense of safety and trust [1]. During the psilocybin session itself, patients remain in a comfortable, controlled environment with continuous medical and psychological supervision, ensuring that any challenging experiences can be immediately addressed with appropriate support. The integration therapy process that follows is often considered the most crucial component of treatment, as it helps patients make meaning of their experience and develop practical strategies for applying new insights to their daily lives. The timeline for potential improvements can vary significantly, with some patients experiencing immediate shifts in their relationship with food and their bodies, while others may notice more gradual changes over weeks or months. It's important to maintain realistic expectations about outcomes, as while many patients experience significant improvements, the degree and duration of benefits can vary based on individual factors such as the severity of the eating disorder, the presence of other mental health conditions, and the individual's overall support system.

Is This Treatment Right for You?

Determining whether psilocybin therapy is appropriate requires careful screening and assessment by qualified healthcare providers who specialize in both eating disorders and psychedelic medicine. Certain medical and psychiatric conditions may make psilocybin therapy inadvisable, including personal or family history of psychotic disorders, certain cardiovascular conditions, and current use of specific medications [1]. The importance of trauma-informed care cannot be overstated, as the potential for recovering dissociated memories means that treatment providers must be specially trained in trauma therapy techniques and prepared to provide appropriate support if difficult memories emerge. Finding qualified treatment centers can be challenging, as psilocybin therapy for eating disorders is still in the research phase and not yet widely available outside of clinical trials. Insurance coverage for this type of treatment is currently limited, and costs can be substantial, making accessibility a significant consideration for many patients. When discussing this option with healthcare providers, important questions to ask include their experience with both eating disorders and psychedelic therapy, their approach to trauma-informed care, their safety protocols, and their plans for ongoing support throughout the treatment process.

Conclusion

The emergence of psilocybin therapy as a potential treatment for eating disorders represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of how trauma contributes to these complex conditions and how healing can occur. For individuals with treatment-resistant eating disorders, particularly those with underlying trauma histories, this research offers genuine hope for recovery through a completely different therapeutic approach. The ability to safely access and process dissociated traumatic memories in a supported therapeutic environment may be the key that unlocks healing for many people who have struggled with traditional treatment methods. However, the importance of professional guidance and specialized care cannot be emphasized enough, given the profound nature of these experiences and the potential for both healing and harm if not properly managed. As research in this field continues to advance, psilocybin therapy may become an increasingly important tool in the comprehensive treatment of eating disorders and trauma-related conditions, offering new pathways to recovery for those who need them most.

References

[1] Knatz Peck, S., Brewerton, T. D., Fisher, H., Trim, J., Shao, S., Modlin, N. L., Kim, J., Finn, D. M., & Kaye, W. H. (2025). Therapeutic emergence of dissociated traumatic memories during psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa. Journal of Eating Disorders, 13, 89. https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-025-01274-2