A study conducted by Shortwave Life Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in mental health, is evaluating the effectiveness of psilocybin in treating anorexia. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic substance found in certain mushrooms. It has been gaining attention as a potential alternative in mental health. Currently, the study is examining its effects in cases of anorexia.
The purpose of the study is to demonstrate that this psychedelic can be administered safely and is well-tolerated by patients. The goal is to integrate it effectively into clinical practice. The company presented its findings in early December in London at the Psych Symposium 2025, which The Clinic of Change attended.
In a panel discussion titled “Designing Breakthroughs: A New Human Study for Anorexia Treatment,” led by Shortwave Life Sciences’ chief clinical advisor, Dr. Nadya Lisovoder, the company presented the latest findings from that study.
The complexity of the disease
In an interview with the British platform Psychedelic Health, Lisovoder stated that this is the psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate. Its complexity stems from the fact that it is a “multifactorial condition that simultaneously involves emotional, cognitive, and physiological mechanisms.” As a result, there has been little therapeutic innovation in this area.
The company therefore set out to develop an integrated approach. “Our approach seeks to simultaneously engage multiple relevant receptor systems and neural pathways, addressing the mental and emotional dimensions of anorexia in a more comprehensive way,” the researcher said.
How does psilocybin work?
Like ketamine, psilocybin promotes neuroplasticity. This allows the brain to form new associations and break out of rigid patterns of thought. In disorders where people become trapped in narrow patterns of thought or behavior—as is the case with anorexia—this state may represent a significant therapeutic opportunity.
“Even a modest change in these underlying circuits can support change when combined with the appropriate clinical setting,” Lisovoder added. To that end, the company is developing a psilocybin-based oral film—a noninvasive and easy-to-administer format. The active ingredients are absorbed through the oral mucosa and enter the bloodstream directly.
The main objective is to confirm that clinicians can safely administer the treatment, with psychiatric and nutritional follow-up.
Learn more about psychedelic-assisted treatments HERE.
