Could Psychedelics End Compulsive Eating? Oxford Scientists Think So

In a bold new twist on obesity treatment, researchers from the University of Oxford are proposing something unexpected: psychedelics. Yep, the same class of substances best known for inducing vivid, mind-altering experiences might one day help “rewire” the brain circuits involved in compulsive eating — or so a group of researchers suspect. 

Uusi arvostelu, julkaistu Journal of Eating Disorders, explores whether psychedelics could offer a novel way forward for people whose obesity is tied to addictive-like eating behaviors. That said, the researchers are clear: human trials in this area haven’t happened yet, and the current findings are mostly based on preclinical studies and research into addiction — not obesity specifically. However, if future studies support this hypothesis it could be a game changer…

What’s the Link Between Obesity and Addiction?

Obesity is a chronic health issue marked by excess fat accumulation, typically caused by more energy being consumed than burned. It’s a growing global problem, extensively covered by the media. 

But here’s where things get interesting. For some individuals, obesity may go beyond medical conditions, or even diet and exercise — there might be a deeper, behavioral aspect to it. It seems that some people eat compulsively, responding to food cues in a way that is very similar to how people with substance use disorders react to drugs. This does not apply to everyone, though — genetics, environment, and metabolism still play big roles.

In these compulsive cases, researchers have found signs that the brain’s reward systems are altered, making certain foods incredibly hard to resist. This can lead to habitual overeating, and unfortunately, it also makes it more difficult for people to adopt healthier habits. The idea is that by identifying people who score high on tools like the Yale Food Addiction Scale, treatments could be better tailored to fit their needs.

How Psychedelics Might Help

Psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin (the active compound in “magic mushrooms”), ja ayahuasca are known for their powerful effects on the mind. They primarily act on serotonin 2A receptors but also interact with other receptors involved in mood, reward, and brain growth. These effects could help people struggling with compulsive behaviors, including overeating.

Osoitteessa studies involving alcohol-use disorder, psychedelics have been shown to boost the impact of cognitive behavioral therapy, helping people make longer-lasting changes. In animal models and some early studies, psychedelics seem to improve what scientists call “cognitive flexibility”— essentially, the brain’s ability to shift gears and adopt new ways of thinking. This could be key for treating compulsive eating.

What’s Going on in the Brain?

One theory, called the “REBUS” model (short for Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics), suggests that these substances allow the brain to temporarily loosen its grip on rigid patterns — for example, the link between seeing a cookie and needing to eat it. This opens a window for therapy to offer new insights or help reshape behaviors.

It’s believed that psychedelics can increase activity in deep-brain neurons called pyramidal cells, which are involved in forming expectations based on past experiences. Changing how these neurons behave might help break the automatic reward-seeking loop tied to certain foods.

Interestingly, studies have also shown that even small doses of LSD (known as microdosing) can improve how people process rewards and reduce addictive tendencies. This is thought to be due to psychedelics’ influence on the brain’s classic reward system — the mesolimbic pathway.

By promoting neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to change, psychedelics might help people alter how they relate to food and form new, healthier habits.

Beyond the Brain: Epigenetics and the Gut-Brain Connection

The benefits of psychedelics might go even deeper — right down to our genes. These substances can trigger changes in gene expression related to how we process energy, handle stress, and manage cravings. For example, psychedelics have been shown to increase markers of brain growth and synaptic plasticity by altering DNA methylation and histone acetylation (two key mechanisms of epigenetic change).

They may also help reverse certain changes that make the brain’s reward and self-control systems less adaptable — essentially giving people a better shot at long-term change.

Then there’s the gut-brain axis, which plays a huge role in obesity. Many people with obesity have imbalanced gut bacteria (a condition called dysbiosis), which can lead to inflammation and disrupt brain regions that regulate hunger and satiety.

Mielenkiintoista, psychedelics may help here too. They’ve been shown to quiet down the default mode network in the brain (DMN) — a hub linked to repetitive thought patterns — and act as non-competitive inhibitors of IDO, a key enzyme in the tryptophan pathway. This might help reduce inflammation, restore gut health, and support better metabolic functioning.

So, What’s the Catch?

While all of this sounds promising, there are important caveats. Psychedelic therapy isn’t risk-free. In rare cases it can raise blood pressure, cause anxiety in vulnerable individuals, and lead to challenging psychological experiences. And crucially, no clinical trials have yet tested these treatments specifically for obesity.

The researchers stress that more work is needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of psychedelics in this context. But they’re hopeful that with proper screening, guidance, and integration into existing treatments like lifestyle coaching, psychedelics could offer a meaningful new option for those who haven’t found success with traditional approaches.

As one of the most complex conditions we face, obesity may require equally complex solutions — and psychedelics might just play a part in that future.