That psilocybin mushrooms or truffles might be helpful for weight loss is an intriguing idea, that does actually have some basis behind it. While it is not necessarily true that weight is a direct indicator of health, for many people it remains, for better or worse, an important issue. But before anyone jumps the gun, it is vital to note that the research into this specific relationship is still very limited.
Psilocybin has thus far, been primarily studied for its psychological and therapeutic effects, such as its potential to help with depresión...ansiedad, TEPTy adicción. So, while research into weight-loss specifically may not yet be tangible, there are some indirect ways in which magic mushrooms might influence weight loss, particularly through their impact on behavior, mental health, and mindfulness.
In this article we will break down the potential mechanisms and findings that suggest psilocybin can aid weight loss, and how this could help you with your wellness goals for 2025. However, these potential mechanisms are based more upon behavioral and mental health outcomes rather than literal metabolic impact (Ozempic this is not!)
1. How Psilocybin Affects Mental Health: A Reduction of Emotional Eating and Stress
One of the most promising (indirect) pathways to weight loss that psilocybin might affect is emotional eating. Emotional eating refers to the tendency to eat in response to feelings such as stress, sadness, anxiety, or depression rather than true physical hunger. Basically, who among us has not eaten a whole tub of ice-cream when we’ve been feeling blue?
Psilocybin and Anxiety / Depression: Psilocybin has been shown to have antidepressant and anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, which could indirectly reduce the urge for emotional eating. By alleviating the psychological issues that contribute to overeating, individuals might experience less impulsive or emotional consumption of food.
Impact on Stress: Stress is a major contributor to cortisol production, which in turn can drive cravings for unhealthy foods, particularly those high in sugar and fat. Psilocybin has been shown to have potential for reducing stress and anxiety, which could help mitigate the stress-induced food cravings that often lead to weight gain.
Improved Emotional Regulation: Research suggests that psilocybin might help individuals access better emotional regulation and a clearer perspective on their behaviors. If a psilocybin experience, or microdosing routine, can help you to process your emotions more effectively, it could potentially lead to a reduction in mindless or stress-based eating.
Stimulates Serotonin: Psilocybin is known to stimulate our serotonin receptors. Serotonin and dopamine are the key neurotransmitters which influence food cravings and consumption. Serotonin suppresses appetite which is why if we have low levels (such as when we are feeling depressed) we are likely to be more hungry. This suggests that the boost of serotonin that psilocybin provides could reduce overeating.
2. Psilocybin Can Facilitate Mindful Eating and Increased Awareness
Psilocybin has been shown to enhance self-awareness and the ability to be-in-the-moment, which could translate to more mindful eating behaviors.
Mindfulness Eating: Mindful eating is a practice involves paying full attention to the experience of eating: the taste, texture, and sensations associated with food, as well as recognizing true physical hunger. Psilocybin is thought to increase awareness and present-moment focus, which help people to be more in touch with their eating habits and prevent overeating. For example, someone using psilocybin in a therapeutic or meditative context might become more attuned to feelings of satiety, recognizing when they are full, and making healthier food choices.
Body Awareness: Research has shown that psilocybin can increase body awareness, helping individuals reconnect with their physical body in a deeper way. This could be beneficial for those who might struggle with body image issues or disordered eating patterns, encouraging healthier habits and a more balanced relationship with food.
3. Psilocybin Could Reduce Food Addiction and Cravings
One of the most well-studied therapeutic uses of psilocybin is in the treatment of substance-use disorders, including addictions to alcohol, nicotiney other substances. This research suggests that psilocybin can help break addictive patterns by disrupting the brain’s habitual pathways, thus allowing individuals to adopt healthier habits. While there is little research specifically linking psilocybin to food addiction, the mechanisms at play in addiction treatment are likely to also be relevant to eating behaviors.
Addiction to Food or Sugar: Just as psilocybin has shown potential to help individuals break free from substance abuse, it might also play a role in helping people break free from food addiction or compulsive eating, especially when paired with psychotherapy or other behavioral interventions. There is in fact, a growing body of research that suggests that sugar could be as addictive as some ‘street drugs’.
Psilocybin and Cravings: There’s evidence that psychedelics like psilocybin can help reduce cravings, not just for drugs but potentially for foods. If individuals who struggle with cravings (such as for sugary or high-fat foods) can achieve a deeper level of self-awareness or spiritual insight through psilocybin, it might help them detach from the addictive nature of these cravings.
4. Psilocybin and Self-Esteem
Psilocybin has been found to significantly improve mood, reduce anxiety, and increase overall well-being. These effects could be indirectly beneficial for weight management:
Improved Self-Perception: Many people who struggle with obesity or weight management also experience low self-esteem or negative body image. Psilocybin, in controlled therapeutic settings, has been shown to boost self-acceptance and a positive sense of self, which could translate to healthier lifestyle choices, including adopting better eating and exercise habits.
Increased Motivation for Healthier Behaviors: By promoting a sense of well-being and a positive outlook on life, psilocybin might give individuals the motivation to take better care of their physical health, which could include adopting more consistent exercise routines, better nutrition, and ultimately, weight loss. Basically, when we’re feeling good, we’re more likely to want to get out and about.
Direct Effects on Appetite
Currently, there is no substantial research directly showing that psilocybin leads to weight loss through metabolic changes. Psilocybin is not known to directly suppress appetite in the way that some other substances do (e.g., stimulants or certain medications), although it does boost serotonin levels, which in turn can reduce appetite. However, here are numerous anecdotal reports from people who have taken psilocybin and experienced reduced appetite or a shift in their relationship with food.
Some individuals report long-term changes in their relationship to food, such as a reduction in overeating or unhealthy food choices, after a transformative psilocybin experience. This is likely due to the profound shifts in perspective and behavior that psilocybin can facilitate. Some people experience a spiritual makeover of sorts, inspired to make changes in all areas of their lives.
What the Research Says: Psilocybin and Weight Loss
At present, most of the research on psilocybin is focused on its effects on mental health rather than on weight loss. However, there is some indirect evidence to suggest that psilocybin could have an impact on behaviors that are relevant to weight loss, such as:
- Improved emotional regulation
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Boosted serotonin levels
- Enhanced mindfulness and body awareness
- Reduced cravings and addictive behaviors
There are currently no large-scale, peer-reviewed studies specifically examining psilocybin for weight loss or appetite suppression, but the therapeutic outcomes observed in studies related to addiction and mood disorders suggest potential pathways where psilocybin might help individuals make healthier decisions that could result in weight loss over time.
It’s important to keep in mind that weight loss involves a complex mix of psychological, behavioral, and physiological factors. Losing weight is not the be-all-end-all when it comes to health. Self-acceptance and an effort to look after and care for your body is essential whatever weight you are. Psilocybin alone is unlikely to result in significant weight loss, but it could play a supportive role in a broader strategy for improving mental health and well-being.