A new study of people living with eating disorders has found that cannabis and psychedelics, such as ‘magic mushrooms’ or LSD, were best rated as alleviating symptoms by respondents who self-medicated with the non-prescribed drugs. The worst-rated drugs were alcohol, tobacco, nicotine and cocaine.

## Could Cannabis and Psychedelics Help with Eating Disorders? A New Study Says Maybe.

Okay, so I stumbled upon something really interesting the other day and had to share. It’s about a recent study looking at how people with eating disorders are using, and rating, different substances to manage their symptoms.

You know, it’s easy to think of things like alcohol or drugs as just making problems worse, right? But this study, published by the University of Sydney actually found something kinda surprising.

**The Study’s Surprising Findings**

Basically, the study looked at how folks with eating disorders rated different substances they’d used *without* a prescription. The researchers wanted to know what people found helpful, not necessarily what doctors were prescribing.

And guess what came out on top? Cannabis and psychedelics (think “magic mushrooms” or LSD). Yep, people actually rated them as *alleviating* their symptoms.

On the other hand, the substances that were rated as *least* helpful? Alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, and cocaine.

**Why This Matters**

Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, let me be super clear: This isn’t an endorsement for self-medicating. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, and professional help is crucial.

* **This study doesn’t mean you should start using cannabis or psychedelics to treat an eating disorder.** Please don’t.
* **Self-medicating can be dangerous** and can interact with medications or other health conditions.

But what *is* interesting is that people reported finding these substances helpful.

So, what does this mean? Well, a few things come to mind:

* **It opens up new avenues for research.** Maybe there are elements within cannabis or psychedelics that could be explored for potential therapeutic benefits.
* **It highlights the need for better understanding.** We need more research into how these substances affect mental health, both positively and negatively.
* **It shows people are looking for answers.** Many people struggle to find relief through traditional methods. This study highlights the urgent need for more effective treatments for eating disorders.

**The Bottom Line**

Ultimately, this study is a starting point. It’s a conversation starter. It suggests that there’s more to the story when it comes to substance use and mental health than we might initially think.

The most important thing is to remember that eating disorders are serious and require professional help. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a healthcare professional or a support organization. There is help available, and you don’t have to go through it alone.