Psychedelics & Eating Disorders: Behind the Science

Eating disorders remain among the most challenging mental health conditions to treat, disproportionately affecting women and carrying some of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness. In recent years, psychedelics have gained attention as potential tools to support treatment, offering promise in reshaping rigid thought patterns, enhancing psychological flexibility, and deepening therapeutic engagement. Yet, the science is still in its early stages, and careful discussion is needed to understand both the potential and the limitations of these approaches—especially within the context of women’s health.

Join us for an online webinar hosted by Hystelica, “Psychedelics & Eating Disorders: Behind the Science”, where we will explore the latest research and open up an informed conversation about this emerging field.

Presentation & Host

Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley
Grace is the founder of Hystelica, established to address the lack of female-specific medical research and to provide reliable, reproducible knowledge about psychedelic use across clinical, recreational, and naturalistic settings. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from King’s College London, where she focused on cannabis research. Grace will open the event with a presentation on the current science surrounding psychedelics and eating disorders, setting the stage for a dynamic panel discussion.

Panelists

Dr. Elena Koning
Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Psychiatry at Dalhousie University. Elena’s research explores the clinical utility of psilocybin to enhance cognitive-behavioral therapy for eating disorders. She is also the host of The Integration Session, a podcast bridging psychedelic science and accessible knowledge.

Anya Ragnhildstveit
Research Scientist and PhD Candidate at the University of Cambridge, where she develops and tests novel interventions for young people with eating disorders. Anya is also an active member of the Cambridge Psychedelic Research Group, contributing to clinical trials and real-world studies on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in severe mental illness.

Event Format

Opening Presentation by Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley

Panel Discussion featuring Dr. Elena Koning, Anya Ragnhildstveit, and Martha Allitt

Community Discussion & Live Q&A

This event provides an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research, hear from leading experts in the field, and engage in open conversation about the future of psychedelics and eating disorder treatment.

⚠️ Please note: This is an educational event. No medical or clinical advice can be given during this session.