Can ayahuasca-assisted therapy help people cope with prolonged grief after losing a loved one? 

A recent study has shown that ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy can significantly help individuals struggling with prolonged grief disorder. This article will examine the study's findings, how ayahuasca facilitates the grieving process, and the potential of this therapy for those experiencing profound loss. 

Healing from Loss: Can Ayahuasca Help with Prolonged Grief?

The experience of grief is a universal human experience, a natural response to the pain of losing someone we love. For most, the sharp edges of grief soften over time, but for some, the pain persists, evolving into a condition known as prolonged grief disorder (PGD). PGD is characterized by intense and persistent yearning for the deceased, emotional numbness, and a sense of meaninglessness that can make it feel impossible to move forward. In the search for more effective ways to support those with PGD, researchers are turning to a surprising source: ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian psychedelic brew. A groundbreaking new study suggests that ayahuasca-assisted therapy may offer a powerful new path to healing for those who are struggling to find their way through the darkness of prolonged grief.

A New Approach: Ayahuasca-Assisted Meaning Reconstruction Therapy

A pioneering study published in Scientific Reports has shed new light on the potential of ayahuasca to help individuals navigate the complexities of grief [1]. The study explored a novel therapeutic approach called ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy, which combines the use of the psychedelic brew with a specific form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals find new meaning in their lives after a significant loss. The study was a three-arm, open-label trial that compared the effects of ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy (A-MR) to meaning reconstruction therapy alone (MR) and a no-treatment control group (NT). The results were striking. The A-MR group showed the most significant reduction in grief severity, with a large effect size that was significantly greater than both the MR and NT groups. This suggests that the addition of ayahuasca to the therapeutic process had a powerful and synergistic effect.

The study involved 84 adults who were experiencing severe grief within 12 months of losing a first-degree relative. The A-MR group participated in a structured program that included psychotherapeutic sessions and two ayahuasca ceremonies. The MR group received the same psychotherapy without the ayahuasca, and the NT group received no treatment. The researchers measured a range of outcomes, including grief severity, prolonged grief disorder symptoms, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life. The findings were consistent across the board: the A-MR group showed the most significant improvements in all areas. This is the first controlled prospective study to provide preliminary support for A-MR as a safe and potentially effective intervention for severe grief, and it opens up a new frontier in the field of grief therapy. A 2025 clinical trial protocol for a similar study further highlights the growing interest in this area of research [2].

The Study's Findings: A Deeper Look at the Healing Process

The results of the Scientific Reports study provide a compelling case for the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca in the context of grief. The A-MR group not only experienced a greater reduction in grief severity, but they also showed significant improvements in prolonged grief symptomatology, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life [1]. These findings suggest that ayahuasca-assisted therapy does not just numb the pain of grief, but it can actually help individuals to grow and find new meaning in their lives in the wake of a profound loss. The fact that these positive effects were sustained at the three-month follow-up is particularly encouraging, as it suggests that the healing process initiated by the therapy can have a lasting impact.

The study also sheds light on the safety of ayahuasca in a therapeutic setting. There were no serious adverse events reported in the A-MR group, and the ayahuasca was well-tolerated by the participants. This is an important finding, as it helps to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions that surround the use of psychedelics. When administered in a safe and supportive environment with trained professionals, ayahuasca can be a powerful tool for healing. A 2025 study protocol for a psilocybin-assisted therapy trial for prolonged grief disorder, the PARTING trial, further emphasizes the importance of a structured and supportive setting for psychedelic-assisted therapy [3].

It is also worth noting that the study was conducted with individuals who were in the early stages of bereavement, within 12 months of their loss. This is a critical period, as it is when individuals are most at risk for developing prolonged grief disorder. The fact that the therapy was effective in this early stage suggests that it may have a preventative role, helping individuals to process their grief in a healthy way before it becomes a chronic and debilitating condition. An earlier study from 2019 also explored the potential use of ayahuasca in grief therapy, highlighting the long-standing interest in this area [4].

The Role of Meaning-Making: Finding a New Path Forward

At the heart of ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy is the concept of meaning-making. Grief is not just about the pain of loss, but also about the loss of meaning that can accompany it. When we lose someone we love, our world can feel shattered, and the future can seem bleak and uncertain. Meaning reconstruction therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is specifically designed to help individuals to find new meaning in their lives in the wake of a significant loss. It is a process of actively and consciously creating a new narrative for one's life, one that incorporates the loss but is not defined by it. A 2024 case study on psychedelic-assisted grief therapy provides a real-world example of this process in action, showing how one individual was able to find new meaning and purpose after a profound loss with the help of ayahuasca [5].

The addition of ayahuasca to this therapeutic process appears to be a powerful catalyst for meaning-making. The psychedelic experience can provide individuals with a new perspective on their lives, their relationships, and their place in the world. It can help them to see their loss in a new light, and to find a sense of connection to something larger than themselves. Many people who have used ayahuasca for grief report having profound spiritual experiences that help them to come to terms with their loss and to find a new sense of peace and acceptance. These experiences can be deeply personal and transformative, and they can provide a powerful foundation for the process of meaning reconstruction.

Is Ayahuasca for Grief Right for You?: Important Considerations

While the results of the study are incredibly promising, it is important to remember that ayahuasca-assisted therapy is not a magic bullet. It is a powerful and intensive form of therapy that is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with a history of psychosis or other serious mental health conditions may not be good candidates for this type of treatment. It is also crucial that the therapy is conducted in a safe and legal setting with experienced and qualified professionals. The therapeutic container is just as important as the ayahuasca itself, and the support of a trained therapist is essential for navigating the often-challenging emotional terrain of the psychedelic experience. Anyone who is considering this type of therapy should do their research and carefully consider the potential risks and benefits.

It is also important to be aware of the legal status of ayahuasca. In many countries, ayahuasca is a controlled substance, and its use is illegal. However, there are a growing number of countries and jurisdictions where ayahuasca is legal for religious or therapeutic use. There are also a growing number of underground therapists who are offering ayahuasca-assisted therapy, but it is important to be cautious and to do your due diligence before working with any practitioner. The decision to use ayahuasca for grief is a deeply personal one, and it is a decision that should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

Conclusion: A New Hope for Healing from Profound Loss

The study on ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy for prolonged grief disorder is a landmark study that offers new hope to those who are struggling with the pain of loss. The finding that this therapy can not only reduce the symptoms of grief but also promote post-traumatic growth and improve quality of life is a testament to its transformative potential. While more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of this therapy, the initial results are incredibly promising. For those who are lost in the darkness of grief, ayahuasca-assisted therapy may offer a new and powerful path to healing, a path that can lead not just to a reduction in pain, but to a new sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to life.

References

[1] Soto-Angona, O., et al. (2025). Ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy as an early resource for bereavement: a non-randomized clinical trial. Scientific Reports. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-13251-5

[2] Sabucedo, P., et al. (2025). Ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy for grief: a non-randomized clinical trial protocol. Frontiers in Psychiatry. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1484736/full

[3] Beesley, V. L., et al. (2025). Psilocybin-Assisted suppoRtive psychoTherapy IN the treatment of prolonged grief disorder (PARTING Trial). PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12004488/

[4] González, D., et al. (2019). Potential use of ayahuasca in grief therapy. OMEGA-Journal of Death and Dying. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0030222817710879

[5] Sabucedo, P., et al. (2024). Psychedelic-assisted grief therapy: a mixed-method case study. Taylor & Francis Online. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13576275.2024.2434456

Disclaimer: Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy has not been approved by any regulatory agencies in the United States, and the safety and efficacy are still not formally established at the time of this writing.