Potential Use of Ayahuasca in Grief Therapy
OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying – May 30, 2017
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca may offer significant benefits for those grappling with grief. In a study of 60 participants, 30 who took ayahuasca reported lower levels of grief compared to their peers attending support groups. Specifically, the ayahuasca group showed improved scores on the Present Feelings Scale of the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief. Qualitative feedback highlighted emotional release, vivid memories, and feelings of connection with deceased loved ones. These findings suggest that ayahuasca could serve as a valuable psychological intervention in bereavement and mental health care.
Abstract
The death of a loved one is ultimately a universal experience. However, conventional interventions employed for people suffering with uncomplicated grief have gathered little empirical support. The present study aimed to explore the potential effects of ayahuasca on grief. We compared 30 people who had taken ayahuasca with 30 people who had attended peer-support groups, measuring level of grief and experiential avoidance. We also examined themes in participant responses to an open-ended question regarding their experiences with ayahuasca. The ayahuasca group presented a lower level of grief in the Present Feelings Scale of Texas Revised Inventory of Grief, showing benefits in some psychological and interpersonal dimensions. Qualitative responses described experiences of emotional release, biographical memories, and experiences of contact with the deceased. Additionally, some benefits were identified regarding the ayahuasca experiences. These results provide preliminary data about the potential of ayahuasca as a therapeutic tool in treatments for grief.