Ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy as an early resource for bereavement: a non-randomized clinical trial.
Oscar Soto-Angona, Óscar Andión, Pablo Sabucedo, Robert A Neimeyer, Josep Maria Haro, Julia Javkin, Magí Farré, Débora González
Scientific reports September 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-13251-5 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA three-arm, open-label study compared ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy (A-MR) with meaning reconstruction therapy alone (MR) and a no-treatment control (NT) for 84 adults who had experienced severe grief within 12 months of losing a first-degree relative. All groups showed significant reductions in grief severity, with the largest effect in A-MR (d = 2.44), followed by MR (d = 1.84) and NT (d = 0.74). A-MR led to greater reductions than MR (d = 0.86) and NT (d = 1.07), and also improved prolonged grief symptoms, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life with medium-to-large effects. Ayahuasca was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Replication in larger randomized trials is needed.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Open-label, sequentially allocated controlled trial Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 84 |
| Population | Adults experiencing severe grief within 12 months of losing a first-degree relative |
| Interventions | Ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy Meaning reconstruction therapy alone |
| Duration | 3 months post-intervention follow-up |
| Topics | Ayahuasca Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Bereavement Clinical trial Meaning reconstruction Prolonged grief disorder |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy produced greater reductions in grief severity than meaning reconstruction therapy alone or no treatment, with medium-to-large effect sizes. |
Abstract
Preliminary evidence suggests that ayahuasca may alleviate severe grief symptoms. This three-arm, sequentially allocated, open-label study examines the therapeutic changes associated with ayahuasca-assisted meaning reconstruction therapy (A-MR) compared to meaning reconstruction therapy alone (MR) and a no-treatment control (NT). A total of 84 adults experiencing severe grief within 12 months of losing a first-degree relative were allocated to A-MR (n = 28), MR (n = 28), or NT (n = 28). Grief severity, prolonged grief disorder symptoms, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life were assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and 3 months post-intervention. Ayahuasca was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported. All groups showed significant grief severity reduction (A-MR: p < .0001, d = 2.44; MR: p < .0001, d = 1.84; NT: p < .002, d = 0.74). Greater reductions were observed in the A-MR compared to MR (p = .012, d = 0.86) and NT (p = .0008, d = 1.07). A-MR was also associated with significant improvements in prolonged grief symptomatology, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life, with medium-to-large effect sizes. This is the first controlled prospective study to provide preliminary support for A-MR as a safe and potentially effective intervention for severe grief, though replication in larger randomized trials is required.