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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 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
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 findings 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.

Comparable studies

Other non-randomized and open-label trials on ayahuasca, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Antidepressant Effects of a Single Dose of Ayahuasca in Patients With Recurrent Depression Patients with recurrent depression 2015 Open-label trial n = 17
Assessing the Psychedelic “After-Glow” in Ayahuasca Users: Post-Acute Neurometabolic and Functional Connectivity Changes Are Associated with Enhanced Mindfulness Capacities Healthy volunteers 2017 Open-label uncontrolled study n = 16
Rapid and sustained decreases in suicidality following a single dose of ayahuasca among individuals with recurrent major depressive disorder: results from an open-label trial. Individuals with recurrent major depressive disorder 2021 Open-label trial (secondary analysis) n = 17
Pilot Evaluation of a Residential Drug Addiction Treatment Combining Traditional Amazonian Medicine, Ayahuasca and Psychotherapy on Depression and Anxiety Male patients in an inpatient addiction treatment program 2020 Pre-post observational study n = 31
Long-term effects of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a 5-year qualitative follow-up Patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder who had participated in an... 2018 Long-term follow-up of an open-label trial n = 8

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Ayahuasca Psychedelic-assisted therapy