Narrative review of the potential for psychedelics to treat Prolonged Grief Disorder
Rebecca Ehrenkranz, Manish Agrawal, J. Kim Penberthy, David B. Yaden
International Review of Psychiatry May 23, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2024.2357668 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Open-label Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psilocybin MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Distress Complicated grief Randomized controlled trial Clinical psychology Psychotherapist Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA show a consistent trend toward reducing grief in preliminary studies, but no randomized clinical trials have yet been conducted for Prolonged Grief Disorder. |
Abstract
Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is distinct from yet related to non-pathologic grief, depression, addiction, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with a prevalence of up to 10% in bereaved populations. Hallmarks of PGD include functional impairment a year or more post-bereavement and intense yearning for the deceased. Current treatments for PGD are typically psychological rather than psychopharmacological, and more treatment options are needed. Psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA may be a promising treatment avenue for PGD. Randomized clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of psilocybin in reducing symptom severity in depression and MDMA in reducing PTSD symptomatology. Furthermore, psychedelics often produce subjective effects (such as transcendence, mystical experiences, and a sense of oneness) that may be uniquely relevant to the existential distress experienced in PGD. No randomized clinical trials have thus far been conducted on the safety and efficacy of psychedelics for PGD. Initial research, including survey-based studies and an open-label trial, has begun to shed light on the possible benefits of psychedelics in the alleviation of grief. While the evidence from these studies is preliminary, it suggests a consistent trend towards the effectiveness of psychedelics in grief reduction. Conducting a randomized clinical trial would be an appropriate next step to explore the potential efficacy of using psychedelics to treat PGD.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Pharmacology of MDMA | 2004 | Review | |
| Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research | 2001 | Review | |
| 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans | 1994 | Review | |
| (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals | 2000 | Review | |
| Amphetamine toxicities | 2010 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Psychedelic therapeutics in psychiatric conditions Neuropsychopharmacology January 16, 2026
- Psilocybin-Assisted suppoRtive psychoTherapy IN the treatment of prolonged Grief (PARTING) trial: protocol for an open-label pilot trial for cancer-related bereavement BMJ Open April 1, 2025
- Psilocybin for Treatment of Prolonged Grief Disorder: An Open-Label Feasibility Study Protocol Psychoactives April 13, 2026
Cites 28
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine June 1, 2021
and 23 more in the library