This survey (n=363) investigated the effects of psychedelic use on grief symptoms among individuals who had experienced a bereavement event. The results indicated significant improvements in grief symptoms following a psychedelic experience, with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.83). Emotional breakthroughs during the psychedelic experience were positively associated with improved grief symptoms, while challenging experiences had the opposite effect.
Abstract of Psychedelic Experiences After Bereavement Improve Symptoms of Grief
“Grief, a common reaction to loss, can frequently become problematic or impairing. Available treatments for prolonged grief disorder are promising but leave room for considerable improvement. Qualitative accounts of psychedelic experiences after bereavement reveal themes that parallel core components of prolonged grief disorder therapy. However, few studies have investigated the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for symptoms of grief. The present study surveyed recreational psychedelic users (N = 363) who had suffered a bereavement event. They reported retrospective grief symptoms before and after the psychedelic experience as well as subjective reactions to the psychedelic, including emotional breakthroughs and challenging experiences. Results indicate improvements in grief symptoms after a psychedelic experience, with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.83). The occurrence of emotional breakthroughs was positively associated with improvements in symptoms of grief, while the converse relation was observed for challenging experiences. Findings provide preliminary evidence that support the development of a psychedelic-assisted therapy protocol to target symptoms of grief. Psychedelic-assisted therapy might offer an alternative to current grief treatment options.“
Authors: Fiona Low & Mitch Earleywine
Summary of Psychedelic Experiences After Bereavement Improve Symptoms of Grief
Bereavement is a stressful life event associated with an increased risk of physical pain, acute cardiovascular events, suicidality, and overall mortality. Those grieving are also more likely to experience depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and increased substance use behaviours.
About one in 10 adults exposed to nonviolent bereavement develop prolonged grief disorder, and the prevalence is even higher among those who lose a loved one to unnatural causes such as suicide, homicide, disaster, or war.
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https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2023.2228303
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Cite this paper (APA)
Low, F., & Earleywine, M. (2023). Psychedelic Experiences After Bereavement Improve Symptoms of Grief: The Influence of Emotional Breakthroughs and Challenging Experiences. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1-8.
Study details
Participants
363
Humans