Facing the Past to Heal for the Future
Article Title: “Prevalence and therapeutic impact of adverse life event re-experiencing under ceremonial ayahuasca”
Author: Brandon Weiss, Aleksandra Wingert, David Erritzoe & W. Keith Campbell
Publication Date: 2023
Background
As interest in psychedelic healing grows, more people are turning to ayahuasca retreats to process emotional pain and trauma. But one question looms large: is it safe—or even helpful—for someone to reexperience a traumatic memory while under the effects of a powerful plant medicine?
A team of researchers set out to answer this question with the largest study to date on this topic. They looked specifically at the ceremonial use of ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew known for its intense psychological effects, and how it interacts with past adverse life experiences—including things like assault, illness, loss, and combat.
Study Overview
The study surveyed 339 people who attended ayahuasca retreats in Peru and Costa Rica. This included a diverse mix of non-veterans and 33 military veterans—many of whom had seen combat or experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Participants filled out surveys at three points: before their retreat, right after, and again three months later. They reported on what difficult life events they had experienced, whether they relived any of those memories during ceremony, and how their emotional wellbeing had changed over time. The researchers were especially interested in one personality trait called neuroticism—which refers to a person’s general tendency to experience negative emotions like anxiety, sadness, and irritability.
Key Findings
Reliving trauma was common: Over 40% of non-veterans and nearly 60% of veterans said they relived at least one difficult past event during ceremony. Women were more likely than men to report reliving past sexual trauma, while veterans were more likely to revisit combat-related memories.
Intensity of experience: These re-experiences weren’t mild—on average, participants rated them close to 4 out of 5 in emotional intensity.
Emotional impact during ceremony: People who relived traumatic memories often described feelings of deep discomfort, but they also reported powerful moments of insight, emotional release, and meaning-making. Many said they were able to see old events in a new light.
Improvements in wellbeing: Those who relived difficult memories saw greater improvements in emotional health, especially in reduced levels of neuroticism (a measure of emotional instability and sensitivity to stress). These improvements were still present three months later.
Discussion
This study is one of the first to offer detailed insight into how often people relive trauma under ayahuasca—and what that means for their healing. It found that reliving past trauma, while often intense, was associated with personal growth, self-reflection, and emotional relief.
Rather than avoiding painful memories, many participants were able to face them head-on—with support from the ceremonial setting, the community, and the introspective effects of ayahuasca. This kind of immersive emotional processing is different from conventional therapy, where people often talk about past events in a controlled and limited way.
Importantly, the study also highlighted that these intense experiences don’t appear to cause harm—in fact, they may be part of the healing journey.
Implications
These findings offer both hope and guidance for those considering an ayahuasca retreat. For people carrying the weight of past trauma, it may be reassuring to know that difficult memories can surface—but they can also be transformed.
For retreat providers, this research underscores the importance of preparation, support during ceremony, and integration afterwards. Helping participants make sense of what they’ve experienced is key to turning emotional intensity into meaningful growth.
Potential Application
Ayahuasca may offer unique value for those who feel stuck or overwhelmed by traditional talk therapy—especially veterans and others with complex trauma. That said, the journey is not without challenge. Facilitators and participants alike should approach these experiences with care, respect, and a strong support system.
For those who are ready, ayahuasca could be more than just a psychedelic—it could be a turning point in their relationship with the past.
Conclusions
Reliving past trauma during an ayahuasca retreat may sound daunting, but this study suggests it can be deeply healing. The emotional intensity of these experiences often comes hand-in-hand with insight, clarity, and long-term improvement in mental well-being. With the right environment and support, facing the past may be one of the most powerful steps toward healing.
Reference:
Weiss, B., Wingert, A., Erritzoe, D., & Campbell, W. K. (2023). Prevalence and therapeutic impact of adverse life event reexperiencing under ceremonial ayahuasca. Scientific Reports, 13, 9438. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36184-3
You may also like
