Editorial commentary

Prince Harry on ayahuasca: grief relief is personal, not a universal protocol

Harry has described psychedelics as helpful in processing grief and trauma; the evidence supports caution and context, not casual use.

Person: Prince Harry Source: 60 Minutes interview reported by Forbes Statement: 2023-01-08 Reviewed: 2026-04-25 Reviewer: Dr. Michael Teplitsky

The Statement

I would never recommend people to do this recreationally.

Source: 60 Minutes interview reported by Forbes (60 Minutes interview).

Context

Harry's remarks were framed around grief, loss, trauma, and guided psychedelic use. They were not an instruction to self-medicate.

What The Evidence Shows

Ayahuasca research is less mature than MDMA-assisted therapy research for PTSD. Risks include medication interactions, psychiatric destabilization, and unsafe retreat settings.

Where It Lands

Mostly accurate

Psychedelic experiences can feel helpful for grief or trauma.

Some people report benefit, and clinical research is exploring trauma-related applications.

Unsettled

Ayahuasca is an established PTSD treatment.

Evidence is not equivalent to approved or late-stage PTSD therapies.

Bottom Line

His caution is the most evidence-aligned part of the statement: context, screening, and support matter.

Editorial commentary. Not medical or legal advice. Not endorsed by or affiliated with Prince Harry.