A Nature-Themed Video Intervention Increases Nature Relatedness in Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder.

Publication Title

Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)

Authors

• Rhianna Rich, Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.Follow
• Kelsey Laird, Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.
• Prabha Siddarth, Brain Health Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.Follow
• Brittany Youssef, Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.
• Grace M Schwartz, Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.
• Ashley Ramos, Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.Follow
• Karina Sergi, Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.Follow
• Micah Linton, Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.
• Louie Schwartzberg
• Daniel F Kelly, Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.Brain Health Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.Follow
• Keith Heinzerling, Treatment and Research in Psychedelics (TRIP) Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.Brain Health Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, United States.Follow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2026

Keywords

alcohol use disorder; nature relatedness; psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy; psychedelic; set and setting; social connectedness; video intervention.; california; pni; psjhc; santa monica

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has shown promising results for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other mental health conditions. Although the precise mechanisms of psychedelic therapies remain unclear, many studies report increased feelings of connectedness following psychedelic experiences. Specifically, both nature relatedness (one's subjective sense of being connected to nature) and social connectedness (feelings of comprehensive social closeness) have been shown to increase with psychedelic use, and greater connectedness in these domains has been associated with enhanced health and well-being. The current study examined whether a nature-themed video intervention presented to participants undergoing psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy would differentially affect nature relatedness compared with social connectedness in adults with AUD.

METHODS: A total of 20 participants were randomized to either the visual healing condition (viewing a 42-min nature video;

RESULTS: A significant between-group difference was observed in change in nature relatedness pre-to-postpsilocybin session [χ

CONCLUSIONS: Viewing a nature-themed video may enhance nature relatedness among individuals undergoing psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for AUD. Future research should investigate the effects of real-life nature immersion and explore nature relatedness and other forms of connectedness as potential therapeutic targets in psychedelic-assisted and other psychotherapies NCT04410913.

Area of Special Interest

Mental Health

Area of Special Interest

Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)

Specialty/Research Institute

Neurosciences

Specialty/Research Institute

Behavioral Health

DOI

10.1177/28314425251387655