A British mother of three died at a Bolivian retreat specializing in ayahuasca, a psychedelic drug Prince Harry has credited over the years with helping him process grief.
54-year-old social worker Maureen Rainford had booked a 10-day stay in October at the Ayahuasca and San Pedro Pisatahua Retreat, an Amazon-based wellness and detox commune.
Rainford paid £800 for the retreat and reports indicate she was in good health prior to her visit.
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According to her 32-year-old daughter, Rochel, Rainford collapsed just 10 minutes after drinking ayahuasca.
Witnesses said she complained of feeling unwell, and it led to her breathing and heart rate slowing down.
A resort official then informed the family that Rainford had experienced a “medical emergency” on-site.
Despite attempts to revive her with CPR, Rainford died about an hour after she collapsed, and a doctor reportedly arrived only after her death.
“There should be a trained medic on standby when hallucinogenic drugs are being handed out in a remote area,” Rochel told The Sun on Sunday.
Rochel also accused the retreat of attempting to pressure her into cremating her mother’s body in Bolivia, claiming they cited decomposition concerns. “I did not want any cover-up,” she said.
Rainford’s body was eventually repatriated to the UK after Rochel contacted the British consulate.
A post-mortem confirmed that she died of a heart attack. Her funeral was held last week, and East London’s coroner has been notified of her death.
The Pisatahua retreat expressed condolences to Rainford’s family yet however claimed that her death was not related to ayahuasca. “Her passing was due to a medical emergency that was not related to ayahuasca,” a spokesperson said.
Ayahuasca is a bitter-tasting drink made from Amazonian plants, and it contains the hallucinogenic compound N-N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
It has been used for centuries by indigenous tribes in spiritual and religious ceremonies and is considered sacred by some communities.
The drug gained widespread attention after Prince Harry discussed his own experiences with it.
In previous interviews, Prince Harry said the psychedelic gave him a sense of “relaxation, release, comfort, and lightness” as he coped with the death of his mother, Princess Diana.
Harry described the experience as transformative, yet cautioned against recreational use of ayahuasca, emphasizing the need for its right use under guidance.
Despite its growing popularity in wellness circles, the use of ayahuasca carries risks, especially for individuals who possess pre-existing medical conditions.
After the death of Rainford, critics have called for stricter safety measures at retreats offering the substance to avoid a similar incident from unfolding.
