Psychedelic-assisted therapy is changing what’s possible for people living with trauma. Slana follows the research and advocates for access in places like Northern Ireland.
Our purpose
Trauma doesn’t simply fade. It lives in the body, in families, in whole communities. Understanding what actually helps means looking at the evidence honestly and including the people it affects most.
Slana exists to bring dignity, good science and real support to people living with trauma.
Evidence, with context
The research is promising and still evolving. We present the findings alongside their limitations, because that’s the only way to read them honestly.
Nature Medicine · 90 participants
Participants who received MDMA alongside therapy showed a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms than those who received placebo with the same therapy.
The primary endpoint was two months after the last experimental session. Limited diversity and difficulty masking treatment assignment are real weaknesses.
New England Journal of Medicine · 59 participants
A six-week head-to-head compared psilocybin with the antidepressant escitalopram, with psychological support in both groups. On the primary outcome, no statistically significant difference was found.
Some secondary measures favoured psilocybin, but they were not adjusted for multiple comparisons.
Journal of Psychopharmacology · 51 participants
Comparing higher and very low doses of psilocybin, this study found reductions in depression and anxiety among people with life-threatening cancer, with benefits still present at six months.
This was a small, specific group. By long-term follow-up, both groups had received the higher dose, limiting a controlled comparison.
Look at the number of participants, their circumstances and who was excluded. Fifty people is not everyone.
Check the treatment, support and comparison group. Laboratory or animal findings cannot establish a clinical benefit in people. A study in rats is a study in rats.
Consider side effects, follow-up length, bias and whether results have been independently replicated. One study is a start, not a verdict.
Benefits and risks
Psilocybin can cause fear, confusion, nausea and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Some mental health conditions raise the risks significantly. These are not substances to take casually.
If you're considering treatment, talk to your doctor.
Read the NCCIH overview of benefits and risks
Care in community
In places like Northern Ireland, the legacy of conflict can shape lives across generations. The people who live with trauma deserve a say in what care looks like.
Slana connects emerging research with the priorities of communities, bringing people’s experiences into the conversation about better care.
Share your perspectiveWatch
An introduction to Slana, encouraging research and new possibilities for healing and wellbeing.
00:00Slana brings together people who believe that better mental health care can help lives and communities flourish. We are exploring new possibilities for healing through psychedelic research, thoughtful conversation and a commitment to care that honours each person.
00:18People arrive at this conversation with different experiences, questions and hopes. By listening to one another, we can build a shared understanding of what good care looks like, and give people a meaningful voice in the support they receive.
00:33Psychedelic-assisted therapy brings together substances such as psilocybin or MDMA with psychological support. Preparation helps people understand the process, trained professionals support the session, and follow-up provides space to reflect on the experience and carry insights into everyday life.
00:52There is a substantial and encouraging body of research in this field. Clinical studies have reported meaningful improvements in trauma symptoms, depression and anxiety. These positive findings are giving researchers, clinicians and communities fresh reasons to explore what this approach can offer.
01:11An important part of this work is understanding the human experience of healing. Researchers are exploring how these approaches may help people engage with difficult emotions, find new perspectives and develop a greater sense of connection with themselves and others.
01:27This is a conversation about the whole person: their relationships, their daily life and the things that give life meaning. Slana follows research with an interest in how better mental health care can support wellbeing beyond the clinical setting.
01:43Thoughtful clinical care is central to this approach. Screening, informed consent and qualified supervision help determine whether treatment is suitable for an individual. Ongoing support gives people time to understand their experience and work with it in a caring therapeutic relationship.
02:01Slana advocates for responsible research, informed public discussion and pathways to professionally supported care. We bring people into the conversation, share accessible information and encourage collaboration between researchers, clinicians and communities, so that developments in this field are shaped by human needs.
02:24Our purpose is to help this promising work become part of a wider conversation about healing and wellbeing. We welcome curiosity, compassion and the voices of people seeking better care. Explore the research, discover Slana and join the conversation at slana.org.
Keep exploring
Studies, reporting and organisations working on psychedelic-assisted therapy, trauma care and community wellbeing. We read these; you might want to as well. Open a topic to browse.
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Get in touch
Whether it’s a question about the research, a collaboration idea, or a perspective from your own community — say hello.
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