From Hong Kong, WaiFung is a Clinical Psychologist with years of clinical experience primarily in the field of addiction, neurodevelopment and trauma, exhibiting a keen interest in psychedelic research. Currently based at the Maudsley Hospital, King’s College London, he has been working as a core member of the Onaya Science team as a researcher statistician and psychologist for a number of years. With a particular focus on Indigenous Amazonian traditions, he has supported projects exploring ceremonial use of Ayahuasca in the rainforest for mental health as funded by the British Medical Research Council, as well as working alongside Heroic Hearts, an organisation using psychedelic treatments supporting veterans with PTSD. WaiFung is also an avid musician who enjoys honing sound-healing techniques, and does psychedelic harm reduction work with UK based charity PsyCare.

Ayahuasca's Impact on Military Veterans with PTSD in a Traditional Framework – Insights from a 6-Month Follow-up Study

This presentation shares promising preliminary findings from Onaya Science's study on the mental health impact of Shipibo-led ayahuasca ceremonies for Military Veterans with PTSD. 40 Veterans participated in five ceremonies over ten days, with significant reductions in PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance cravings observed 6 months post-treatment. EEG results indicated enhanced brain flexibility, with 6-month follow-up data and epigenetic analysis forthcoming. Highlighting the importance of culturally sensitive and ethical research, this talk emphasizes the value of integrating traditional psychedelic practices with modern mental health care while honoring the wisdom and contributions of indigenous healers.