David Sjöström

David Sjöström is a resident child and adolescent psychiatrist trained in augmented psychotherapy with the MIND Foundation in Berlin. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Lund University researching the use and experience of psychedelics among adolescents in Sweden and within ayahuasca communities in Brazil. David also serves as the study coordinator for psiAN, a newly approved clinical trial investigating the safety and therapeutic potential of two 25 mg doses of psilocybin for adolescents and young adults with relapse in anorexia nervosa.

Can psychedelics support adolescent mental health?

This presentation explores the complex landscape of adolescent psychedelic use through a combination of quantitative and qualitative research findings. It examines both the potential risks and therapeutic possibilities associated with psychedelic experiences in young people. Particular attention is given to how cultural context, individual differences, and setting may shape outcomes, underscoring the need for cautious and nuanced approaches at a time of increasing interest in classical psychedelics in countries such as Sweden. The presentation will also introduce psiAN, a newly approved clinical trial assessing the safety and effects of two 25 mg doses of psilocybin for adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 35 experiencing relapse in anorexia nervosa. By bridging naturalistic and clinical perspectives, this talk aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion of whether—and how—psychedelics can be integrated safely and meaningfully into adolescent mental health care