BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//eluceo/ical//2.0/EN VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:8f89e104a9b369b922c2c37b6974ba0f DTSTAMP:20260807T162342Z SUMMARY:David Sjöström - Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper\, Lund DESCRIPTION:Kontakt: david.sjostrom@med.lu.se\n\nTitle: Psychedelic Use and Mental Health in AdolescentsMain supervisor: Docent Emma Claesdotter-Knut sson\, Lunds universitet \;Reviewers: Professor Anette Kjellgren\, Kar lstad Universitet and Phd Claudia Cicognola\, Lunds universitetAbstract&nb sp\;BackgroundResearch on classical psychedelics has expanded rapidly in r ecent years\, with clinical trials in adults suggesting benefits for depre ssion\, anxiety\, substance use disorders and eating disorders. Far less i s known about psychedelic use in adolescents and associations with mental health\, despite indications of rising prevalence. Adolescence is a sensit ive developmental period\, marked by ongoing brain maturation and psychoso cial vulnerability\, which may shape responses to psychoactive substances. Previous findings suggest that adolescents may experience more adverse ef fects\, including anxiety and destabilizing experiences\, compared with ad ults. Personality traits\, particularly neuroticism\, appear to play a cru cial role in explaining both mental health outcomes and the nature of psyc hedelic experiences. To date\, no randomized controlled trial has been con ducted in adolescent populations.Research QuestionsI. What does the existi ng literature show about adolescent psychedelic use and its associations w ith mental health?II. What is the prevalence of psychedelic use among Swed ish adolescents?III. How do adolescents describe their lived experiences w ith psychedelics\, including perceived benefits\, challenges\, and integra tion into everyday life?IV. How do adolescent and adult psychedelic users differ in reported outcomes\, and what role does personality play in expla ining these differences?V. Can psilocybin be studied safely in adolescents with anorexia nervosa\, and how should a protocol be designed to ensure e thical and developmental safeguards?Preliminary ResultsThe scoping review revealed sparse and methodologically limited research and a lack of contro lled trials in adolescents. The National Swedish School Survey (Research Q uestion I)) showed that 1\,9% of adolescents reported lifetime use of psyc hedelics\, and they reported higher anxiety\, largely explained by neuroti cism rather than use itself. Research Question IV results are \; in re view and demonstrate the adolescents report more adverse outcomes than adu lts\, and that personality traits explain of the variance than age alone. Results regarding Research Question III and V is being prepared for submis sion. \;SignificanceThis research program provides novel insights into adolescent psychedelic use\, emphasizing the importance of personality tr aits\, developmental stage\, and contextual factors in shaping outcomes. T he findings highlight both risks and therapeutic potential\, underscoring the need for longitudinal\, ethically sound\, and developmentally informed research. By combining epidemiological\, qualitative\, and clinical trial approaches\, this thesis contributes knowledge essential for public healt h\, harm reduction\, and the future development of safe psychedelic-assist ed therapies for adolescents.PublicationsSjöström\, D. K.\, Claesdotter- Knutsson\, E.\, Gripe\, I.\, Thor\, S.\, &\; Kajonius\, P. J. (2025).&n bsp\;Adolescent psychedelic use and mental health is associated with user personality: A representative national study on drug use. International Jo urnal of Mental Health and Addiction. Advance online publication. \;ht tps://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-025-01481-7Sjöström\, D. K.\, Claesdotter-K nutsson\, E.\, &\; Kajonius\, P. J. \;Adverse outcomes following ps ychedelic use in adolescents and adults: Associations with age and persona lity traits [Manuscript submitted for publication 2025.09.23]\n\nMer infor mation om händelsen: https://www.intramed.lu.se/evenemang/david-sjostrom- institutionen-kliniska-vetenskaper-lund DTSTART;TZID=GMT:20251013T110000 DTEND;TZID=GMT:20251013T110000 LOCATION:Allhelgona Kyrkogata 16A\, rum P124\, Psykologiska Institutionen\ , Lunds Universitet END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR