In this panel, Dr. Páll Matthíasson, Héðinn Unnsteinsson, Dr. Lowen H. Stewart, and Sara María Júlíudóttir will discuss the opportunities and progress for the Icelandic healthcare system concerning psychedelics as a treatment option. The discussion will highlight the importance of Icelandic authorities tuning in and paying legitimate attention to these issues. The Icelandic healthcare system is far from perfect, but there are plenty of growth opportunities with the proper knowledge and innovation in a scientific context. It is essential to push the debate on the issue in Iceland, where mental health issues take up much space in the healthcare system but very little space in government funding.
The panel aims to inform and educate about psychedelic substances and the opportunities involved in allowing and starting treatments with mind-expanding substances in Iceland. The prerequisite is that the government approves it by granting marketing licenses. There is an opportunity to promote the advancement of research and scientific knowledge, and innovation in psychedelic substances and treatments. The question that remains is - where is Iceland going to position itself in this psychedelic renaissance?
Dr. Páll Matthíasson, MD is a psychiatrist at Landspítalinn's psychiatric service. He completed his medical degree from the University of Iceland in 1994 and then spent ten years in London studying and working. He received specialist training in psychiatry at the Maudsley and Bethlem hospitals and completed a doctorate in psychiatry and psychopharmacology from the Institute of Psychiatry, London University. After returning home, Páll first worked as a senior doctor at Landspítali's reception psychiatry department and teaching director of a special course in psychiatry. Currently working again as a psychiatrist, but has also led work on behalf of the Minister of Health in formulating an action plan for mental health issues until the year 2030. Páll is on the editorial board of The Nordic Psychiatrist and was on the editorial board of the Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care 2006-15. He was on the board of The International Early Psychosis Association 2012-15 and on the board of The Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2012-18. Páll has been the WHO Mental Health Counterpart for Iceland since 2010.
Héðinn Unnsteinsson - Héðinn Unnsteinsson, the former chairman of the National Mental Health Association Geðhjálp, is passionate about a changed and humane approach to mental health issues. Héðinn is an educated policy expert with a master's degree in international policy and policy analysis from the University of Bath in England. For the past 30 years, Héðinn has worked on mental health issues both based on his own experience and as an expert in policy-making in the field. Héðinn worked in the years 2003-2010 as an expert on mental health issues at the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). Héðinn wrote the bestselling book Vertu úlfur (e. Be a Wolf) which, among other things, describes his experiences with the mental health system.
Dr. Lowen H. Stewart, MD - Dr. Stewart is a board-certified emergency physician and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Medicine. He has worked in the United States and Norway since 2003 and has been a leading innovator in New Mexico and Norway when it comes to research and treatment with mind-expanding substances. He is the medical advisor to the health institutions in Norway for international research on psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, and esketamine in collaboration with the health companies COMPASS Pathways, MAPS, and Janssen. He is also the regional manager of the therapy company Awakn Life Sciences in the Nordic region. Dr. Stewart is a co-founder of the Norwegian Association for Psychedelic Therapies, a member of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians and serves as associate editor of the Journal of Psychedelic Studies.
Sara María Júlíudóttir, is the founder of the Eden Foundation and one of the leading expert in all things psychedelic in Iceland. Sara María is currently working towards a Master's in Transpersonal Psychotherapy from Ubiquity University in Columbia and has her sights set on a Ph.D. in the field. Her dream is to de-criminalize psychedelics and bring about a revolution of healing in Iceland.