New Era for Psychedelic Science in the Nordic Region: The Launch of the Nordic Psychedelic Network Initiative

By Cecilie Byholt Endresen, President of the Norwegian Association for Psychedelic Science and co-founder of the Nordic Psychedelic Network Initiative

On Wednesday, February 26th, 2025, a significant milestone was reached in the evolution of psychedelic science and medicine in the Nordic region. In Reykjavik, Iceland, during the conference Psychedelics as Medicine, representatives from all the Nordic psychedelic associations came together for an unprecedented moment of unity. This historic gathering culminated in the signing of the Manifesto for the Nordic Psychedelic Network Initiative, a shared commitment to ethical, sustainable, and collaborative advancement in the field.

The day's proceedings began with each national association offering an overview of their origin stories, ongoing efforts, and future aspirations. These presentations made clear the depth of commitment, integrity, and expertise that underpin the growing psychedelic movement across the Nordic countries. However, it was the formal signing of the Manifesto that symbolized a new chapter—one grounded in solidarity and a collective vision.

A Shared Vision for Responsible Progress

The Manifesto articulates a bold and necessary vision: to work collaboratively toward the responsible integration of psychedelic therapies into healthcare and society. It affirms a shared commitment to advancing scientific research, shaping compassionate and evidence-based policy, and engaging meaningfully with communities across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Sweden.

The network’s collective mission rests on five foundational pillars:

• Fostering Collaboration
  Building an inclusive and sustainable pan-Nordic network that bridges NGOs, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to support ethical psychedelic science.

• Advancing Knowledge
  Supporting rigorous research, education, and information-sharing to deepen understanding of both the therapeutic potential and inherent risks of psychedelics.

• Advocating for Policy and Awareness
  Promoting policies that ensure safe, equitable, and responsible use of psychedelics, while cultivating public understanding grounded in ethics and science.

• Promoting Sustainable Development
  Aligning efforts with core Nordic values such as ecological responsibility, gender equality, Indigenous wisdom, youth perspectives, and social equity.

• Enhancing Community Engagement
  Fostering open dialogue and inclusive spaces that address stigma and empower diverse voices in the psychedelic landscape.

Honoring Indigenous Wisdom and Ecological Responsibility

Two dimensions of the Manifesto drew particular emphasis during its presentation: Indigenous knowledge and ecological stewardship.

Psychedelics have long played a vital role in the spiritual, medical, and communal lives of Indigenous peoples across the globe. As the Nordic region moves toward integrating psychedelics into formal medical systems, there is a moral imperative to center Indigenous voices, traditions, and insights. These perspectives are not ancillary—they are essential. The Manifesto recognizes that meaningful engagement with Indigenous knowledge is a matter of ethical responsibility and epistemic justice.

Equally critical is the commitment to ecological responsibility. Psychedelics, whether naturally derived or synthesized, are deeply intertwined with the natural world. As the network advances psychedelic research and access, it does so with a firm dedication to sustainability, reciprocity, and planetary health. The wellbeing of human communities cannot be disentangled from the ecosystems that sustain them.