Minds in Bloom

Adolescent Use and Experience of Ayahuasca within the União de Vegetal, Brazil.

The emerging field of psychedelic research, which includes ayahuasca, has largely focused on adult experiences. There is growing optimism that these substances, if used wisely, can offer psychological, physiological, and relational benefits with low risk. However, the question arises: what about the adolescents who are increasingly seeking out these compounds for various reasons? How do the effects of psychedelics experienced by adults translate to younger individuals?

This project, initiated by David Sjöström, an adolescent psychiatrist, psychedelic psychotherapist and researcher, aims to contribute to the largely unexplored understanding of adolescent ayahuasca experiences, such as those provided by the União de Vegetal in Brazil, where its use is legal and always supervised by elders in a ceremonial context. What could be the potential benefits for a developing mind to have an intensive and deeply meaningful psychedelic experience, as is often the case for adults, within a supportive and encouraging cultural framework of family and friends? Equally important, when might it not be suitable?

It can be argued that it is our moral duty as adults to explore how adolescents are experiencing the psychedelics they are increasingly using, with or without our consent. How can we as a society maximize the benefits for adolescents who are curious about exploring their minds and hearts with potent psychoactive drugs, while also recognizing and optimizing harm reduction strategies?