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This Swedish island promises shamans and psychedelic tea

A forthcoming island retreat in Sweden is causing controversy due to the psychedelic tea on offer at the event.

This Swedish island promises shamans and psychedelic tea
One Swedish archipelago is about to become slightly more psychedelic. Photo: Marko Säävalä/TT

Set to take place on Barnens ö (which means 'the children's island') in the archipelago north-east of Stockholm later in July, the Inner Evolution Retreat promises sessions with a shaman, psychotherapy, and the psychedelic tea Ayahuasca.

The event’s Facebook page claims that it takes the “unique approach of combining the use of Ayahuasca and highly advanced western psychotherapeutic techniques” to produce “transformative” effects for those involved.

Medical experts in Sweden have been less glowing in their analysis however, with one warning that the consumption of the drink could be dangerous.

“The tea produces a strongly psychotropic substance that can produce hallucinations and a powerful psychedelic intoxication,” Kai Knudsen, chief physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, told Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet.

“It can cause a severe rise in blood pressure, and is especially dangerous if combined with antidepressants,” he added.

Used in traditional ceremonies by the indigenous peoples of the Peruvian Amazon, Ayahuasca tea contains small amounts of DMT, a substance classified as a narcotic in Sweden.

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When contacted by The Local, the Inner Evolution Retreat's organizers said that they had consulted legal experts to make sure they were not breaking any Swedish laws, and admitted that the drink was “not for everyone”.

Stockholm Police said they were still looking into the facts about the camp.

“We have received information that some kind of camp will take place, and we are working now to find out the facts and what it’s all about. From there we’ll take any necessary measures,” the Stockholm Police media department said in a statement provided to The Local.