Þórarinn Ævarsson is an Icelandic patient advocate and a leading voice in the conversation around destigmatising cannabis and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Formerly a prominent business leader and CEO of IKEA Iceland and Domino’s Iceland, his life changed after a brain aneurysm led to years of chronic headaches, depression and dependency on prescription medication.
His personal experience with psychedelic-assisted therapy and cannabis-based treatment inspired him to focus on patient advocacy and open, honest discussion about mental health, chronic pain and the limitations of conventional treatment pathways. Through podcasts, radio programmes, newspaper articles and public conversations, Þórarinn works to challenge stigma and encourage a more compassionate, evidence-informed approach to healthcare.
