The Park is proud to welcome Noord Darkness, the Nordics’ first dedicated darkness retreat center, to its innovation community at The Park and Forskaren. Noord is pioneering a new approach to mental well-being by combining ancient introspective practices with modern life science — and bringing it into the heart of the city.
Founded by a multidisciplinary team, Noord is led by Sajjad Saffari, a biomedical scientist from Karolinska Institutet with expertise in biometrics and mental health start-ups. He is joined by Dr. Samer Yammine, a medical doctor and PhD in genomics who teaches at KI, and Annika Shelly, a meditation instructor and specialist in East Asian spiritual traditions who also serves on an inter-governmental task force on mental resilience.
What Is a Darkness Retreat?A darkness retreat is an immersive experience where individuals spend on average 3-5 days in complete darkness — no light, no screens, no distractions. In short, a digital detox. The space is fully blacked out, and most retreats are held in silence, with minimal interaction limited to meals and check-ins. This sensory withdrawal allows the nervous system to reset and the body to enter a deep state of rest.
Scientific studies suggest that extended exposure to darkness shifts the body into a parasympathetic “rest and restore” state — lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels while supporting circadian rhythm synchronization, improved sleep quality, and hormonal regulation. These changes support emotional regulation, digestion, and overall well-being. Research also indicates that melatonin may influence neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, which are key to mood and focus.
Urban Innovation Meets Ancient PracticeWhile the Darkness Retreat Center is located 2 hours outside of Stockholm in Norberg, Noord is currently adapting darkness retreats for urban life. Noord’s new Stockholm office will serve as a hub for research and development, focusing on shorter, city-based darkness sessions. These will integrate biometric tracking and life-science methodologies to explore how sensory withdrawal can support mindfulness, stress recovery, and digital detox in measurable ways.“With life science as our backyard, we are combining a thousand-year-old introspective tradition with modern-day tracking tools to better understand and optimize the benefits of sensory withdrawal. This new presence in Stockholm allows us to bring the transformative power of darkness closer to the city — and to science. Above all, we want to make the benefits of darkness immersion more widespread and well-known to everyone in the life-science community in everyday life,” says Sajjad Saffari, CEO and Co-Founder of Noord Darkness.
Noord’s presence at The Park adds a unique dimension to the community — one that invites reflection, restoration, and a deeper understanding of the human mind and body. Their work aligns with The Park’s mission to support innovation at the intersection of health, science, and creativity.
To learn more about Noord Darkness, visit www.noorddarkness.com.
