Addiction Expert Dr. Anna Lembke Comes to Bucharest to Speak About Digital Dependency and the Attention Crisis

Dr. Anna Lembke, one of the most influential international voices in the field of addiction and mental health, psychiatrist, professor at Stanford University, and author of the global bestseller Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, will speak in Bucharest about digital dependency, burnout, and the attention crisis in the business environment at Impact Bucharest 2026.

The organizers of Impact Bucharest, one of the leading international events dedicated to leaders from business, politics, media, technology, and culture in Southeastern Europe, have announced her participation in the September 29–30, 2026 edition.

The Leading Authority on Addiction

Dr. Anna Lembke is a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A clinician-scholar who has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers, she is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on the opioid crisis and the addictive nature of digital media. Her book, Dopamine Nation, has been translated into over 30 languages and has become a definitive guide for navigating the “compulsive overconsumption” of the 21st century.

Proof That Money Can’t Buy Happiness

In an era of “digital dopamine,” Dr. Lembke’s will address the neurological challenges of the modern workplace and the paradox of why, in an age of unprecedented abundance, we are more prone to anxiety, burnout, and addiction than ever before. Her appearance will provide leaders and innovators with scientific insights into the “pleasure-pain balance” and practical strategies for maintaining focus and well-being in a hyper-connected world.

The Business Case: Why Addiction Science is the New Corporate Strategy

In 2026, the global economy is no longer just competing for “market share”—it is competing for neurological share.

Employee engagement is at an all-time low as the “pleasure-pain balance” shifts toward chronic stress. Dr. Lembke will explain how the constant bombardment of digital pings—Slack, email, and social media—hijacks the prefrontal cortex, the seat of decision-making. For businesses, this translates to a loss of deep-work capability and a rise in medical leaves. Leaders must learn how to design “dopamine-smart” environments that foster long-term loyalty rather than short-term stimulation.

“As our economy and personal lives become increasingly dominated by digital triggers, Dr. Lemke’s research into the brain’s reward system is essential for any leader looking to build a resilient, healthy, and high-performing organizational culture,” says Krystian Wolak, Founder of Impact. “There has never been a better or more important time to welcome her to the Impact Bucharest Stage,” he adds.

Focus is the rarest commodity of the 21st century. Companies that can help their employees (and their customers) find balance will see a direct impact on productivity and brand longevity. Dr. Lembke’s keynote will provide a roadmap for “Digital Sobriety,” teaching executives how to foster an organizational culture that values high-quality output over high-velocity distraction.

About Impact Bucharest

Impact Bucharest is a premier European platform for economic, political, technological, and cultural discussions. Since its inception, the conference has brought together global icons—including Former First Lady Michelle Obama, entrepreneur, author, and best known as a survivor of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, Nando Parrado and author, speaker and cultural expert, Erin Meyer, former #1 WTA tennis player, Simona Halep and many more.

The 2026 edition will feature 9 thematic tracks, ranging from AI and Cybersecurity to Green Economy and Leadership.

Tickets for Impact Bucharest 2026 are currently available at pass.impactbucharest.com/tickets-bucharest