Psychopharmacology Maastricht
The psychopharmacology department at Maastricht University focuses on the cognitive, behavioral, and biological effects of various substances, ranging from pharmaceutical to recreational drugs.
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Maastricht Psychedelic Symposium
On May 24, the Maastricht Psychedelic Research Team organized a mini-symposium on psychedelics. We welcomed two international speakers: Prof. dos Santos and Prof. Bouso from Brazil and Spain to discuss their ayahuasca and ibogaine research. We also had several internal speakers: presenting on mystical vs. autobiographical psychedelic experiences (Dr Kangaslampi), microdosing (Ms. Haijen), and 5-MeO-DMT (Mr. Reckweg).
Click below to watch the entire symposium
Read about our new paper on the neurological origins of a visual psychedelic hallucination
Congratulations to Zeus Tipado on his newly published paper that introduces a new theory as to why a person experiences a visual trip on psychedelics.
Read The PaperParticipate in our studies!
We're always conducting research in our department and we're frequently looking for participants to be a part of science! If you're interested, look at the studies that we are currently conducting.
View All Studies
Our Scientists
Sarah Roche, MSc
Psilocybin, Sustainability, Environment
My PhD research focuses on psychedelic drugs as a tool to investigate the cognitive mechanisms underlying changes in sustainable behavior.
Lorena Guerra, MSc
I am Lorena, a PhD candidate from Brazil with experience working on preclinical and clinical research.
Dr. Kim Kuypers
Microdosing, Cognition, Nutrition
My research focuses on the neurobiology of flexible cognition, empathy, and well-being.
Dr. Eef Theunissen
Cognition, Synthetic Cannabinoids, Drugs and Driving
I began my Ph.D. journey in 2001 at the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Maastricht. My research focused on investigating the sedating and stimulating effects of antihistamines, with a particular emphasis on their...
Zeus Tipado, MSc
My neuroscience research is focused on perceptual experiences of psychedelics, specifically visual experiences while under DMT.
Zain Gangaram, MSc
My research is multifaceted and is based on an RDoC model for Reactive Aggression (RA).
Hongyu Zhao, MSc
My name is Hongyu, and I am a researcher from China. After completing my undergraduate degree in anesthesiology and obtaining a master's degree in psychiatry from a prestigious medical university in China.
Eline Haijen, MSc
ADHD, Microdosing, Psychedelics
I am a PhD candidate in the Psychopharmacology in Maastricht research group at the Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology at Maastricht University. I am from a little village close to Maastricht.
Dr. Peter van Ruitenbeek
My name is Dr. Peter van Ruitenbeek and I work as an assistant professor. That means I teach and do research at the faculty of psychology and neuroscience.
Psychedelic Research
Me, myself, bye: regional alterations in glutamate and the experience of ego dissolution with psilocybin
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Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on affect and cognitive thinking style and their association with ego dissolution
Ayahuasca, ego dissolution, cognitive
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Mood and cognition after administration of low LSD doses in healthy volunteers: A placebo controlled dose-effect finding study
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Ayahuasca enhances creative divergent thinking while decreasing conventional convergent thinking
creativity, divergent thinking, convergent thinking, Ayahuasca
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Cannabis Research
Cognition and motor control as a function of 9-THC concentration in serum and oral fluid: Limits of impairment
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Cannabis induced increase in striatal glutamate associated with loss of functional corticostriatal connectivity
Cannabis, Glutamate, Functional Connectivity
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Medicinal Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol) impairs on-the-road driving performance of occasional and heavy cannabis users but is not detected in Standard Field Sobriety Tests
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Get in Touch
We are always up for communicating with people that have interesting ideas or questions. If you want to contact our department, please reach out using this form below.