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
Zain Gangaram, MSc
My research is multifaceted and is based on an RDoC model for Reactive Aggression (RA).
Dr. Kim Kuypers
Cognition, Nutrition, Microdosing
My research focuses on the neurobiology of flexible cognition, empathy, and well-being.
Johannes Reckweg, MSc
5-MeO-DMT, Neuropsychopharmacology, Therapy
I am Johannes, a PhD candidate from Germany. After receiving my Bachelor’s degree from the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, I came to Maastricht for my Master in Neuropsychology.
Prof. Jan Ramaekers
I work as a professor in psychopharmacology at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. My research combines methods from psychopharmacology, forensic toxicology and cognitive neuroscience to determine drug induced changes in human performance.
Janine Kox, MSc
Stress Resilience, Psychedelics, Cognitive biases
My research focuses on the effects of stress, sleep deprivation, on cognitive biases, by using the transdiagnostic rDOC approach, and see whether psychedelics such as LSD, Psilocybin and even non-hallucinogenic psychedelics can reverse these effects.
Aedan O’Shea, MSc
I have a long standing interest in unravelling the therapeutic mechanisms of Psychedelics, and in this project I will investigate the effect of Psychedelic drug exposure in humans on miRNA’s transported in neuron-derived Extracellular Vesicles...
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.
Dr. Malin Vedøy Uthaug
Ayahuasca, 5-MeO-DMT, Consciousness
I am an altered states of consciousness researcher from Norway and one of the world leading experts on 5-MeO-DMT.
Dr. Pim Heckman
Memory recovery, Sleep loss, Neuroplasticity
My academic training and research experience have provided me with an excellent background in multiple psychological disciplines including neurobiology, neuropsychology, and neuropsychopharmacology.
Psychedelic Research
Improving cognitive functioning in major depressive disorder with psychedelics: A dimensional approach
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Trait mindfulness and personality characteristics in a microdosing ADHD sample: a naturalistic prospective survey study
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Microdosing psychedelics: More questions than answers? An overview and suggestions for future research
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Ritualistic use of ayahuasca enhances a shared functional connectome identity with others
Ayahuasca, Ritual, Functional Connectivity
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Visual hallucinations originating in the retinofugal pathway under clinical and psychedelic conditions
hallucinations, visual, Psychedelics, vision, retinofugal, tripping
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Cannabis Research
Intoxication by a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018) causes cognitive and psychomotor impairment in recreational cannabis users
Cannabis, Cognition, Psychomotor
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Cannabis induced increase in striatal glutamate associated with loss of functional corticostriatal connectivity
Glutamate, Functional Connectivity, Cannabis
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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.