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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Natasha Mason and Zeus Tipado will be presenting at ICPR 2024 in Haarlem, Netherlands this June!
Maastricht Psychedelic Symposium
On May 24, the Maastricht Psychedelic Research Team will organize a mini-symposium on psychedelics. We will welcome two international speakers: Prof. dos Santos and Prof. Bouso from Brazil and Spain to discuss their ayahuasca and ibogaine research. We also have several internal speakers: presenting on mystical vs. autobiographical psychedelic experiences (Dr Kangaslampi), microdosing (Ms. Haijen), and 5-MeO-DMT (Mr. Reckweg). All students and staff with an interest in this topic are welcome to join us in the Maastrichtzaal in UNS40 between 13:30-15:30.
If you can’t make it, a live stream will be available at the link below!
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.
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Our Scientists
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.
Giordano Rossi, MSc
Ayahuasca, Esketamine, Depression
We are also evaluating subjective effects, safety, tolerability, and possible changes in personality, social cognition 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...
Henry Whitfeld, MSc
Psilocybin, Psychotherapy, Ideography
After being a psychological therapist with 20years experience in trauma work and mindfulness-informed approaches, I am now a researcher investigating how psychedelic experiences and psychotherapeutic protocols interact.
Mauro Cavarra, MSc
Psychosomatics, Chronic Pain, Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
I am a psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and clinical trainer interested in understanding the connection between mind and body. At the Department I work in research projects that explore the potential of psychedelic therapies in the treatment...
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.
Dr. C. Rob Markus
I became an expert on the relation between stress, brain (gene) vulnerability and the development of cognitive-affective complaints/disorders as well as in testing (claims about) dietary treatment/assessment methods.
Dr. Kim Kuypers
Microdosing, Cognition, Nutrition
My research focuses on the neurobiology of flexible cognition, empathy, and well-being.
Katharina Lege, MSc
Cannabinoids, Neuroimaging, Consciousness
Coming from a background of psychology and clinical neuroscience, I developed a strong interest in altered states of the mind as in mediation or yoga practices.
Psychedelic Research
Visual hallucinations originating in the retinofugal pathway under clinical and psychedelic conditions
vision, retinofugal, tripping, hallucinations, visual, Psychedelics
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Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on affect and cognitive thinking style and their association with ego dissolution
ego dissolution, cognitive, Ayahuasca
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Ayahuasca enhances creative divergent thinking while decreasing conventional convergent thinking
creativity, divergent thinking, convergent thinking, Ayahuasca
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Microdosing with psychedelics to self-medicate for ADHD symptoms in adults: A prospective naturalistic study
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Cannabis Research
Intoxication by a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018) causes cognitive and psychomotor impairment in recreational cannabis users
Cognition, Psychomotor, Cannabis
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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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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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Cognition and motor control as a function of 9-THC concentration in serum and oral fluid: Limits of impairment
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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.