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
Prof. Arjan Blokland
Cognition, Learning & Memory, Acetylcholine
I studied Psychology at the Radboud University (Nijmegen, NL). After receiving my PhD in Maastricht in 1992, I did a post doc at the University of Cambridge in 1992.
Dr. Natasha Mason
Psychedelics, Neuroadaptations, Plasticity
My research is driven by my desire to find effective treatments for psychiatric disorders, particularly anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
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...
Iva Totomanova, MSc
My primary research interest lies in exploring the potential of psychedelics to be used as novel treatment options for a range of psychiatric disorders.
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.
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. Lilian Kloft
Cognition, Drugs, False Memory
I am a postdoctoral researcher in the fields of psychopharmacology and forensic psychology with an international education from various high-class universities.
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.
Psychedelic Research
The use patterns of novel psychedelics: experiential fingerprints of substituted phenethylamines, tryptamines and lysergamides
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Visual hallucinations originating in the retinofugal pathway under clinical and psychedelic conditions
Psychedelics, vision, retinofugal, tripping, hallucinations, visual
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Ritualistic use of ayahuasca enhances a shared functional connectome identity with others
Functional Connectivity, Ayahuasca, Ritual
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Me, myself, bye: regional alterations in glutamate and the experience of ego dissolution with psilocybin
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Cannabis Research
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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Comparison of Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetic Properties in Occasional and Heavy Users Smoking a Marijuana or Placebo Joint
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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.