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.
Learn More
Mind Altering Conversations with Mauro Cavara, featuring Steven Fülle
Check out the FIRST episode of our podcast series, MIND ALTERING CONVERSATIONS! In this series, psychedelic science student Steven Fülle talks to Dr. Mauro Cavara about his research into psilocybin being used for pain management in fibromyalgia.
Watch it here!
Congratulations to the NEW Dr. Eline C. H. M. Haijen!
After successfully defending her PhD thesis entitled: “Exploring the Adult ADHD Treatment Landscape: From Current Practices to Psychedelic Microdosing and Novel Screening Approaches.” In her thesis, she looks at novel approaches of treating ADHD with LSD microdosing.
Watch the defense here!Congratulations to the NEW Dr. Elisabeth Prevete!
On successfully defending her PhD thesis ‘Mental Effects and Potential Therapeutic Use of Kratom/Mitragynine!’ This project was a joint venture between Maastricht University and Sapienza University of Rome. This is Elisabeth’s SECOND doctorate, she now holds an MD and a PhD! Congrats once again Elisbath on a great accomplishment!
Watch the defense here!
Meet our Department!
The scientists in our lab come from many countries and backgrounds, all with highly unique research abilities. Come meet the people that make up the Psychopharmacology Department.
Learn MoreParticipate 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. 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.
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.
Janine Kox, MSc
Psychedelics, Cognitive biases, Stress Resilience
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.
Simon Neugebauer, MSc
Affective Bias, Psychedelics, Plasticity
I specifically investigate how psychedelics can be used to pharmacologically probe and treat a negative affect biotype, that characterizes many emotional disorders.
Dr. Mauro Cavarra
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
Consciousness, Cannabinoids, Neuroimaging
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.
Melissa Vazquez Ruiz, MSc
alcohol, Psychedelics, Cognition
My research investigates how psychoactive substances, such as psychedelics influence cognition and emotion in legal contexts.
Dr. Johannes Reckweg
Therapy, 5-MeO-DMT, Neuropsychopharmacology
I am Johannes, a PhD from Germany. After receiving my Bachelor’s degree from the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, I came to Maastricht for my Master in Neuropsychology.
Psychedelic Research
A single inhalation of vapor from dried toad secretion containing 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a naturalistic setting is related to sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life
naturalistic, psychopathological, 5-MeO-DMT
→
Psilocybin induces acute and persisting alterations in immune status and the stress response in healthy volunteers
→
The use patterns of novel psychedelics: experiential fingerprints of substituted phenethylamines, tryptamines and lysergamides
→
Microdosing with psychedelics to self-medicate for ADHD symptoms in adults: A prospective naturalistic study
→
Cannabis Research
Intoxication by a synthetic cannabinoid (JWH-018) causes cognitive and psychomotor impairment in recreational cannabis users
Cognition, Psychomotor, Cannabis
→
Cannabis induced increase in striatal glutamate associated with loss of functional corticostriatal connectivity
Glutamate, Functional Connectivity, Cannabis
→
Rivastigmine but not vardenafil reverses cannabis-induced impairment of verbal memory in healthy humans
→
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.