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
hero-decor

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!
img-2-intro
featured study

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!
featured study
img-1-intro

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 More

Participate 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
img-2-intro

Janine Kox, MSc

Stress Resilience, Cognitive biases, Psychedelics

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.

Dr. Lilian Kloft

False Memory, Cognition, Drugs

I am a postdoctoral researcher in the fields of psychopharmacology and forensic psychology with an international education from various high-class universities.

Dr. Kim Kuypers

Microdosing, Cognition, Nutrition

My research focuses on the neurobiology of flexible cognition, empathy, and well-being.

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.

Aedan O’Shea, MSc

Exosomes, miRNA, RDoC

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...

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...

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

Stress, Brain, Behavior

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. Rudy Schreiber

CNS Drug Discovery, Research Domain Criteria

I started my career in central nervous system drug discovery in 1993 and subsequently progressed from bench scientist to senior leadership roles at global pharmaceutical companies

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.

Copyright 2025 © Psychopharmacology Department at Maastricht University, All Rights Reserved