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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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.
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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
Melissa Vazquez Ruiz, MSc
Psychedelics, Cognition, alcohol
My research investigates how psychoactive substances, such as psychedelics influence cognition and emotion in legal contexts.
Dr. Kim Kuypers
Microdosing, Cognition, Nutrition
My research focuses on the neurobiology of flexible cognition, empathy, and well-being.
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.
Sarah Roche, MSc
Environment, Psilocybin, Sustainability
My PhD research focuses on psychedelic drugs as a tool to investigate the cognitive mechanisms underlying changes in sustainable behavior.
Zeus Tipado, MSc
My neuroscience research is focused on perceptual experiences of psychedelics, specifically visual experiences while under DMT.
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.
Janine Kox, MSc
Psychedelics, Stress Resilience, 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.
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...
Dr. Eef Theunissen
Synthetic Cannabinoids, Drugs and Driving, Cognition
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...
Psychedelic Research
The use patterns of novel psychedelics: experiential fingerprints of substituted phenethylamines, tryptamines and lysergamides
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Microdosing psychedelics: More questions than answers? An overview and suggestions for future research
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Spontaneous and deliberate creative cognition during and after psilocybin exposure
Cognition, creativity, Psilocybin
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Ritualistic use of ayahuasca enhances a shared functional connectome identity with others
Functional Connectivity, Ayahuasca, Ritual
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Cannabis Research
Cannabis induced increase in striatal glutamate associated with loss of functional corticostriatal connectivity
Glutamate, Functional Connectivity, Cannabis
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Comparison of Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetic Properties in Occasional and Heavy Users Smoking a Marijuana or Placebo Joint
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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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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.