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
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
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.
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.
Janine Kox, MSc
Stress Resilience, Psychedelics, 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. 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.
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.
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.
Pablo Mallaroni, MSc
Psychedelics, fMRI/MRS, Idiosyncracy
I am PhD candidate with the Psychopharmacology Unit of Maastricht University with a background in translational neuroscience.
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.
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.
Psychedelic Research
Me, myself, bye: regional alterations in glutamate and the experience of ego dissolution with psilocybin
→
Microdosing psychedelics: More questions than answers? An overview and suggestions for future research
→
Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on affect and cognitive thinking style and their association with ego dissolution
Ayahuasca, ego dissolution, cognitive
→
Cannabis Research
Cannabis induced increase in striatal glutamate associated with loss of functional corticostriatal connectivity
Cannabis, Glutamate, Functional Connectivity
→
Comparison of Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetic Properties in Occasional and Heavy Users Smoking a Marijuana or Placebo Joint
→
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.