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

Prof. Arjan Blokland

Learning & Memory, Acetylcholine, Cognition

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. Kim Kuypers

Microdosing, Cognition, Nutrition

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

Iva Totomanova, MSc

ADHD, LSD, Microdosing

My primary research interest lies in exploring the potential of psychedelics to be used as novel treatment options for a range of psychiatric disorders.

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. Peter van Ruitenbeek

Dopamine, Neuroimaging

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.

Dr. Lilian Kloft

Drugs, False Memory, Cognition

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

Dr. Malin Vedøy Uthaug

Consciousness, Ayahuasca, 5-MeO-DMT

I am an altered states of consciousness researcher from Norway and one of the world leading experts on 5-MeO-DMT.

Prof. Jan Ramaekers

Drugs, Brain, Behavior

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.

Zeus Tipado, MSc

Perception, DMT, XR/VR

My neuroscience research is focused on perceptual experiences of psychedelics, specifically visual experiences while under DMT.

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