DC5 – Psychedelics, attachment-related changes, and mental health outcomes
Doctoral Candidate DC5: Lasse Damgaard | SU Description This doctoral project will investigate how psychedelic experiences may facilitate attachment-related psychological changes and their relationship to mental health outcomes. The doctoral candidate will contribute to two complementary studies: a non-clinical investigation of Swedish psychedelic retreat participants and a clinical trial examining psilocybin-assisted treatment for depression in […]
DC6 – Sex/gender differences in psychedelics psychopharmacology
Doctoral Candidate DC6: Kian Stenbolt | NKUA Description Depression and anxiety disorders are more common in women than men, and many women also suffer from hormone-related conditions such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum depression, and perimenopausal disturbances. Sex and gender differences in treatment response have been identified, yet no guidelines exist for sex- or gender-oriented […]
DC4 – Mapping the subjective phenomenology of therapeutic and challenging experiences in psychedelic therapy
Doctoral Candidate DC4: Holly Hepburn | UMCG Description While seemingly rare, sustained difficulties after psychedelic therapy do occur and may have a large negative impact on an individual’s wellbeing. Due to limitations in our understanding and assessment of adverse events, they are likely underreported in current literature. Systematic long-term monitoring and post-trial care are needed […]
DC3 – Identification of EEG and fMRI biomarkers with potential predictive value for psychedelics’ antidepressant effects
Doctoral Candidate DC3: Marcelo Tisoc Mora | NIMH Description Psychedelics have emerged as promising candidates for treating psychiatric disorders, particularly treatment-resistant depression. Recent clinical trials have shifted focus toward identifying biomarkers that elucidate the neurobiology of these substances and their sustained positive effects on mood. Given the rapid onset of psychedelic action, identifying baseline biomarkers […]
DC 2 – The effect of psychedelic substances on synaptic transmission and plasticity
Doctoral Candidate DC2: Max Neuhaus | UU Description A common factor of most antidepressant substances is the enhancement of BDNF synthesis and synaptic plasticity, suggested to be instrumental for the antidepressant effect. Psychedelic drugs seem to be particularly potent in enhancing synaptic plasticity, and the effect appears to be long-lasting. In this project we will […]
DC1 – The antidepressant efficacy of psilocybin from a pathophysiological perspective
Doctoral Candidate DC1: Nina Boulens | UMCG Description The pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by the loss of synaptic connections in cortical and limbic regions involved in mood regulation. Volumetric reductions in these brain structures have been associated with a more persistent clinical course, including treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Psilocybin has been introduced […]