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Our research seeks to advance neuropsychopharmacology by moving beyond traditional symptom- and substitution-oriented treatments. Instead, we focus on developing process-oriented frameworks that directly target transdiagnostic psychological and biological mechanisms underlying mental health conditions. Psychedelic medicines, when used in supportive therapeutic settings, have been shown to promote brain plasticity and catalyze transformative experiences, resulting in rapid and lasting symptom reductions. These findings guide our iterative research and development program, pursued in collaboration with the UZH spin-off Reconnect Labs and the Swiss-based non-profit organization Reconnect Foundation.
Our studies investigate the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of psychedelics, leveraging state-of-the-art methodologies. While ketamine and psilocybin remain well-researched, we focus on novel DMT-based ayahuasca analogues and 5-MeO-DMT formulations, which show promise for their antidepressant, anxiolytic, anti-addictive, and pain-modulating properties.
Using advanced neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, EEG, PET, fNIRS) and molecular biomarkers, we explore how psychedelics modulate brain networks and receptor systems during altered states of consciousness. Recent research incorporates VR-based interventions to investigate embodied aspects of pain perception under the influence of psychedelics. Additionally, we employ qualitative methods, including Natural Language Processing, to analyze the phenomenology of altered states induced by psychedelics and meditation, with a particular focus on transformative experiences and their therapeutic mechanisms.
Our therapy development research focuses on advancing personalized, transdiagnostic, and modular approaches to psychotherapy. For clinical trials with psychedelics, we are designing and evaluating process-based treatment manuals optimized for scalable group settings. Our approach integrates tailored psychedelic interventions as pharmacological augmentation of transdiagnostic, process-oriented psychotherapies, targeting conditions such as addiction, anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. In collaboration with Reconnect Labs, we are contributing to the development of a digital precision psychiatry platform, leveraging biological and psychological markers to stratify patients and predict therapeutic responses to psychedelic treatments.
Psychedelics
Ayahuasca & DMT
5-MeO-DMT
Clinical Trials
Psychotherapy Research
Drug Development
Brain Imaging
Virtual Reality
Biomarkers
Substance Use Disorders
Affective and Anxiety Disorders
Stress-related Disorders
Chronic Pain
Consciousness Research
Mindfulness
Phenomenology
Natural Language Processing
Psychedelics
Experimental Treatments
Psychotherapy Research
