Research

Our research advances neuropsychopharmacology beyond symptom-focused and substitution-based treatment models. We develop process-oriented frameworks that target transdiagnostic psychological and biological mechanisms underlying mental health conditions.

Psychedelic medicines, when administered in supportive therapeutic contexts, can promote neural plasticity and catalyze transformative subjective experiences, often resulting in rapid and enduring clinical effects. These observations guide our iterative research program, conducted in close collaboration with the UZH spin-off Reconnect Labs and the Swiss non-profit Reconnect Foundation.

We investigate the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of psychedelics using state-of-the-art experimental and clinical methodologies. While ketamine and psilocybin remain important reference compounds, our primary focus lies on novel DMT-based ayahuasca analogues and 5-MeO-DMT formulations with potential antidepressant, anxiolytic, anti-addictive, and pain-modulating effects.

Using multimodal neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG, PET, fNIRS), molecular biomarkers, and psychophysiological measures, we examine how psychedelics modulate brain networks, receptor systems, and embodied states of consciousness. Recent projects integrate virtual reality paradigms to study embodiment and pain perception under psychedelic modulation. Qualitative and computational approaches—including Natural Language Processing (NLP)—are applied to characterize the phenomenology of altered states induced by psychedelics and meditation, with a focus on transformative experiences and their therapeutic relevance.

Our psychotherapy research focuses on the development of personalized, transdiagnostic, and modular treatment approaches that can be integrated with psychedelic interventions. For clinical trials, we design and evaluate process-based treatment manuals optimized for scalable group formats.

Psychedelics are conceptualized as pharmacological augmenters of psychotherapy, enhancing learning, emotional processing, and psychological flexibility within structured therapeutic frameworks. Target indications include substance use disorders, affective and anxiety disorders, stress-related conditions, and chronic pain. In collaboration with Reconnect Labs, we contribute to the development of digital precision psychiatry tools that integrate biological, behavioral, and experiential markers to support patient stratification and outcome prediction.

Psychedelics
DMT based formulations
Psilocybin

Clinical Trials
Psychotherapy Research
Drug Development

Brain Imaging
Virtual Reality
Biomarkers

Substance Use Disorders
Anxiety & Stress-related Disorders
Chronic Pain

Consciousness Research
Mindfulness
Phenomenology & NLP

Psychedelics
Experimental Treatments
Psychotherapy Research

• INTEGRATE - Interdisciplinary Network for Training, Education, and Growing Research into Applications of and Therapeutic Expertise around Psychedelics (EU HORIZON-MSCA, 2026-2028
• Virtual Reality and Psychoplastogens: A synergistic approach for the treatment of chronic pain (SNF Sinergia, 2024-2028)
• Development and Implementation of Digital Strategies for Clinical Trials in Psychedelic Research (DSI Excellence PhD Fellowship, 2023-2026)
• Molecular imaging study of DMT and harmine: a basic research approach (SNF project in collaboration with Prof. Paul Cumming, University Hospital of Bern, 2021-2026)