Psychedelic experiences
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD, are substances that profoundly affect perception and consciousness. At PRSM lab, we aim to unravel the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the psychedelic experience in humans, using both neuroimaging and cognitive-behavioural tasks with a focus on bodily self-perception.
Research projects
INTEGRATE (MSCA Doctoral Network) — DC10: Methodological challenges in psychedelic research
The PRSM lab hosts one of sixteen doctoral positions in INTEGRATE, a pan-European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network training the next generation of experts in psychedelic therapy, running from 2026 to 2030 across…
Open Psilocybin Project
Using open science practices to assess the effects of psilocybin on the brain, the body and self-perception
Altered states brain dynamics database
In this project, we investigate resting-state fMRI connectivity of different pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically induced altered states of consciousness.
Scale Development
We are actively involved in developing, revising, and translating several psychometric scales.
Studies
Open for participants
Many Analysts Psychedelic Project (MAPP)
Psychedelic experiences are measured with a patchwork of questionnaires — the Mystical Experience Questionnaire, the Challenging Experience Questionnaire, the Ego Dissolution Inventory, the 11-Dimensional Altered States…
Not recruiting
Psychedelic Retreats and the Dynamics of Transformation
In collaboration with retreat centers Eremia , Psytide , and Rejuvyn, this study is exploring the dynamics of personal transformation induced by the naturalistic use of psilocybin-containing truffles in retreat settings.
Not recruiting
The effects of psilocybin on perceptual processing: a 7T fMRI study
In this study we investigate the effects of low to moderate doses of psilocybin on perceptual processing in healthy volunteers. The aim of this project is to unravel the basic neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the…
Not recruiting
Effect of S-Ketamine on Self and Body Perception in Healthy Adults
The aim of this study is to determine how an intravenous infusion of S-ketamine compared to a placebo affects implicit body perception and neural signals to self-related information.
Publications
2023
History repeating: guidelines to address common problems in psychedelic science
van Elk, M., & Fried, E. I. (2023). History repeating: guidelines to address common problems in psychedelic science. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 13, 20451253231198466.
2022
Ayahuasca and Public Health II: Health Status in a Large Sample of Ayahuasca-Ceremony Participants in the Netherlands
Kohek, M., Ona, G., van Elk, M., Dos Santos, R. G., Hallak, J. E., Alcázar-Córcoles, M. Á., & Bouso, J. C. (2022). Ayahuasca and public health II: Health status in a large sample of ayahuasca-ceremony participants in the Netherlands. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1–12.
2022
Future Directions for Clinical Psychedelic Research: The Relaxed Symptom Network
Lewis-Healey, E., Laukkonen, R., & van Elk, M. (2022). Future directions for clinical psilocybin research: The relaxed symptom network. Psychology and Neuroscience, 15(3), 223–235.
2022
Pharmacological, Neural, and Psychological Mechanisms underlying Psychedelics: A Critical Review
van Elk, M. & Yaden, D.B. (2022). Pharmacological, Neural, and Psychological Mechanisms underlying Psychedelics: A Critical Review. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews.
2022
Psilocybin microdosing does not affect emotion-related symptoms and processing: A preregistered field and lab-based study
Marschall, J., Fejer, G., Lempe, P., Prochazkova, L., Kuchar, M., Hajkova, K., & van Elk, M. (2022). Psilocybin microdosing does not affect emotion-related symptoms and processing: A preregistered field and lab-based study. Journal of psychopharmacology, 36(1), 97–113. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811211050556
2021
Effects of psilocybin microdosing on awe and aesthetic experiences: a preregistered field and lab-based study
van Elk, M., Fejer, G., Lempe, P., Prochazckova, L., Kuchar, M., Hajkova, K., & Marschall, J. (2021). Effects of psilocybin microdosing on awe and aesthetic experiences: a preregistered field and lab-based study. Psychopharmacology, 1-16.
2021
Working with Weirdness: a response to ‘Moving Past Mysticism in Psychedelic Science’
Breeksema, J. & van Elk, M., (2021). Working with Weirdness: a response to ‘Moving Past Mysticism in Psychedelic Science’. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science.
2020
Broadening Your Mind to Include Others-The relationship between serotonergic psychedelic experiences and maladaptive narcissism
van Mullukom, V., Patterson, R. & van Elk, M. (2020). Broadening Your Mind to Include Others-The relationship between serotonergic psychedelic experiences and maladaptive narcissism. Psychopharmacology
In the media
Apr 2021