Matthias Emanuel Liechti MD, MAS

Matthias Liechti is a professor for clinical pharmacology and internal medicine the University Hospital Basel. With his psychopharmacology research group at the Departments of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, Matthias Liechti investigates the pharmacology of psychoactive substances both in vitro and in humans. The group is best known for the work on the acute effects of MDMA (ecstasy) and LSD in humans. The team characterizes the pharmacology of the constantly emerging novel psychoactive substances (designer drugs) using in vitro methods. In experimental clinical studies Matthias Liechti described the acute effects of MDMA, LSD, and psychostimulants (methylphenidate, d-amphetamine, neuroenhancers) on social cognition (mood recognition, empathy, prosocial behaviour, sexual arousal). The team also conducts Pharmaco-fMRI studies in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry.