Her research interests lie in the pharmacology of psychoactive substances, in particular psychedelics. She conducted several Phase I studies investigating the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of LSD and established a dose-effect relationship in doses from 5-200 µg. She described the distinct acute pharmacological effects of LSD, MDMA and d-amphetamine and compared the characteristics of oral LSD and psilocybin administration in healthy participants. In this function, she has accompanied over 200 psychedelic experiences.
From 2017 to 2021, Dr. Peter Gasser and a team of therapists conducted a phase II trial in collaboration with Prof. M. Liechti’s research group at the University Hospital of Basel where Dr. Holze was responsible for regulatory and academic aspects of the study. The study investigated LSD-assisted therapy in patients suffering from anxiety symptoms in severe somatic diseases or in psychiatric anxiety disorders. The team used a double-blind, randomised, 2-period, cross-over design in 40 patients employing well-validated and internationally established questionnaires and tools. This is currently the largest study investigating LSD as therapy in recent times, and it is an outstanding example of successful research collaboration between university know-how and private practice hands-on psychiatric research.
Dea S. Stenbæk has been awarded a prestigious Sapere Aude Starting Grant, worth 4.431.907 DKK, from the Independent Research Fund Denmark (IFRD) for her 4-year project "Unlocking the doors of perception: Impact of music on acute and lasting effects of psilocybin in depressed patients". We congratulate Dea with the highly prestigious grant and look very much forward to hosting her project at NRU!
