Personal profile
Biography
Paul is Head of the Clinical Psychedelic Lab, and Senior Research Fellow within the Dept of Psychiatry at Monash University. He has played a central role in establishing the field of clinical psychedelic research in Australia, has led several world-first studies, is the Principal Investigator on a program of psychedelic trials, and is the Director of the Monash Psychedelic Education Program. Liknaitzky leads the country’s largest and most experienced group of psychedelic researchers and clinicians, and collaborates with numerous psychedelic groups nationally and internationally. Liknaitzky’s work is focused on investigating novel applications for psychedelic therapies, translating evidence into best clinical practice, exploring under-examined risks, delivering next-generation therapist training, and improving access and affordability.
Education/Academic qualification
Neuroscience, BSc (Hons), In pursuit of the engram: methodology optimization and brain analysis using fear conditioning in FTL mice, University of Melbourne
Psychological Sciences, PhD, The Hyper-ordinary Depression Hypothesis and mechanisms of cognitive rigidity in depression, University of Melbourne
Neuroscience, BSc, Majors in Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Western Australia
External positions
Honorary Research Fellow, Swinburne University of Technology
Honorary Research Fellow, University of Melbourne
Research area keywords
- Psychedelic medicine
- Mood Disorders
- Addiction
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Depressive cognition
- Transdiagnostic mechanisms of psychopathology
- psychedelics
- psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
- psilocybin
- mdma
- dmt
- 5meo-dmt
- therapist training
- hallucinogens
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Psilocybin-ASsisted Therapy for Persisting Post-Concussion Symptoms (PAST-PPCS)
O'Brien, T. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Sundram, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Caeyenberghs, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Shultz, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Liknaitzky, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Makovec Knight, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Fuller Symons, G. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Chen, Z. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Byrnes, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Barlow, K. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Fuller, N. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Gibbons, A. (Associate Investigator (AI))
1/06/25 → 31/05/30
Project: Research
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Psychedelic-assisted therapy for the prevention of Intimate Partner Violence
Liknaitzky, P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Fahour, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sundram, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Fitz-Gibbon, K. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/05/25 → 31/10/28
Project: Research
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Psychedelic-Enhanced Approaches to social Cohesion and Engagement
Liknaitzky, P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
10/01/25 → 31/12/27
Project: Research
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MMP-1: An open-label safety and efficacy trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for severe PTSD
Liknaitzky, P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Sundram, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Yucel, M. (Chief Investigator (CI))
6/04/23 → 1/06/26
Project: Research
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A randomised, double-blind, controlled trial of MDMA-assisted exposure therapy for alcohol use disorder and comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder
Morley, K. C. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Mills, K. L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Haber, P. S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Lubman, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Teesson, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Arunogiri, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Baillie, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Lee, Y. Y. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Morse, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Back, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Liknaitzky, P. (Associate Investigator (AI))
1/01/22 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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Australian psychologists' attitudes towards psychedelic-assisted therapy and training following a world-first drug down-scheduling
Negrine, J. J., Puljević, C., Ferris, J., Liknaitzky, P., Perlman, C. & Piatkowski, T., Jan 2025, In: Drug and Alcohol Review. 44, 1, p. 336-346 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
7 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Exploring psychedelic experiences among people who regularly use methamphetamine: Findings from an international survey
Bahceci, D., Siefried, K., Steele, M., Harrod, M., Bell, G., Barratt, M. J., Nicholas, C. R., Rodgers, A., Hendricks, P. S., Stauffer, C. S., Liknaitzky, P. & Brett, J., 1 Jul 2025, In: Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 272, 10 p., 112699.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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Insights on psychedelics: A systematic review of therapeutic effects
Kugel, J., Laukkonen, R. E., Yaden, D. B., Yücel, M. & Liknaitzky, P., Jun 2025, In: Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 173, 17 p., 106117.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access9 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
The ethical use of therapeutic touch in psychedelic-assisted therapy: a qualitative study of researcher perspectives and experiences
McHerron, D., Barber, M., Ham, R., Liknaitzky, P., Carter, A. & Gardner, J., 2025, In: Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. 15, p. 1-20 20 p., 20451253251377191.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Is microdosing a placebo? A rapid review of low-dose LSD and psilocybin research
Polito, V. & Liknaitzky, P., Aug 2024, In: Journal of Psychopharmacology. 38, 8, p. 701-711 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access15 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
Press/Media
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Psychedelic therapies for mental illness draw closer
8/12/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
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Preparing for psychedelic therapies in Australia
5/11/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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Can psychedelics help treat anxiety?
19/08/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs, Podcasts and Social Media › Podcasts
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Inside the underground world of psychedelic therapy and the controversial charity pushing hard to bring the treatment into the mainstream.
25/07/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities