Founded in 2022 by Dr Grace Blest-Hopley, Hystelica conducts ground-breaking research, advocates for change in medical research, and delivers education on the effects of psychedelics on female biology.

As a research-oriented organization, we partner with academic institutions to run clinical and observational trials that advance women’s health and well-being.

By collecting female-specific data points, we strive to demonstrate how psychedelic substances uniquely impact the bodies of women or how female biology may be affecting their experiences with psychedelics.

Our Team

Hystelica is made up of a team of international women devoted to closing the gap in women’s health research. With a particular focus on neuroscience and female biology,  we are the only team focused exclusively on understanding and psychedelic assisted outcomes and women’s health.

FOUNDING TEAM

DR GRACE BLEST-HOPLEY
DR GRACE BLEST-HOPLEYFounder & CEO
Fuelled by a lack of female-specific medical research and an interest in women’s psychedelic use, Grace founded Hystelica to provide reliable and reproducible research about psychedelic use across clinical, recreational, and naturalistic settings.
DR ZAHRIA COHEN
DR ZAHRIA COHENDirector of Research
Zahira oversees Hystelica’s clinical research programs. Zahira is also a postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge and clinical research fellow at Imperial College London. Her research focuses on female-specific psycho-neuro-biology and psychedelic assisted therapies.

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

HARRIET LOCKWOOD
HARRIET LOCKWOODResearch Lead
As a Research Lead with Hystelica, Hattie is exploring female experiences with psychedelics in retreat settings and the relationships between the menstrual cycle and psychedelic response.
INGEBORG LYKKE MONSEN
INGEBORG LYKKE MONSENMenopause Research Lead
As a Research Lead with Hystelica, Ingeborg’s research with Hystelica focuses on the impacts of psychedelic therapy on menopause.
LANA PORTER
LANA PORTEREducation & Events
With a background in neuroscience and educational facilitation, Lana is responsible for the development of Hystelica’s educational programs and community events.

RESEARCH CONTRIBUTORS

Dr Lindsey Block
Dr Lindsey BlockRESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Lindsey’s expertise on sex-based bias informs Hystelica’s research on the use of psychedelics in clinical trials. Lindsey is also widely published on psychopharmacology.
Aline Frick
Aline FrickRESEARCH ASSOCIATE
Aline’s research focuses on the interaction between the hormonal cycle and psychedelic research, specifically the benefit presented by psychedelics for female-specific conditions.

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

Dr Beatrice Dal Biano
Dr Beatrice Dal BianoRESEARCH ASSISTANT
Beatrice leverages her training as a medical doctor to create Hystelica’s education-oriented social media content.
Megan Calnan
Megan CalnanRESEARCH ASSISTANT
Megan supports Hystelica’s ongoing research projects, with a particular focus on neuroscience.
Caitlin Rooney
Caitlin RooneyRESEARCH ASSISTANT
Caitlin is studying the Cognitive Neuroscience MRes at UCL. She is interested in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, neuroendocrinology, psychological entrenchment, and lived experience perspectives.

INTERNS

Maryia Hurevich
Maryia HurevichINTERN
Maryia Hurevich is a clinical psychologist in private practice, offering therapeutic support grounded in evidence-based approaches. At Hystelica, she contributes to research and educational content exploring the intersections of psychedelics, mental health, and women’s wellbeing.
Clara Marín Bascuñán
Clara Marín BascuñánINTERN
Clara Marín Bascuñán is a clinical psychologist, excels in research, teaching, and psychotherapy, currently enriching Hystelica’s educational content. Passionate about women’s biology and its link to mental health, she brings expertise and insight to advance women-focused psychedelic research.
Edyta Dlugokecka
Edyta DlugokeckaINTERN
Edyta Dlugokecka, MSc Psychology student and psychedelic advocate, seeks to explore psychedelics’ healing potential for women’s health issues. With a creative background in animation and marketing, she brings unique insights to Hystelica’s pioneering research

Call for Volunteers

Our volunteer recruitment is currently closed. Please check this space
in the future for updated opportunities.

Want to Collaborate with Hystelica?

Please reach out for media commentary, speaking opportunities, event attendance, and research collaborations.