Neuroscience Section

Mission

The goal of the neuroscience section is to promote scientific research related to the psychedelic experience together with professionals and students from the neuroscience field by reviewing articles, raising research questions, and envisioning related literature reviewing  projects that would fit in a transdisciplinary model.

This section is also meant to promote professional collaborations and student mentorship through the availability of an address book and by organizing  regular lab work presentations.  

Upcoming events

Altered States Fest – Zwischen Wissenschaft, Therapie und Selbsterfahrung (DE)

Thursday, 12 June 2025

Open Event

Dr. Prateep Beed

Neuroscience Section Advisor

Dr. Prateep Beed is a neuroscientist and immersive experience designer whose work bridges cutting-edge brain research, multisensory environments, and public mental health innovation. Trained at Charité (Universitätsmedizin Berlin) and affiliated with the Berlin Institute of Health, Dr. Beed has led research on excitatory - inhibitory balance in cortical networks, with a particular focus on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Beyond the lab, he is known for pioneering work that makes neuroscience tangible and emotionally resonant - founding Immersia Labs to explore how multisensory virtual reality can foster emotional resilience, introspection, and stress regulation. He is also a recognized public science communicator, contributing to international forums like Berlin Science Week and the Falling Walls Lab.

With deep expertise in both basic neuroscience and applied neurotechnology, Dr. Beed brings a visionary and rigorously evidence-based approach to leading the MIND Foundation’s Neuroscience Section.

Speakers

Polina Bedrina is currently working at the University of Duisburg-Essen as a research associate and teaches at the Chair of Developmental Psychology. Polina was born in Moscow, Russia, and emigrated to Germany with her family at the age of 14. She studied Psychology and Philosophy for her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Dortmund and subsequently completed her Masters of Science degree in Psychology at the University of Bonn. Polina has four years of clinical experience working with individuals with mental illnesses and one year as a neuropsychologist in geriatrics. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Her research focuses on the motivation for recreational use of psychedelic substances in young adulthood and its impact on coping with age-related developmental tasks. Additionally, Polina is actively involved in public education and awareness efforts related to psychedelic sciences on a volunteer basis.

Stela Malvasija, M.Sc. cand. is a clinical psychology graduate student and interdisciplinary 
practitioner with a focus on dyadic closeness, psychedelic integration, and transformative 
approaches to mental health. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from FernUniversität 
in Hagen and is currently completing her Master's in Clinical Psychology at Euro-FH. Studying at 
two distance-learning universities has shaped her ability to work independently, think critically, and 
integrate academic knowledge with real-world application.

Her research explores how subjective closeness and perceived partner similarity impact relationship 
satisfaction—particularly through the lens of the Inclusion of Other in the Self (IOS). This interest 
in emotional depth and connection informs her broader inquiry into psychological integration 
during altered states of consciousness, with a particular fascination for the neuroscience of 
psychedelic experiences and their potential to transform relational and emotional processing.

Alongside her studies, she works in frontline youth support—previously in intensive one-on-one 
care for so-called “system crashers” in residential and outpatient settings at Freestyle e.V., and 
currently at a protected crisis shelter for adolescent girls with Wildwasser Berlin. These experiences 
have grounded her academic work in relational complexity, trauma awareness, and the urgent need 
for compassionate, systemic innovation in mental health care.

With a rigorous yet radically human approach, Stela Malvasija brings a trauma-sensitive, 
consciousness-centered perspective to the Neuroscience & Psychology Section of the MIND 
Foundation.

Multisensory Immersive Reality (MIR) Pod

At the intersection of neuroscience, technology, and mental well-being, the MIND Foundation hosts a Multisensory Immersive Reality (MIR) Pod from Immersia Labs. This compact virtual reality environment is designed to support restoration, emotional regulation, and self-exploration through curated, multisensory experiences.

The pod integrates virtual reality, haptic feedback, ambient lighting, soundscapes, and scent modules to evoke emotionally resonant states that can promote relaxation, mindfulness, and cognitive reset. It offers applications for both public engagement (e.g., at workshops and events) and research purposes, such as studying stress response, embodiment, and neurophenomenological aspects of altered states.

The experience is customizable to the user’s intention—whether seeking a moment of calm, a guided meditative journey, or a glimpse into virtual psychedelia. While rooted in experiential wellbeing, the pod also opens a doorway to empirical inquiry into the neuroscience of immersive states.

Sessions are available at MIND’s Berlin office and during selected events. No prior experience with virtual reality is required.

Molecules - Mastering the Science of Psychoactive Substances

The Neuroscience Section of the MIND Foundation developed Molecules as an initiative to translate complex findings from psychedelic neuroscience into accessible and engaging formats. The project presents key concepts, mechanisms, and research questions in a visually intuitive way, making them understandable for both professionals and the wider public. Molecules supports education, dialogue, and informed engagement across disciplines. The program is accredited by the Berlin Chamber of Physicians and offers 35 CME credits, reflecting its high scientific and educational standard. Find more information on the course here.

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