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What is UPRA

The Ukrainian Psychedelic Research Association (UPRA) is a non-profit organisation that promotes the clinical use of psychedelic substances for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder who have not been helped by conventional therapy. Together with our partners, we are working to change the legislative framework, promote expanded access programmes, train healthcare professionals, and support patients and their caregivers.

What drives us

Numerous international studies have proven the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating the most complex cases of PTSD, depression, and addiction. Considering the millions of people who suffer psychologically from war every day, we advocate for the rapid introduction and legislative regulation of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Ukraine. We strive to help veterans, displaced persons, people who have lost loved ones, and many others. We respect the rule of law and work exclusively within the framework of current legislation. We adhere to the principles of ethics, scientific rigour, and evidence-based practice, and rely on objective data. In our activities, we strive for maximum transparency and openness, and we respect the right to privacy and confidentiality of the people who trust us. We advocate for high standards of quality in clinical practice and for thorough professional training of specialists in psychedelic therapy methods.

Who founded UPRA

UPRA was founded by people who came together at the intersection of clinical practice, science, and commercial product development. This means that we take complex, proven information and convey it to people in an accessible, understandable form. To do this, we have accumulated decades of experience in scientific and therapeutic work, as well as experience in creating products that deliver real value.

UPRA Founders


Oleh Orlov

Board member
Candidate of Psychological Sciences, psychologist-psychotherapist, Deputy Director for Scientific and Experimental Work at the M. Yarmachenko Institute of Social and Psychological Psychology of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine

Sasha Astron

Digital product designer, branding specialist, head of product design at Ajax Systems

Vladislav Matrenitsky

Candidate of Medical Sciences, psychotherapist, founder of the Centre for Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Psychedelic Medicine Expio

Anton Mormul

Board member
Specialist in psychedelic-assisted therapy, founder «Fenix Project»

Serhiy Khudoliy

Ph.D, MBA, MHA, narcologist, anaesthesiologist-resuscitator, neurologist, founder of MedicoMente Medical Centre for Modern Addictology

Pavlo Belikov

Strategic Communications and Product Marketing Specialist

Elizabeth Ames

Head of the first group of Peace Corps volunteers in Ukraine, founder of the charity organisation Heal Ukraine Trauma

Artem Lapatanov

Developer of digital products for companies in the fields of pharmacology and retail

Christina Rivera

Public Relations and Advocacy Specialist

Stanislav Gibadulin

Board member
People's Hero of Ukraine, holder of the Order "For Courage"

Tais Poda

Board member
Psychologist-therapist, art critic, candidate of legal sciences in international law

UPRA Board


Yustyna Miskiv

Board member
Program Director

Maryna Mormul

Board member
General Director of LLC «Pharmaceutical company «FarKoS», co-founder of a charitable foundation «Fenixproject.org», co-founder of a research company «Doslid»

Kateryna Piskunova

Board member
Digital Marketing Specialist, Head of Public Education

Inna Krylovetska

Board member
Practical Psychologist, Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist, Head of Continuing Professional Development

Maxim Kirichenko

Board member
Psychologist, lecturer, volunteer

Mykola Zghurskyi

Board member
Information Technology Specialist, Founder and Director CO «CF TECHNO4»

We are always open to dialogue — write to us!