Maria Carmo Carvalho

Maria Carmo Carvalho is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, and a Researcher at the Research Centre for Human Development (CEDH). She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Porto (2015), with a focus on nightlife environments and substance use. Her research spans addictive behaviors, drug policy (including cannabis regulation), psychedelic science (e.g., ayahuasca’s therapeutic potential), and harm reduction in recreational settings. Since 2010, she has coordinated psychological emergency services for drug users in nightlife venues.

Education:

• PhD: Ambientes recreativos nocturnos. As dimensões ambientais e os fenómenos do uso de substâncias psicoactivas, do risco e da proteção (University of Porto, 2015)
• Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology (University of Porto)

Research Interests: Her work addresses the intersection of substance use, public health, and policy. Key areas include:

• Regulation of adult-use cannabis
• Psychedelic science (ceremonial and therapeutic applications)
• Harm reduction strategies in nightlife environments
• Gender-based violence in recreational spaces
• Psychological crisis intervention for drug users

Grants & Projects:

• SexismFreeNightEU: EU-funded initiative to create safer nightlife environments
• CEDH: Leading human development research center
• COVID-19_PUD&HR: Analyzing pandemic impacts on drug use and harm reduction

Labs/Teams: Research Centre for Human Development (CEDH) at Universidade Católica Portuguesa.