Dr. Lilian Kloft-Heller (née Kloft)
Psychopharmacology · Forensic Psychology · Expert Consulting
About
Research at the Intersection of Drugs, Memory & the Law
I am an Assistant Professor at Maastricht University, working at the intersection of forensic psychology and psychopharmacology. My research investigates how psychoactive substances — including cannabis, MDMA, benzodiazepines, ayahuasca, and psilocybin — affect memory processes, with a focus on false memory formation and its implications for eyewitness testimony and criminal investigations.
I completed my Bachelor's in Psychology at the University of Groningen before moving to Maastricht for a Master's in Forensic Psychology, where I met my PhD supervisors Prof. Henry Otgaar, Prof. Jan Ramaekers, and Prof. Arjan Blokland. I defended my doctoral thesis Cum Laude — one of only 5% of PhD candidates in the Netherlands to receive this distinction, making me a triple Cum Laude awardee across my bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
After my PhD, I was awarded a prestigious Rubicon grant by NWO to conduct postdoctoral research at the University of Bonn, investigating benzodiazepine effects on memory for virtual reality crime scenarios using eye-tracking measures. I returned to Maastricht University as an Assistant Professor, where I continue to bridge the gap between psychopharmacology and legal psychology.
Affiliations
- Maastricht University — Dept. of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Section Psychopharmacology
- Section Forensic Psychology — Maastricht University
- CELL — Forensic Psychology Lab (KU Leuven)
Highlights
- Triple Cum Laude — Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Degree
- Rubicon Postdoctoral Grant (NWO)
- PNAS publication — Cannabis & False Memory (2020)
- 23 peer-reviewed publications · 600+ Google Scholar citations
- 45 international media appearances (CNN, National Geographic, Daily Mail, WebMD)
- Postdoctoral researcher, University of Bonn
Substance Effects on Memory
Researching how recreational and medical substances such as cannabis, alcohol, benzodiazepines, MDMA, and psychedelics affect memory for events.
Validity of Eyewitness Testimony
Testing how intoxication affects witness recall, false memories, suggestibility, and eyewitness identification.
Expert Witness Work
Translating drug and memory science into the courtroom, I work on cases involving substance use and memory.
Field Research
Conducting ecologically valid research in real-world settings to study naturalistic substance effects.
Expert Witness & Forensic Consulting
Science for the Courtroom
The reliability of witness and victim statements given under the influence of psychoactive substances is one of the most consequential and least understood questions in forensic practice. I translate peer-reviewed research on drugs, memory, and false-memory formation directly into expert opinion — grounding legal proceedings in the best available science.
Written Expert Reports
Assessing how intoxication or substance use may have affected memory, perception, or statement reliability in a specific case — delivered as a written scientific opinion for use in legal proceedings.
Courtroom Expert Testimony
Presenting and explaining the scientific evidence on drug effects and memory reliability to courts and other judicial bodies — in plain language accessible to judges and counsel. In-person testimony is available in the Netherlands, Germany, and English-language proceedings across the EU.
Pre-Trial & Legal Consulting
Advising legal teams at the preparation stage: case assessment, targeted literature reviews, critical evaluation of opposing expert opinions, and framing scientifically sound questions for examination.
Corporate & Policy Consulting
Advising organisations, insurers, regulatory bodies, and policymakers on the scientific evidence relating to drug use, impairment, memory reliability, and associated forensic risk.
Research Output
Publications
Cannabis intoxication does not impair eyewitness recall with the Sketch Cognitive Interview but increases confidence in lineup errors
Kloft-Heller L, Junk A, Dando CJ, Sauerland M, Otgaar H, Ramaekers JG
False memories in the field: Impact of substance intoxication and sleep restriction on false memory formation
Kloft L, Otgaar H, Blokland A, van Oorsouw K, Schepers J, Steinmeyer S, Ramaekers JG
Remembering Molly: Immediate and delayed false memory formation after acute MDMA exposure
Kloft L, Otgaar H, Blokland A, Toennes SW, Ramaekers JG
Hazy memories in the courtroom: A review of alcohol and other drug effects on false memory and suggestibility
Kloft L, Monds LA, Blokland A, Ramaekers JG, Otgaar H
Under the Influence: The effects of drugs on false memory formation and implications for forensic practice
Kloft L
Cannabis increases susceptibility to false memory
Kloft L, Otgaar H, Blokland A, Monds LA, Toennes SW, Loftus EF, Ramaekers JG
Global Coverage
In the Media
Research featured in international press across 20 countries
Cannabis increases susceptibility to false memory
Si eres de los que fuman marihuana es probable que tus recuerdos sean falsos
Si eres de los que fuman marihuana es probable que tus recuerdos sean falsos
Si eres de los que fuman marihuana es probable que tus recuerdos sean falsos
Cannabis Could Make Users Prone to False Memories
La marihuana puede llevar a la creación de recuerdos falsos
Cannabis Use Linked To False Memories
Cannabis Use Makes People More Susceptible to False Memories
Científicos revelan que el cannabis crea falsos recuerdos
Você não deveria confiar na sua memória sob efeito da maconha
El consumo de cannabis crea recuerdos falsos
El consumo de cannabis crea recuerdos falsos
Stoned people's memories can be manipulated easier
Kanabisi i bën njerëzit të krijojnë kujtime që nuk ekzistojnë
Cannabis increases susceptibility to false memory
Marijuana Can Create False Memories In Users, Study Finds
El cannabis crea falsos recuerdos
Si tomas cannabis tendrás recuerdos falsos
Cannabis verhoogt gevoeligheid voor valse herinneringen
Cannabis maakt je gevoeliger voor valse herinneringen
Cannabis maakt je gevoeliger voor valse herinneringen
Don't trust your memories if you're high on weed, study says
Don't trust your memories if you're high on weed, study says
Don't trust your memories if you're high on weed, study says
Cannabis may prompt the brain to create false memories
No confíes en tus recuerdos si estás drogado con marihuana
Cannabis maakt je gevoeliger voor valse herinneringen
Joint zorgt vaker voor valse herinnering
Cannabis verhoogt gevoeligheid voor valse herinneringen
Se tiver consumido cannabis não confie nas suas memórias
Don't trust your memories if you're high on weed, study says
Don't trust your memories if you're high on weed, study says
Cannabis increases susceptibility to false memory
Collaborate
Let’s Work Together
I am always looking for opportunities to collaborate with researchers, legal professionals, and policymakers who share an interest in the intersection of drugs, memory, and the law.
Joint research projects
Expert witness & consulting
Speaking & workshops
Contact
Get in Touch
Whether you have a question about my research, want to collaborate, or need expert consultation — I’d love to hear from you.
Office
Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience
Maastricht University
Maastricht, The Netherlands
Use the form above to get in touch.