He is among those who are not afraid to ask the most fundamental questions: What is consciousness, and how does the human mind work? Professor Horáček is the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and also heads the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology at the Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University. He works at the intersection of science and clinical practice—as a researcher, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist.
His research focuses on the effects of psychedelic substances and psychiatric medications on the brain. Using brain imaging and other advanced methods, he seeks to better understand conditions such as schizophrenia and severe depression. He studies how consciousness changes and how new scientific insights can be applied in the treatment of depression and existential distress, including among cancer patients receiving palliative care.
He is the author of more than two hundred scientific publications and the editor of several professional books. In 2022, he served as the coordinator for mental health during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union and has received numerous international awards. Above all, however, he is respected for his ability to connect cutting-edge research with meaningful, real-world help for people.
