Active Studies

The work of the Center is carried out through clinical trials that investigate causes of substance use disorders and novel treatments. The findings in these studies often affect the way treatment is delivered in actual healthcare environments. Information about the studies currently being conducted may be accessed through the list below. To inquire about participating, please see the list below, organized by category. Use the contact information provided for the study in which you’re interested.

Nicotine Cessation Studies

Behavioral Intervention for Youth to Promote Vaping Cessation

Principal Investigator(s): A. Eden Evins, MD, MPH, and Randi Schuster, PhD

Teen vaping is rising, with nearly 20% of adolescents using nicotine in the past month. This trial will enroll 400 teens who vape weekly and want to quit. Participants will be randomized to a 12-week QuitVaping program with behavioral support or Enhanced Usual Care (EUC), which includes educational materials and a text-based quitting app. The study will measure vaping abstinence at 9–12 weeks and up to 36 weeks. The goal of this trial is to determine if behavioral and digital support can improve quitting rates and address the growing issue of youth nicotine addiction.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Email nhasan1@mgh.harvard.edu or call (617) 643-4838 to see if you are eligible.

Switching Individuals in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Who Smoke Cigarettes to the SREC

Principal Investigator(s): Joanna Streck, Ph.D.

The prevalence of smoking among adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) is six-fold higher than the general population, yet traditional smoking cessation approaches are much less effective in this population. This pilot randomized controlled trial switches 40 individuals in stable recovery from opioid use disorder who smoke cigarettes to e-cigarettes, either immediately or after an 8-week delay period. The goal of this trial is to assess whether using electronic cigarettes can help adults reduce their cigarette smoking and harms from tobacco smoking.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Email csterling-maisel@mgh.harvard.edu or call (617) 643-0949 to see if you are eligible.

Cannabis Studies

Evaluation of Cannabidiol for Reduction of Brain Neuroinflammation

Principal Investigator(s): Jodi Gilman, Ph.D., Marco Loggia, Ph.D.

Treatment for chronic pain is largely ineffective, likely due to a lack of viable targets. Cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), are among the therapeutics attracting attention for their potential pain applications. In this project, we will use PET/MR imaging to image glial activation in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP), and investigate whether CBD, compared to placebo, reduces pain- and depression-related neuroinflammation in cLBP. This will be the first study to test potential effects of CBD on neuroinflammation and striatal physiology in pain patients, and could help reconcile the conflicting findings regarding the efficacy of cannabinoids in pain conditions.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.partners.org/study/cbdpain or call (617) 724-0382 to see if you are eligible.

Evaluation of Medical Cannabis and Prescription Opioid Taper Support for Reduction of Pain and Opioid Dose in Patients with Chronic Non-Cancer Pain

Principal Investigator(s): Jodi Gilman, Ph.D., A. Eden Evins, M.D., MPH

Controversy exists over the risk to benefit ratio of medical marijuana for adults with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) on chronic opioid therapy (COT). The primary goal of this proposal is to assess whether medical marijuana, when added to a behavioral prescription opioid taper support program, improves pain and reduces opioid dose in adults on COT for CNCP more so than the behavioral intervention alone. This information is critical to better inform patients and clinicians about the extent to which medical marijuana use may be beneficial or harmful to this patient population.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.partners.org/study/potsmm or call (617) 643-5039 to see if you are eligible.

Dopamine and Cannabis Consumption: A PET/MRI Imaging Study

Principal Investigator(s): Hsiao-Ying Wey, Ph.D., Jodi Gilman, Ph.D.

A pilot study that aims to observe the effect of cannabis use on the dopamine system. In this single-blind cross-over trial, approximately 30 participants with and without a family history of psychosis who regularly use cannabis will complete PET/MRI scans following the administration of dronabinol (synthetic THC) or placebo before and after a 6-week period of cannabis abstinence.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/do_you_frequently_us or call (617) 726-6039 to see if you are eligible.

School-Based Research

A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Novel Drug Education and Diversion Program for Middle and High School Students

Principal Investigator(s): Randi Schuster, Ph.D.

A randomized controlled trial that aims to evaluate the iDECIDE drug education curriculum, compared to a waitlist control, in 300 middle and high school students who have violated their school substance use policies in the last month. The trial tests the effectiveness of the iDECIDE curriculum on improving substance use outcomes, as an alternative to punitive responses (e.g., suspension) for school substance use policy violations.

Visit the iDECIDE website to learn more, or check out the iDECIDE Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/idecide_labrct or call (617) 643-3574 to see if you are eligible.

Testing Scalable, Broad-Reach School-Based Brief Interventions for Alcohol Use

Principal Investigator(s): Randi Schuster, Ph.D.

Massachusetts is the only state in the country that mandates annual Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) assessments in middle schools and high schools. SBIRT is a tool used to identify adolescents who may be using substances and connect them to support services and resources.

The purpose of this study is to learn how to optimize the delivery of SBIRT in a school-based environment. The study will be evaluating the effectiveness of using a nonclinical Youth Wellness Coach to conduct SBIRT screenings in schools across the state. The Youth Wellness Coaches will have lived experience with substance use conditions and will be representative of the community they are serving. Additionally, the study will be holding interviews with students, school staff, and Youth Wellness Coaches to gain insight into the current SBIRT model and possible areas for change.

Development of a Drug Education Curriculum for Middle and High School Students

Principal Investigator(s): Randi Schuster, Ph.D.

A pilot study that aims to evaluate adolescents’ responses to the iDECIDE drug education curriculum to be used as an alternative for suspension for students with school-based substance use infractions.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/idecidepilot or call (617) 643-4382 to see if you are eligible.

School Screening for Substance Use and Related Risk Factors

Principal Investigator(s): Randi Schuster, Ph.D.

The school-wide assessment is a brief, longitudinal and epidemiological survey of youth substance use and mental health. The survey is administered with partnered middle and high schools across the state of Massachusetts each year. With the creation of a robust linking code we are able to link data across years to allow for the collection of long term survey data. The survey also aids in establishing a school-based recruitment pipeline used for other studies.