Active Studies

Principal Investigator: Jodi Gilman, Ph.D., 2016—2021

Study Reference: 5R01DA042043-05

This study used a randomized controlled trial design to test whether medical marijuana patients experience unintended negative consequences from medical marijuana use such as progression to addiction, neurocognitive impairments, and brain-based changes. The resulting data will inform clinicians, scientists, and policymakers about unforeseen effects and potential outcomes of medical marijuana policies.

Principal Investigator: Randi Schuster, Ph.D., 2015—2022

Study Reference: NIH/NIDA 1K23DA042946-02

The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is cognitive dysfunction in adolescent cannabis use that persists in the short term (four days) after use but resolves with extended abstinence (30 days) compared to cannabis users who do not quit and non-using controls, as well as estimate the rate of cognitive improvement with cannabis abstinence as a function of time since last use and concentration of detectable cannabis metabolites in urine. This study will also examine whether genetic risk for ADHD and other psychiatric co-morbidities alters the rate of cognitive recovery with cannabis abstinence.

Principal Investigator(s): Jodi Gilman, Ph.D., Marco Loggia, Ph.D., 2021—2026

Study Reference: NIH R01DA053316

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.

Principal Investigator(s): Randi Schuster, Ph.D., 2019—2022

Study Reference: ECOR

This pilot study will examine whether cognitive change over six months of cannabis abstinence is associated with improved real-world academic performance and brain functioning in adolescents.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.partners.org/study/mars or call (617) 643-3575 to see if you are eligible.

Principal Investigator: Randi Schuster, Ph.D., 2019—2022

Study Reference: Neuroscience and MGH Research Institute Scientific Projects to Accelerate Research and Collaboration (SPARC) Award

The overall purpose of this program is to identify adolescents who are at risk for cannabis-induced psychosis, as evidenced by endorsement of mild-to-moderate, sub-syndromal symptoms, and provide them with a potentially preventive intervention aimed at enhancing resilience.

Principal Investigator: Randi Schuster, Ph.D., 2021—2022

Study Reference: ECOR

The goal of this project is to collect critical pilot data on proximal relationships between acute cannabis use and withdrawal on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation using ecological momentary assessment among depressed adolescents.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/mj_and_depression or call (617) 643-3575 to see if you are eligible.

Principal Investigator: A. Eden Evins, M.D., MPH, Brenden Tervo-Clemmens, Ph.D., 2022—2024

Study Reference:

The purpose of this study is to learn more about teens’ day-to-day patterns of use of cannabis and alcohol. You must be between the ages of 15 and 20 to participate.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/sasu_study or call (617) 643-4537 to see if you are eligible.

Principal Investigator: A. Eden Evins, M.D., MPH, 2016—2021

Study Reference: PCORI 1504-30472

The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of two practical approaches to improving the health of people with mental illness in the community. The project will test whether tailored education to primary care doctors alone or combined with community health workers will help those with mental illness quit smoking. More than 1,100 patients in 50 Boston area community health clinics will be involved. Bay Cove Human Services and Vinfen, two of the largest mental health service providers in the Commonwealth, will lead the clinical component of this study.

Principal Investigator: A. Eden Evins, M.D., MPH, Randi Schuster, Ph.D., 2021—2024

Study Reference: NIDA; 1R01DA052583-01A1

Electronic cigarettes, initially marketed as a harm reduction product for tobacco smokers, have exploded in popularity amongst adolescents, renormalizing tobacco use in youth, causing nicotine dependence in nonsmoking adolescents, and increasing risk for tobacco smoking, other drug use, and direct negative health effects of vapor exposure. Amidst growing demand for adolescent vaping cessation interventions where no proven treatment exists, varenicline has shown promise for adolescent smoking cessation in randomized controlled trials and for vaping cessation in clinical care. This project will determine whether varenicline, the most effective treatment for addiction to smoked tobacco, is effective for vaping cessation in adolescents.

This study is currently recruiting participants. Visit https://rally.partners.org/study/vaper_adolescents or call (617) 643-7611 to see if you are eligible.

Principal Investigator: Jodi Gilman, Ph.D., 2021—2025

Study Reference: NIH R01DA051540-01A1

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) 643-4537 to see if you are eligible.

Principal Investigator(s): Randi Schuster, Ph.D., 2020—2024

Study Reference: INTF2400H78500224455 / 2300H78500224179

This is a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a new drug education and diversion program (iDECIDE) that will be implemented in 80+ middle and high schools across Massachusetts. iDECIDE, designed in collaboration between Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Institute for Health and Recovery, aims to provide schools with a scalable, effective, and youth-centered tier two intervention that can be used as an alternative to punishment for school-based substance use infractions. Providing youth with science-based knowledge and skills, iDECIDE empowers young people to make decisions that align with their core values and future goals to support their own personal well-being.

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

Principal Investigator: John F. Kelly, Ph.D. 2018—2023

Study Reference: NIH/NIDA 1R01AA026288-01

This five-year quasi-experimental prospective study is the first to investigate the clinical and public health utility of SMART Recovery by examining its effectiveness 1) as a recovery pathway and 2) in comparison to other mutual help organization participation.

Principal Investigator: John F. Kelly, Ph.D. 2018-2023

Study Reference: 1R01AA025849-01A1

This five-year prospective quasi-experimental study systematically examines three facets of impulsivity and conducts egocentric social network analyses to test the mechanisms of behavioral change through which the mutual-help organization, Alcoholics Anonymous, confers benefits.

Principal Investigator: Brandon Bergman, Ph.D. 2018-2023

Study Reference: 1K23AA025707-01A1

Through a five-year research career development award, Dr. Bergman is examining the effects of a) participation in recovery-specific social network sites, and b) online and face-to-face peer interactions, on addiction treatment outcomes among emerging adults (18-29 years) with alcohol use disorder.