Investigating how discrimination affects cravings for alcohol and cannabis using virtual reality.
Official title: Effects of Direct and Vicarious Discrimination on Alcohol and Cannabis Cravings: Virtual Reality Experiment
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10919830 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how experiencing or witnessing discrimination affects cravings for alcohol and cannabis in young African American adults, using virtual reality to create realistic scenarios and see how stress and coping strategies play a role.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $683,665 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058626-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919830 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are African American young adults aged 18 to 25 who may experience or have experienced discrimination.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as African American or are outside the age range of 18 to 25 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of both direct and vicarious discrimination on cravings for alcohol and cannabis among young African American adults. Using virtual reality experiments, the study aims to establish a causal link between experiences of racism and substance use, focusing on how stress, rumination, and coping mechanisms mediate this relationship. Participants will engage in scenarios designed to simulate discrimination and measure their subsequent cravings for these substances. The findings could provide valuable insights into the social determinants influencing substance use in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that reduce substance cravings and improve mental health outcomes for African American young adults.
How similar studies have gone: While there is existing research on the correlation between discrimination and substance use, this study's experimental approach to vicarious discrimination is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lui, P. Priscilla — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Lui, P. Priscilla
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
AI-enhanced virtual reality tool to support remote emergency brain surgery training in Tanzania
A new AI-powered virtual reality tool helps non-experts in low-resource areas get real-time remote guidance for emergency traumatic brain injury surgery.
-
Hemp-derived CBD for reducing cannabis use in high-THC concentrate users
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial tests whether hemp-derived CBD can help adults who mainly use high-potency cannabis concentrates reduce their cannabis use.
-
Understanding how minority stress affects cannabis use in sexual minorities
A research project follows young adult sexual minorities to see how daily stress and coping help explain cannabis use and related problems.
-
Repeated cannabis with different THC/CBD mixes and how it affects pain, cravings, and body chemicals
This project studies how taking cannabis repeatedly, with different THC and CBD amounts, changes pain experiences, potential for abuse, and levels of body chemicals related to the endocannabinoid system in adults.
-
Terminal cannabinoid CB1 receptor changes in schizophrenia and cannabis use
This grant studies how cannabis use and schizophrenia together affect a brain receptor (CB1) and what that could mean for memory and symptoms.
-
Social virtual reality to tackle loneliness in older men with HIV
A new virtual reality program designed for older men living with HIV to connect with others and reduce loneliness, with the goal of improving health and daily well‑being.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.