Telehealth tDCS for Cannabis Addiction Recovery (CARES)
Official title: Telehealth-Delivered tDCS for Cannabis Addiction Recovery: The C.A.R.E.S. (Cannabis Addiction Recovery Enhancement Stimulation) Initiative
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11371195 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A home-based, telehealth program uses noninvasive brain stimulation plus mindfulness to help adults reduce cannabis use and curb cannabis use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $686,694 |
| NIH project number | 5UG3DA063344-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371195 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with cannabis use concerns who can access the ElectraRx telehealth system.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to home internet or the ElectraRx platform, or those with contraindications to tDCS, may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one struggles with cannabis use, this project will test a home-delivered brain stimulation method (tDCS) paired with mindfulness through a secure online platform. The team will develop a user-friendly home administration system and run a small, double-blind trial to see if the approach is feasible and acceptable. The study builds on prior experience with thousands of home sessions and aims to refine the program so it can become an accessible treatment option. Participation would involve using the device at home and completing mindfulness sessions under remote supervision. The ultimate goal is to create a scalable, cost-effective treatment that could support recovery beyond clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have a convenient, at-home option to support cannabis recovery that complements existing therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data from over 600 patients and 17,000 home-based sessions suggest feasibility of home tDCS with adherence.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Charvet, Leigh — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Charvet, Leigh
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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.