Understanding how MDMA and ketamine affect the brain and behavior
Brain circuit, behavior and experience signatures of human drug-altered states
This project explores how drugs like MDMA and ketamine change brain activity, feelings, and actions in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098696 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to understand how drugs like MDMA and ketamine affect the brain and behavior in real-time. We will use brain imaging and self-reported experiences to see how these drugs influence feelings, rewards, and dissociative states. By also looking at how individuals differ in their responses, we hope to learn more about why people continue to use these substances. This knowledge could help us better understand drug use outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Individuals who have used or are currently using MDMA or ketamine and are willing to participate in controlled research settings might be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients not interested in participating in research involving drug administration or those without experience with these specific substances may not directly benefit from this particular opportunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to a better understanding of how MDMA and ketamine affect the brain, potentially informing future strategies for addressing drug use.
How similar studies have performed: While individual aspects of drug effects have been studied, this project aims for a more integrated characterization of real-time brain, behavior, and experience, making its comprehensive approach somewhat novel.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Leanne — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Williams, Leanne
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 below.