Using virtual reality to understand alcohol cravings
Official title: The Use of Virtual Reality to Discover Objective Correlates of Alcohol Craving
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10832112 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how virtual reality can help us understand alcohol cravings by having people experience realistic VR scenes related to drinking, and it’s designed for anyone interested in learning more about their cravings and how they might manage them better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $227,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA030284-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10832112 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who consume alcohol, including both low-moderate and heavy drinkers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how virtual reality (VR) can be used to induce and measure alcohol cravings in individuals. Participants will experience realistic VR scenes related to alcohol consumption, while their eye movements and self-reported cravings are monitored. The study aims to develop a reliable method for assessing cravings, which could help in understanding addiction better. Participants will be followed up for a week after the VR experience to report their cravings and alcohol use in their everyday lives.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for treating alcohol addiction by better understanding the triggers of cravings.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using virtual reality for addiction studies, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Courtney, Kelly Elizabeth — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Courtney, Kelly Elizabeth
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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.