Why do some people become addicted to cocaine more quickly than others? For decades, scientists have debated whether addiction is driven by sensitization of the psychomotor effect of the drug (getting a bigger effect of the drug over time), sensitization of the motivational effects of the cues (incentive salience) or tolerance to the psychomotor effect of the drug (needing more of the drug to get the same effect). Our latest study using advanced machine vision and genetica

Sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions are some of the most common and frustrating symptoms of opioid use disorder. Many people in recovery struggle with insomnia or find that their internal biological clock is completely out of sync. In our latest study in collaboration tithe the Logan lab, we looked at a tiny but powerful region of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) , which acts as the body's master clock, to see exactly how oxycodone rewires it. The Big Que

The ongoing opioid crisis remains a critical public health emergency, and understanding how these drugs change the body is vital for developing better diagnostics and treatments. While we know much about how opioids affect the brain, their impact on the rest of the body, specifically the chemicals circulating in our blood, is less clear. In our latest study in collaboration with the Saba and Kechris Labs , we used an advanced technique called untargeted metabolomics to ident

Opioid use disorder (OUD) has grown into a severe global health emergency, yet long term abstinence remains an elusive goal for many. One major reason is that chronic opioid use leaves lasting marks on the brain that persist long after someone stops using. In our latest study, we used advanced genetic sequencing to compare the molecular changes in the human brain with those in animal models to find common "signatures" of addiction. The Big Question We wanted to know if the ch

In our latest review paper, we explore the deep biological links between stress and nicotine addiction. This work is especially meaningful as it is dedicated to the honor of Dr. Klaus Miczek, a true pioneer in the field who recently passed away. I personally loved interacting with him, and his groundbreaking work on the neurobiology of social stress continues to inspire our research. The Big Question We wanted to synthesize how stress, particularly social defeat stress, acts

We often hear that nicotine is a powerful appetite suppressant. This is why many long term smokers find it difficult to quit, fearing the weight gain that often follows. However, our recent study has uncovered a fascinating paradox: while nicotine might help keep weight off in the long run, an acute dose of nicotine actually makes some individuals want to eat more right away. The Big Question We set out to investigate why nicotine has these two opposite effects on feeding beh

When we look at addiction, we often wonder if different behaviors like taking more of a drug over time, working harder to get it, or continuing to use it despite bad consequences are separate problems or part of one bigger issue. For a long time, researchers treated these as independent traits. However, in our latest study involving nearly 500 genetically diverse subjects, we found that these behaviors actually point back to a single core addiction construct. The Big Question

We often think of nicotine as something that kills your appetite. While it is true that long term smoking can lead to weight loss, some people find that they actually feel a strange surge of hunger right after a cigarette. In our recent study, we explored this "paradoxical hunger" and discovered that nicotine interferes with the body's hormonal signals for fullness. The Big Question We wanted to understand why acute nicotine intake—meaning a single dose—causes a temporary inc

In the world of neuroscience, observing how behavior changes over time is a cornerstone of understanding the brain. Whether we are studying addiction, learning, or social interaction, capturing every movement of a subject can reveal patterns that the human eye might miss. However, setting up a high-quality video recording system for dozens of subjects at once has historically been incredibly expensive and technically difficult. In our latest study, we introduced a solution th

Cocaine use disorder is a devastating public health crisis, yet we currently have no FDA approved medications to help people maintain long term recovery. One of the greatest challenges in treating addiction is preventing relapse, which often occurs after long periods of being clean. In our recent study in collaboration with the Kiraly lab, we explored a surprising new frontier in addiction research: the gut microbiome. We discovered that the bacteria living in the gut, and th