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Psychiatry & Behavioral Science

Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit

Research Volunteer Opportunities

The Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit has a number of opportunities to participate in clinical studies as a research volunteer. Eligibility requirements vary depending on the study but are generally open to both men and women at least 18 years of age. These research projects are currently looking for people who are:

Healthy Volunteers Needed for Paid Cannabis Research Studies

Healthy volunteers are needed to take part in four Johns Hopkins research studies involving cannabis, one of which involves tobacco and cannabis. Principal investigator for all the studies is Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D. Brief descriptions of the studies, the amount of compensation, and contact phone numbers follow:

  • People age 18–55 who are current tobacco users and have a history of occasionally using cannabis (marijuana). Participants will be paid up to $1,730 for study completion. Study involves smoking cannabis and also smoking a tobacco cigarette or vaping with an e-cigarette over seven experimental sessions. Call 410-550-0050 for more information. Protocol #: IRB00220975. 
  • Volunteers age 18–55 who have a history of occasionally using cannabis (marijuana). Participants will be paid up to $3,230 for study completion. Study involves vaping substances found in cannabis (such as THC) in nine separate experimental sessions, each lasting about seven hours. There is also a separate screening visit lasting about three hours to determine eligibility. Call 410-550-0586 for more information. Protocol #: IRB00182689. 

Volunteers Currently Maintained on Methadone Needed for Research Study

Are you currently maintained on methadone? Are you interested in participating in a research study about a new medication to treat withdrawal? This clinical research study at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus involves two 3-day/2-night overnight visits during which you will not take your methadone dose. The goal of the study is to determine whether Cannabidiol (CBD) reduces opioid withdrawal. You must be maintained on methadone and be 18-55 years of age to participate. Participation requires two overnight stays - 3 days each (2 nights); Duration of the study is about 3 weeks; Compensation up to $1130 may be provided. Call (410) 989-1756. PI: Kelly Dunn, Ph.D. Protocol # IRB00232412

Volunteers with Opioid Use Disorder Needed for Research Study

Are you physically dependent on opioids? Do you have symptoms when you try to stop using? This clinical research study at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus involves supervised opioid withdrawal in a residential setting. The goal of the study is to examine an FDA-cleared medical device that might lessen the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. You must have opioid use disorder and be 18 to 65 years old to participate. Participation requires an inpatient stay of 16-20 days. Duration of the study is about 3 weeks. Compensation up to and between $1230 and $1530 may be provided. Call (410) 989- 1756. PI: Eric Strain, M.D. Protocol # IRB00241133

Do you smoke tobacco cigarettes regularly?

Cigarettes smokers age 21-50 are needed for a paid research study that includes a screening visit, three study visits with a practice quit attempt, and brain imaging. Participants will be paid up to $645 for study completion. To learn more, visit  https://jhmi.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0wGrqvxIxt3Nl9H or call 410-550-1102, Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Principal Investigator: Elise M. Weerts, PhD, Protocol #: IRB00173536

Volunteers with Opioid Use Disorder Needed for Research Study

Are you physically dependent on opioids? Do you have symptoms when you try to stop using? This clinical research study at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus involves supervised opioid withdrawal in a residential setting. The goal of the study is to examine a sleep medication that might lessen the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. You must have opioid use disorder and be 18 or older to participate. Participation requires an inpatient stay of 11 days (10 nights) and 1 follow-up visit. Duration of the study is about 3 weeks. Compensation up to $1460 may be provided. Call 410-550-1206. PI: Andrew Huhn, Ph.D. Protocol #IRB00198426. Download flyer.

Struggling With Addiction? Cocaine and Heroin Users needed for Research Study

If you have a history of cocaine and heroin use you may qualify for a 30-week research study. You must be interested in methadone treatment, or already enrolled in methadone treatment to be eligible. You can earn up to $900 for study participation. Scheduling is flexible, screening is confidential, and you will be compensated for your time. For more information, please call 410-336-7762. Principal Investigator: Kelly Dunn, Ph.D. (Protocol # NA_00090062). Download flyer.

Cigarette Smokers Needed for Study on Stress and Breathing in Smokers

Attention healthy cigarette smokers. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (JHBMC) is currently recruiting adult cigarette smokers ages 18 to 65 for a research study. The 2-3 weeks study, requires 3 visits to JHBMC to evaluate the relationship between stress and breathing in smokers. Scheduling is flexible and you will be compensated for your time. If you are interested call us at 410-550-2799 or click the link below for details. Refer to study 1609. All calls are confidential. PI: Annie Umbricht, M.D. Study #: IRB00031600. Download flyer 

Cigarette Smokers Needed for Study on Smoking Behavior

You will be paid up to $2760 for completing the entire study. Healthy men and women who smoke cigarettes and are 18 years old or older are needed to participate in a research study at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. This is not a treatment study. The study tests factors that influence smoking behavior. Participation involves an initial phone screening and an in person 3 hour screening visit. If qualified, this study requires an additional 32 in person visits lasting approximately 4 hours each, and 4 in person visits lasting approximately 1.5 hours each. Morning, afternoon, and evening times are available for in person visits. For more information, please call (410) 550-1465. Principal Investigator: Matthew Johnson, Ph.D. (Protocol #: IRB007178). Download flyer

Oxytocin and Decision-Making Research Study

Healthy men and women 18 years of age and older are needed to participate in a research study at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. This is not a treatment study. The study tests whether oxytocin can influence decisions and other types of thinking. Participation involves an initial phone screening, and an initial in person screening visit. If qualified, 2 sessions each lasting roughly 3 hours will occur. You will be paid up to $250 for completing the entire study. For more information, please call (410) 550-1465. Principal Investigator: Matthew Johnson, Ph.D. (Protocol #: IRB00133379) Download flyer

Quit Smoking Before Bariatric Surgery

Are you a cigarette smoker who is scheduled to have bariatric surgery? Did you know that smoking before and after surgery significantly increases your chance for health complications from your surgery? Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Campus are conducting a 12-week research study to help you quit smoking. The study will provide access to FDA approved smoking cessation medication and counseling to help you stop smoking before your surgery and to stay quit even after surgery. The study requires once weekly visits for 12- weeks, and you can earn up to $950 for your time. All information is kept confidential. Please contact us for more information or to see if you may be eligible at 410-550-9497 or click this link to complete a brief survey and see whether you may be eligible!  Principal Investigator: Kelly Dunn, Ph.D. (Study Number: IRB00071969)

Cigarette Smokers Wanting to Quit

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is seeking cigarette smokers who would like to quit smoking for participation in a scientific research study. The study involves free counseling and treatment provided in a comfortable, supportive setting. Transdermal nicotine patches, an FDA approved smoking cessation treatment, may be provided in the study. Cognitive behavior therapy and ongoing interpersonal support will be provided in order to help volunteers quit smoking. Questionnaires, interviews, MRI scans, and biological measures of smoking will be used to assess the treatment’s effects on mood, and smoking. Volunteers must be right handed, must be between the ages of 21 and 65, and must live within travel distance of the Hopkins Bayview campus in Baltimore. If you would like to discuss the possibility of volunteering, please call 410–550–1972 and ask for Albert, the study’s research coordinator or go to http://www.quitsmokingbaltimore.org . Confidentiality will be maintained for all applicants and participants. Principal Investigator: Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D., (Study Number: NA_00016166) Download Flyer

Help Us Learn Why Drugs Affect People Differently

Researchers at Johns Hopkins are conducting a study to learn more about why medications may affect people differently. Healthy men and women between 21 and 50 years of age who are willing to live at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for five days may be eligible, and will be compensated up to $750 for their time. Call 410-550-9799 for more information and to learn whether you may be eligible. See if you qualify here https://tinyurl.com/1403-SeekingHealthyVolunteers​. Principal Investigator: Kelly Dunn, Ph.D. (Study Number: NA_00047423) Download Flyer

Healthy Volunteers Needed for Research Study at Johns Hopkins Bayview

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers are seeking healthy volunteers ages 18-65 to participate in a research study of the effects of commonly used medications on mood and medication preference. This study requires brief visits to our Bayview campus on weekdays. Participants may earn up to $2000. To learn more or see if you may be eligible, please email [email protected] or call (410) 550-1927. See if you qualify here.  Principal Investigator: Roland R. Griffiths, Ph.D. Protocol: IRB00165287. Download flyer.