Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit

The Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit (BPRU) at Johns Hopkins is a world leading site in the science of psychoactive drugs and behavior. Spanning the negative and positive effects of psychoactive drugs, whether illicit or legal, recreational drugs or medications, the BPRU takes a comprehensive approach to understanding all aspects of drugs, from substance use disorders and their treatment, to the development of novel psychoactive therapeutics. Few, if any, other research sites in the world have conducted human trials with such a wide variety of psychoactive drugs.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING Annual Conference on Addictions: 14th Annual Road to Recovery

September 18, 2023 - Road to Recovery is an annual conference which highlights hot topics within the field of addiction psychiatry. This year’s virtual conference will feature live sessions focused on emerging trends in drug use.

Psychoactive Drugs Under Study Here are some key substances among many studied by our researchers at BPRU.

Alcohol

Caffeine

Cannabis

Cocaine and Methamphetamine

Nicotine

Opioids

Psychedelics

Sedatives

About Our Research

For decades, the BPRU has conducted influential research and has contributed to major advances in treatments and science:

Early research on methadone treatment of opioid use disorder
Seminal work developing buprenorphine as a treatment for opioid use disorder
Development and refinement of abuse-liability methods now standard in FDA evaluations
Recognition of caffeine withdrawal as a scientific phenomenon and psychiatric diagnosis
Modern-day resurrection of human research with classic psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin
Cannabis research that has informed the risks and therapeutics of cannabis use and informed regulation
Tobacco regulatory science has guided the FDA in its modern-day role of regulating tobacco and other nicotine products
The efficacy of behavioral treatments such as contingency management as powerful therapeutics in treatment

Our research spans many approaches and designs:

Clinical pharmacology
Randomized clinical trials
Abuse liability assessment
Medications development
Cognitive effects of drugs
Behavioral effects of drugs and addiction
Brain imaging (MRI, PET)
Genetics and drugs
Neuroscience of drugs
Behavioral treatment of substance use disorders
Pharmacological treatment of substance use disorders
Integration of behavioral and pharmacological treatment
Psychiatric co-morbidity
Sexual, HIV, and other risks associated with drug use
Behavior economics of drug use and risk behavior including discounting and demand processes
Drugs and their interaction with pain
Drugs and sleep
Drugs and pregnancy
Women’s health issues and drug use

Our Team

- Denis Antoine, M.D., Assistant Professor
- Frederick Barrett, Ph.D., Associate Professor
- Cecilia Bergeria, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- George Bigelow, Ph.D., Professor
- Kelly Dunn, Ph.D, MBA, Associate Professor
- Albert Garcia-Romeu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Natalie Gukasyan, M.D., Assistant Professor
- Roland R. Griffiths, Ph.D., Professor
- Andrew Huhn, Ph.D., Associate Professor
- Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D., Professor
- Dustin Lee, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Sandeep Nayak, M.D., Assistant Professor
- Maxine L. Stitzer, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus
- Tory Spindle, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Eric Strain, M.D., Professor, BPRU Director
- Justin Strickland, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D., Professor
- Elise M. Weerts, Ph.D., Professor
- David Yaden, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
- Michael Kidorf, Ph.D.
- Jessica Peirce, Ph.D.
- Brian D. Richards, Psy.D.
- William A. Richards, Ph.D.
- Kenneth Silverman, Ph.D.
- Kenneth Stoller, M.D.
- Mary M. Bailes, LCPC, Senior Clinical Research Program Manager
- Robin Clay, R.N., Senior Research Nurse
- Joe Harrison, M.S., Senior Research Program Manager
- Nancy Johnson, LAN Administrator II
- Yvette Rogers, P.A., Physician Assistant
- Leeza Wager, Pharm.D., Pharmacy Director

Resources

Participate in ResearchResearch Studies Open for Enrollment

The BPRU is located on the Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus in the Behavioral Biology Research Center, where it has resources for clinical pharmacology and drug-administration studies, outpatient therapeutic trials, and residential laboratory studies. Study participants include volunteers with a variety of substance use histories as well as healthy volunteers.

Research Volunteer Opportunities

Magnifying glass focusing on the light man standing with arms wide open on green wall background. 3D rendering

Education

The BPRU is the site for a T32 post-doctoral training program funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). This training program has operated for over 35 years and graduates fill positions in academic medical centers, the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies, and teaching. The focus of the program is on real world training in clinical research related to addictions.

Fellowship

The BPRU is the site for a T32 post-doctoral training program funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). This training program has operated for over 35 years.
Internships

The BPRU Student Internship Program is designed to provide direct experience in behavioral pharmacology and human research studies to interested students and recent graduates.

BPRU Studies You May Find of Interest

Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depression Effective for Up to a Year for Most Patients, Study Shows

$illustration fractal background with human$

Reducing Adverse Effects of Epilepsy

hand holding cbd vial next to cannabis plant

Psychedelic Treatment with Psilocybin Relieves Major Depression, Study Shows

New Insight into Caffeine Use Disorder

LegitScript approved