Assessing the nicotine pharmacokinetics of new electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products can inform their abuse liability and public health effects. Nicotine delivery from JUUL2 ENDS products in four flavors (Virginia Tobacco, Polar Menthol, Autumn Tobacco, and Summer Menthol [18 mg/mL nicotine]) was compared to combustible cigarettes and NJOY Ace 5.0%, a pod-based ENDS authorized by Food and Drug Administration (classic tobacco and menthol flavors; 58 mg/mL), in two similarly designed but independent randomized crossover pharmacokinetics studies. All participants were adults who were daily cigarette smokers and concurrently used ENDS-dual users (Study 1, N = 44; Study 2, N = 30). Participants first used each product in a controlled use session (10 standardized 3-second puffs) and then a 5-min ad libitum use session. In both studies, when used by experienced ENDS users: (a) JUUL2 18 mg/mL products delivered statistically significantly lower peak levels of nicotine and exposed dual users to lower total levels of nicotine than combustible cigarettes; (b) nicotine delivery from use of JUUL2 18 mg/mL products was significantly lower than NJOY Ace 5.0% following controlled use, but more similar after ad libitum use; and (c) nicotine exposure did not significantly vary between tobacco- and menthol-flavored JUUL2 products. These results indicate that (a) JUUL2 18 mg/mL products expose users to significantly lower levels of nicotine than cigarettes, suggesting lower abuse liability; (b) abuse liability of JUUL2 18 mg/mL products is within the range of NJOY Ace 5%, an Food and Drug Administration-authorized pod-based ENDS; and (c) flavor did not significantly affect nicotine delivery from JUUL2 18 mg/mL products. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
A key step in the regulatory evaluation of new chemical entities is the assessment of their abuse potential. Human abuse potential (HAP) studies provide insights into the likelihood that new chemical entities have the potential for intentional, nonmedical use and therefore should be considered for greater regulatory control. Behavioral economic demand methods are proposed as a complementary method to improve the resolution of abuse liability testing. These procedures are posited to provide scalar, rank-ordered comparisons of abuse potential that are comparable across drugs and to better model real-world contexts in which constraint and cost influence drug-taking potential. The current review considers the applicability of behavioral economic demand methods to HAP testing frameworks. We review existing studies that have applied procedures broadly consistent with HAP testing and integrated demand procedures to measure abuse potential and/or a drug reinforcement. Procedural details and the demand methods implemented are reviewed toward the goal of informing the methods for applying demand testing in the HAP study framework and the existing gaps in defining those methods. Ultimately, efforts to improve the sensitivity and resolution of assays to detect and differentiate abuse potential stand to improve public health by concentrating efforts on the adequate control of drugs that pose risk while minimizing the restrictions on those with a lower abuse potential to maximize their clinical utility. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Serotonergic antidepressant history can reduce the subjective effects, including therapeutic efficacy, of a number of psychedelics. A related issue is the impact of traditional antidepressants with serotonergic action on the adverse effects of psychedelics. Becker et al. (2025) reported that adverse effects induced by lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) were reduced by pretreatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine, while "good drug effects" induced by LSD were not. The present studies examined if exposure to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine impacts the aversive effects of LSD as assessed in the taste avoidance procedure, a behavioral index of the aversive effects of drugs. After determining a dose of LSD inducing intermediate taste avoidance in male Sprague-Dawley rats (Experiment 1), a different set of subjects in Experiment 2 were exposed to fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) or vehicle every fourth day for a total of five injections prior to taste avoidance conditioning in which saccharin was followed by 50 ug/kg LSD or saline over six trials. Subjects were then assessed over extinction in which they were given saccharin alone. Although there was no overall impact of fluoxetine on LSD, consumption by a subset of subjects in the fluoxetine-LSD group that drank less than the group's mean did not overlap with consumption of subjects drinking less than the mean of the vehicle-LSD group, indicating an attenuating effect of fluoxetine. Future work should assess the generalization of such effects across different psychedelic classes and the neurobiological mediation of the effects with other combinations of antidepressants and psychedelics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Alcohol-induced blackouts (AIBs) are a common and serious consequence of drinking often associated with increased alcohol-related harms. Understanding factors that place individuals at increased odds of experiencing an AIB is critical to inform interventions aimed at reducing alcohol-related harms. The present study seeks to examine a theory-informed model of biopsychosocial factors that may increase a person's risk for experiencing AIBs over and above drinking. Young adults (n = 175, 52.6% female, 86.9% White, Mage = 20.8) with recent history of heavy drinking and AIBs wore transdermal alcohol concentration sensors and completed twice-daily surveys about previous-day alcohol use and AIBs over six weekends. Multilevel structural equation models were conducted to test for direct and indirect effects (through transdermal alcohol concentration) of social norms (descriptive and injunctive AIB norms, separately), psychological factors (impulsivity and sensation seeking), and family history of alcohol problems on AIB risk. One in three drinking days (n = 535, 33.8%) resulted in an AIB. Descriptive AIB norms (OR = 1.42, 95% CrI [1.06, 1.97]) and family history (OR = 1.41, 95% CrI [1.04, 1.92]) were uniquely associated with increased odds of experiencing AIBs. Psychological influences were not significantly associated with AIBs. No indirect effects were observed. In a theory-informed examination of biopsychosocial factors, higher descriptive norms and family history increased the odds of experiencing AIBs. Our findings highlight the potential value of future research examining interventions targeting misperceptions of peer AIB frequency. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
A behavioral economic framework of alcohol use posits that alcohol use is a temporally extended pattern of behavior and occurs in contexts in which other response options are available. Hypothetical purchase tasks are based in behavioral economic theory and allow for researchers to pinpoint demand for commodities. An extension of purchase task methodology, cross-commodity tasks examine demand for a substance when two or more commodities are concurrently available. Recent research has extended these tasks to examine the impact of competing activities on alcohol demand. The present study extends this work by examining the extent to which rank-order preference for alternative activities would differentially impact demand for alcohol and serve as substitutes. Participants were crowdsourced via Prolific and completed a rank-order assessment of preference of activities and hobbies, an alcohol purchase task, and measures of suitability and rewarding value of alcohol-related activities. They responded to three separate cross-commodity tasks in which the highest, second-highest, or lowest preferred activity was presented at fixed low cost, while the price of alcohol increased. Results indicated that though rank preference did not impact substitutability of activities for alcohol, demand for alcohol was greater suppressed in the presence of high-preferred than low-preferred activities. Additionally, reported consumption of activities was greatest when the activities were highly preferred. Taken collectively, results highlight the utility of purchase task methodology and demand curve analyses in identifying alternative activities and the need for continued research exploring the functional reinforcing components of alternative activities to incorporate in interventions for hazardous alcohol use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
The cigarette purchase task (CPT) is an efficient and safe method to simulate cigarette demand. In prior research, the CPT demand intensity index (estimated consumption if cigarettes were free) overestimated actual consumption. This study had three aims: (a) further examine concordance between demand intensity and actual consumption; (b) compare their relative sensitivity to individual differences in smoking risk; and (c) examine overestimation prevalence and predictors. Participants were adults who smoked daily with comorbid psychiatric disorders or socioeconomic disadvantage. Participants completed the CPT prior to receiving free usual-brand cigarettes for 7 days, with daily consumption recorded via interactive voice response. Aim 1 (n = 326): Demand intensity overestimated interactive voice response smoking by an average of 3.46 (standard error of the mean, 0.06) cigarettes smoked/day (p < .001). Aim 2 (n = 326): CPT and interactive voice response were concordant in discerning differences in smoking risk by opioid use disorder (p < .001), age (p = .012), and education (p < .001). Aim 3 (n = 1,101): 72.39% of participants overestimated demand intensity, with lower baseline cigarettes smoked/day, younger age, and nonmentholated cigarette use predicting overestimation (ps ≤ .038). Overall, this study demonstrates that CPT demand intensity often but modestly overestimates actual consumption, while nevertheless remaining equisensitive to differences in smoking risk as actual consumption, thereby supporting its utility and construct validity. Demand intensity overestimation is independently predicted by lighter smoking, younger age, and use of nonmentholated cigarettes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
A substantial proportion of young adults experience alcohol- and cannabis-related consequences. One potential contributor to negative consequences of substance use is context; for example, solitary substance use, which may be more common for those who are experiencing mental health symptoms, such as symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study hypothesized that PTSD symptoms would moderate associations between solitary substance use and consequences for both (a) alcohol and (b) cannabis use. This was secondary data analysis examining young adults across the United States (N = 371; 53.9% male; 56.9% White) who completed an online survey from remote locations assessing alcohol use, cannabis use, frequency of using alcohol and cannabis alone, substance-related consequences, PTSD symptoms, and demographic information. Those reporting alcohol (n = 281) and cannabis use (n = 222) in the past year were included in moderation models. Moderation was tested using negative binomial regression with follow-up tests of simple slopes at high (+1 SD) and low (-1 SD) levels of PTSD symptoms. There was a significant interaction between PTSD symptoms and solitary drinking in the prediction of alcohol-related consequences. Solitary drinking was associated with more alcohol-related consequences only among those reporting high (not low) symptoms of PTSD (incidence rate ratio = 1.01, p = .01, 95% CI [1.00, 1.02]). There was no interaction between PTSD and solitary cannabis use in the prediction of cannabis-related consequences. PTSD symptoms may exacerbate the association between solitary drinking and alcohol-related consequences. Prevention and intervention strategies focused on healthy coping skills may be especially important for those experiencing PTSD symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Evidence on betahistine for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia is limited. This study evaluated its feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy to lay the groundwork for future randomized controlled trials. Thirty-one inpatients with schizophrenia, aged 18-60 years, undergoing treatment with olanzapine received betahistine (16 mg, three times daily) for 12 weeks. Cognitive function, clinical symptoms, and side effects were assessed at baseline and again at 12 weeks postintervention. After 12 weeks of betahistine treatment, patients with schizophrenia showed a significant increase in the total Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia Consensus Cognitive Battery score (p < .01). Increases were observed across multiple cognitive domains, including speed of processing, attention, working memory, verbal and visual learning, and reasoning and problem solving. Reductions in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores were also observed, particularly for negative symptoms and total score (p < .05). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between age and cognitive scores (β = -0.37, p < .05). No adverse effects were reported. In this 12-week, single-arm study, adjunctive betahistine treatment was associated with observed improvements in cognitive performance and reductions in clinical symptom scores during the treatment period in patients with schizophrenia receiving olanzapine. Furthermore, advancing age is a key factor contributing to cognitive decline in the studied population. Betahistine was well-tolerated. This study explores betahistine as an adjunctive treatment for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, with potential implications for improving cognitive outcomes and informing future treatment strategies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
The purpose of this study was to compare the current U.S. Veteran Affairs (VA) contingency management incentives (vouchers to the VA Canteen) against other incentives for inducing intentions to use alcohol. Theory indicates that other incentives, such as debit cards, could be more effective at reducing drinking intentions. Sixty U.S. Armed Forces veterans who reported hazardous alcohol use were recruited for a virtual study through Prolific crowdsourcing. Participants responded on a 0-100 Likert scale of how likely they were to abstain from drinking if offered increasing compensation by vouchers, gift cards, and restricted and unrestricted debit cards. Price sensitivity and intensity of demand between each incentive type were compared. The sample was primarily male and White, and 68.9% of participants only utilized VA Canteens once per year or less. VA vouchers did not differ significantly on demand indices from VA gift cards; however, both debit cards produced higher likelihood of intentions to abstain from drinking than either VA gift cards or vouchers. This study is the first to assess the efficacy of incentive types within the VA contingency management framework and estimate their efficacy compared with vouchers. These results indicate that unrestricted and restricted debit cards should be assessed as alternatives to Canteen vouchers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Sports wagering is associated with alcohol use and alcohol-related harm, and gambling can increase alcohol consumption and drinking urges. However, the effect of sports wagering on alcohol reward value remains unclear. The present study explored the interactive effect of placing a single-event sports wager and social context on alcohol demand (a behavioral economic measure of alcohol reward value) using context-adapted alcohol purchase tasks in a sample of individuals reporting past-month alcohol use and sports wagering (n = 425; Mage = 31.28; 71.29% male). Contrary to hypotheses, there were no differences in alcohol demand between context-adapted alcohol purchase tasks as a function of concurrent sports wagering (padj = .876-.924) or social context (padj = .170-.667). Exploratory analyses investigated relations between gambling motives and alcohol demand and the relations between various behavioral economic constructs and problem gambling. Omax was associated with an increased likelihood of problem gambling (OR = 1.02, padj = .03). Omax and elasticity were associated with financial gambling motives, but less so during concurrent gambling events, with concurrent sports wagering attenuating the relation between elasticity and financial motives (b = 0.34, padj = .003). Financial motives for gambling were positively associated with alcohol use broadly, but not with simultaneous drinking while gambling. These findings suggest relations between sports wagering and alcohol demand are complex-highlighting the need for future research into the sports wagering experience, specific sports wagering forms, and alcohol's role in sports culture to better understand the relation between alcohol use and sports wagering. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized 41 electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) that meet its public health standard. This clinical lab study utilized behavioral economic and subjective measures to index the abuse liability of currently authorized ENDS that varied in nicotine flux (i.e., μg nicotine/s) and flavor among adults who smoke cigarettes. Using a Latin square-ordered, within-subject design, adults who smoke cigarettes (n = 30; 20 menthol preferring [MP]) completed four sessions: one with own-brand cigarettes and three with tobacco and menthol flavors of three NJOY-branded ENDS: 2.4% nicotine (58 μg/s flux), 5% nicotine (118-123 μg/s flux), 6% nicotine (61-65 μg/s flux). Outcomes included behavioral economic indices (e.g., price sensitivity) and subjective measures (e.g., product acceptability). Mixed analysis of variance was used to examine the effects of ENDS nicotine flux, flavor, and MP. MP participants were less price sensitive than those who smoked nonmenthol, particularly for menthol-flavored ENDS. Those who smoked nonmenthol were less price sensitive for tobacco-flavored versus menthol-flavored ENDS. MP participants substituted all ENDS for own-brand cigarettes, while those who smoked nonmenthol only substituted with lower flux tobacco-flavored and higher flux menthol-flavored ENDS. Greater positive ratings on some acceptability measures were observed for menthol-flavored than tobacco-flavored ENDS. Those who smoked nonmenthol reported greater aversive ENDS-related sensory effects than MP participants. Menthol flavoring in ENDS increased some abuse liability measures, particularly product acceptability. ENDS abuse liability and substitution potential also varied by MP. Lower flux tobacco and higher flux menthol ENDS may support switching. Findings support further investigation on menthol-flavored, higher flux ENDS for public health benefit. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
The traditional Marijuana Purchase Task (MPT) assesses hypothetical demand (i.e., relative value) for cannabis flower across escalating prices and has been related to cannabis use, cannabis expenditure, and cannabis use disorder symptoms. However, the MPT is specific to demand for cannabis flower, resulting in limited utility for individuals who endorse the use of other cannabis formulations, including edibles. The present investigation aimed to validate a novel measure of cannabis edible demand: the Edibles MPT (eMPT). Data were drawn from two samples (i.e., laboratory: n = 74; crowdsourced: n = 131) who endorsed use of cannabis edibles. Participants completed the eMPT, as well as key cannabis use outcome measures including the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised and cannabis expenditures. Demand data from the eMPT were highly systematic and prototypical across samples. Individual-level demand curves showed substantial variability in consumption. Multiple eMPT indices were significantly intercorrelated (laboratory: |rs| = .43-.93; crowdsourced: |rs| = .36-.89), correlated with corresponding MPT indices (laboratory: |rs| = .52-.69; crowdsourced: |rs| = .47-.74), and associated with Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised scores and cannabis expenditures (laboratory: |rs| = .24-.54; crowdsourced: |rs| = .23-44). Additionally, the eMPT differentiated participants in the crowdsourced sample based on hazardous cannabis use via the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised; participants exhibiting hazardous use showed significantly greater intensity, breakpoint, and Omax and lower elasticity (ps < .03; ds .18-.67). These findings demonstrate that the eMPT is a valid assessment of cannabis edible demand and fulfills an unmet need in the cannabis demand literature for edible-specific purchase tasks. Subsequent research should continue to develop purchase tasks for other increasingly prevalent cannabis formulations due to the proliferation of novel cannabis products in the recreational market. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Tobacco and alcohol coaddiction is highly prevalent and represents a substantial challenge for treatment, as addiction to one of these substances leads to a worse prognosis when treating the other. In this pilot study, we evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and signals of efficacy when incorporating varenicline (VC) and app-based contingency management (CM) to treat tobacco smoking and alcohol use disorders (AUD), concomitantly. Fourteen participants with an AUD who were seeking smoking cessation treatment were exposed to a within-subject A-B-A experimental design lasting 9 weeks. Participants were provided VC for smoking cessation throughout the study. Participants were also instructed to submit five daily breathalyzer samples using a mobile app. During the experimental phase (B), participants could earn reinforcers totaling $15 per day for submitting all breathalyzer samples with results below 0.08. Submitting all five samples on a given day occurred on 75% of study days, with VC adherence occurring on 74% of study days. Participants were retained for an average of 7.6 weeks and most of them (80%) found the app quick to learn and easy to use. A significant reduction of heavy-drinking days (p < .01) occurred during the B phase, and the number of daily cigarettes smoked significantly declined following each phase change (p < .01). The combination of VC and app-based CM was shown to be feasible and well accepted, with an initial signal of efficacy to reduce heavy-drinking and cigarette smoking. This combined therapeutic may provide a novel approach to treat tobacco smoking and AUD concomitantly. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Given the public health burden associated with health behaviors such as substance use, significant efforts are directed toward developing effective interventions to facilitate health behavior change. As digital technologies continue to advance at accelerating pace and integrate into people's daily lives, researchers have a unique and significant opportunity to leverage these tools to advance theory and practice. Emerging tools, novel intervention targets, and technologies have great potential to improve health behavior change research to unburden individuals and communities impacted by substance use and related behaviors, though much work remains to be done to fully realize this potential. This article examines the current state of the health behavior change research highlighting recent innovations facilitated by digital transformations. Looking ahead, potential challenges and opportunities are discussed, along with a call for health behavior change researchers to become intentional interdisciplinary collaborators and innovation brokers toward the development of effective theory-informed digital tools and to maximize the field's impact on public health outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Brief interventions (BIs) are generally effective at reducing heavy drinking and mitigating alcohol-related harms. However, some studies suggest that BIs may be less effective for substance-using interpersonal trauma survivors, indicating additional modifications may be needed to improve outcomes for this at-risk demographic. Additionally, given lower engagement and adherence in digital modalities, digital navigators such as peer coaches may help strengthen gains following technology-based BIs. The purpose of the present study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile-delivered, trauma-informed BI for undergraduate emerging adults with interpersonal trauma and heavy alcohol use that was augmented with peer coaches. Participants included 52 individuals recruited as part of an ongoing randomized pilot trial. Participants completed a digital BI, peer coaching sessions via synchronous text messages at 1 and 2 months post-BI, and a 3-month follow-up. Completion rates were high, with approximately 80% of the sample completing the peer coaching sessions, and results showed that the majority of participants had positive perceptions of the BI and peer coaching. Findings indicate that BIs supported with peer coaching are feasible and acceptable, although rigorous examinations of their effectiveness relative to existing interventions are needed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Cannabis use is prevalent worldwide, and despite frequent use being linked to cognitive impairment, some individuals who use cannabis report perceived cognitive improvement. This pilot study evaluated a multisensory cannabis-cue priming procedure designed to induce craving in people who use cannabis. Additionally, this study examined the degree to which cue-induced craving and expectations of attentional enhancement were associated with changes in cognitive performance. Fifty-one adults (58.8% female; n = 26 who currently use cannabis, n = 25 who do not use cannabis) participated in a two-condition counterbalanced cannabis-priming study at a university campus in New Zealand. Stimuli included visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile items. Cannabis craving was assessed using a visual analogue scale across six time points, and selective attention and inhibitory control were measured via a digital flanker task. Cannabis beliefs and potential misuse were measured using the Cannabis Attention and Affect Motives Scale and the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test-Revised. Mixed model analyses showed significant increases in craving for those who currently use cannabis following cannabis priming relative to baseline and neutral primes, with effects persisting after task completion. No craving changes were found for those who do not use cannabis. While overall cognitive performance did not differ by priming condition, people who currently use cannabis who identified stronger attention enhancement motives demonstrated faster task performance (lower interference scores) following cannabis primes. These preliminary findings support the efficacy of this priming paradigm in inducing craving among individuals who currently use cannabis and demonstrate the potential influence of cannabis-related beliefs on cognitive performance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Young adults most commonly use alcohol (65%), cannabis (27%), and e-cigarettes (14%; Schulenberg et al., 2021). Considering e-cigarettes have only recently gained popularity in this population, the use patterns and effects of use on young adults requires further research. Alcohol is still the most commonly used substance among high schoolers and young adults (Schulenberg et al., 2021). Studies have found that young adult college students who binge drink are more dependent on e-cigarettes (Yang et al., 2022), indicating that alcohol and e-cigarette use may impact each other. The present study evaluates the reinforcing efficacy of alcohol as a function of e-cigarette use. One hundred sixty-seven young adult college students completed measures of their alcohol dependence, e-cigarette dependence, anxiety, and depression and completed an alcohol purchase task to evaluate their demand for alcohol. Across three categories of e-cigarette use, we found that intensity, maximum expenditure, and essential value for alcohol were significantly higher among daily e-cigarette users than individuals who have never used an e-cigarette. This study replicates findings from the traditional cigarette literature demonstrating that alcohol demand is greater among smokers than nonsmokers (Amlung et al., 2017; Yurasek et al., 2013). Implications for these findings related to cross-cue reactivity among individuals trying to quit alcohol or e-cigarettes are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Delay discounting (a preference for smaller immediate rewards vs. larger delayed rewards; DD) is a transdiagnostic risk factor for health outcomes including substance use disorders, obesity, and others. Studies have identified numerous individual-level factors associated with DD in adolescents, however, research into how family, neighborhood, and larger environmental factors may impact DD have been limited by either examining very few environmental factors and/or using cross-sectional measures on DD. Identifying demographic and environmental predictors of both static levels of DD during adolescence and change in DD over time may expand our understanding of the etiology of DD and inform intervention targets. Using longitudinal data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (N = 7,858), we trained lasso models to perform variable selection on 325 factors hypothesized to be associated with development of DD. We separately evaluated predictors of baseline DD when children were 10-11 years of age and change in DD between baseline and 2-year follow-up. The lasso identified 33 predictors that explained 7% of the variance in baseline DD. Baseline DD explained 40% of the variance in change in DD and 52 predictors explained an additional 4%. These results were comparable to other studies that have taken a machine-learning approach the evaluating individual-level predictors in the ABCD. Although no single variable demonstrated large explanatory power, the overall set of environmental factors together appears to be as important as individual factors in the development of DD and underscores that DD likely develops as the result of many interacting factors with small individual effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Nonmedical prescription stimulant use is prevalent among college students despite no evidence of meaningful neuropsychological improvement in students without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study addresses methodological limitations of existing placebo-controlled stimulant administration research by including a within-subject design, baseline comparison, and self-report/subjective measures of neuropsychological functioning to better clarify evidence of cognitive enhancement among college students without ADHD. Participants (n = 21) completed a no-drug baseline session and two counterbalanced experimental sessions that involved ingesting a placebo capsule or an amphetamine-dextroamphetamine immediate release 10 mg capsule. For each session, participants completed objective and self-report/subjective neuropsychological measures. Results indicated no significant differences across sessions for self-report/subjective measures and most objective measures. Specifically, for two outcomes on an objective measure (i.e., continuous performance task-identical pairs), performance improved in either the stimulant and placebo conditions compared to baseline or only the placebo condition compared to baseline. Taken together, the results of this study provide further evidence that stimulant medication does not confer neuropsychological improvement in students without ADHD, and perceived improvements may be better attributed to placebo, rather than pharmacological effects of a stimulant medication for this group. This information can inform ongoing efforts to discourage nonmedical prescription stimulant among college students without ADHD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Gaps in knowledge surrounding opioid withdrawal complicate treatment, resulting in high rates of treatment attrition. Naloxone challenges are a rigorous method used to study withdrawal but can fail to capture broader, delayed-onset withdrawal symptoms. This study examines the feasibility of a novel paradigm of spontaneous opioid withdrawal among individuals with opioid use disorder maintained on methadone and assesses multidimensional aspects of withdrawal symptoms, including sleep, pain, and mood. Adults (N = 3) maintained on methadone were recruited from the community and completed a 3-day residential study. Participants received 50% of their prescribed methadone dose at admission and were observed for 57 hr without methadone. Meanwhile, participants completed self-report surveys on opioid withdrawal symptoms (i.e., Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale), pain, sleep, mood, and craving. Vital signs and physiological measures were also collected. The Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale scores peaked from "moderate" to "severe" withdrawal on study Day 3: +35, ±48 hr postdose, and anxiety was the only symptom consistently elevated across participants. Participants reported the greatest change in pain severity and interference scores from baseline on Day 3. Average pupil size increased over time. Meaningful elevations of symptoms occurred about 48 hr postpartial methadone dose administration, highlighting the significance of a longer observation period with these specific parameters. Examining spontaneous opioid withdrawal in individuals on methadone is feasible and offers an opportunity to investigate multidimensional elements of withdrawal. Testing novel models addresses the need for tools to assess and evaluate treatments targeting opioid withdrawal syndrome. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
