Our research

Get to know more about our current and past studies.

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Lines of research

The REALab conducts research on emotional problems such as anxiety or mood problems and addictions using a variety of methodologies and from diverse perspectives. 

The wellbeing survey

This study explores the intricate link between substance use, wellbeing and academic outcomes in
university students. Informed by the substance motives theory, our goal is to gather comprehensive data
on the underlying motivations driving substance use and the corresponding patterns among students.

By doing so, we seek to offer valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between substance use,
motivations, and the overall wellbeing of students within a university setting.

PTSD and addictions

Trauma exposure and addictions have a well-established connection, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Cue exposure (or cue reactivity) methodology is an experimental procedure commonly used to study several psychopathological behaviours and disorders, particularly addictions and trauma. This can be combined with other approaches, such as fMRI, psychophysiology equipment (BIOPAC MP160), observational tools (Noldus Observer XT) or face-recognition software (Noldus Face Reader) to assess how addictions and trauma are linked at different levels. 

Therapeutic interactions

In the last few decades, scientific research on clinical psychology has been dominated by studies of the efficacy of specific types of therapy.

The study of the processes happening in session using experimental methods is scarce. In this line of research, we'll use multi-modal methods to assess behaviours (Noldus Observer XT), emotional reactions (Noldus Face Reader) and psychophysiological responses (Biopac MP160) of practitioners and patients/clients during therapeutic sessions and study their influence on short- and long-term outcomes.

Family factors and substance use

We're focused on working with the families and carers of those with opioid use disorders or who have lost loved ones to opioid overdose, as they are often significantly impacted by their loved one’s opioid use.

We aim to explore co-production, an approach to public and patient involvement where members of the public are seen as equal partners in the entire research process.

To account for the varying severities of the opioid crisis, we'll engage with participants from both the UK and Canada. The aim is to collaboratively develop a resource or intervention that provides support to others in similar situations, hoping to help those who are affected by the opioid crisis in both countries.

Mechanisms associated with substance use and psychosis

In this project, we explore mechanisms and processes associated with substance use and comorbid disorders, such as psychosis.

Our focus is on interoception, the sense of the physiological state of the body, and bodily-self processes, specifically body ownership. We're interested in examining whether interoception and body ownership are altered after short and long-term substance use, and whether these processes might serve as transdiagnostic mechanisms linking substance use to psychosis.

Image accreditation

  • photo of people sitting down near table with assorted laptop computer by Marvin Meyer from Unsplash