Participate in a study

In pursuit of our mission and research areas, the BRAINS lab is currently conducting several studies led by our lab director and graduate students. Listed below are the current paid opportunities to participate through the BRAINS lab.


Digital Intervention for Stress in Cannabis Users (DISC) Study

Are you a regular marijuana user? Do you struggle with stress?
We are testing a brief computerized and smart phone-based stress management intervention for cannabis users!

Earn up to $484.50 plus bonus money!

We are testing a new one-session computerized stress management intervention with smart phone support for regular cannabis users. Physiological responses will be measured with non-invasive methods.

Laboratory visits will be completed at Auburn University. Some questionnaires and interviews can be completed online,  Participants must own a smart phone to participate.  Total study participation time is 17.5-20 hours over 5 months (15-17.5 hours across 6 lab lab visits and 2.5 hours of smart phone surveys). Confidentiality is guaranteed.

E-mail us at brains@auburn.edu or call us at (334)-844-6642 if you have any questions – just ask about the Digital Intervention for Stress in Cannabis Users (DISC) study!

Auburn University, Department of Psychological Sciences
The Auburn University Institutional Review Board has approved this document for use from 08/22/2024 to 06/16/2025.  Protocol #23-289 MR 2306, Macatee


Cannabinoids and Biological Reactivity to Stress (COBRAS) Study

Are you a regular marijuana user?
We are interested in examining how stress affects brain activity and the body’s physiological responses in cannabis users! 

Earn up to $499!

Participants will complete an interview, questionnaires, and computerized tasks during an EEG procedure. At each lab session, participants will take placebo (blank) or FDA approved drugs that create temporary “stress-like” responses. Responses in the body will be measured using blood draws and vitals monitoring

Must be a regular cannabis user. For those who are eligible, all sessions will be completed at Auburn University.  Confidentiality is guaranteed.

E-mail us at brains@auburn.edu or call us at (334)-844-6642 if you have any questions – just ask about the Cannabinoids and Biological Reactivity to Stress (COBRAS) Study!


Cognition and Fear Extinction in Anxiety and Cannabis Use (CAFE) Study

Do you regularly use cannabis?
You may be eligible for a research study at Auburn University!

Earn up to $100!

We are currently studying the impact of anxiety and cannabis on fear extinction and cognition in the brain.  Participants will complete questionnaires and computerized tasks during EEG recording.

Must be a regular cannabis user.  For those who are eligible, all sessions will be completed at Auburn University.  Confidentiality is guaranteed.

E-mail us at brains@auburn.edu or call us at (334)-844-6642 if you have any questions – just ask about the Cognition and Fear Extinction in Anxiety and Cannabis Use (CAFÉ) study

Auburn University, Department of Psychological Sciences
The Auburn University Institutional Review Board has approved this document for use from 04/23/2024 to 06/20/2024.  Protocol #23-288 MR 2306, Macatee


Understanding Anxiety and Fear (UAF) Study

Do you regularly experience anxiety?
You may be eligible for a research study at Auburn University

Earn up to $100!

We are currently studying the relations among fear, cognition, and anxiety.  Participants will complete questionnaires and computerized tasks during EEG recording.

For those who are eligible, all sessions will be completed at Auburn University.  Confidentiality is guaranteed.

E-mail us at brains@auburn.edu or call us at (334)-844-6642 if you have any questions – just ask about the Understanding Anxiety and Fear (UAF) study!

Auburn University, Department of Psychological Sciences
The Auburn University Institutional Review Board has approved this document for use from 06/20/2024 to 06/19/2025.  Protocol #23-288 MR 2306, Macatee


Trauma, Attention, and Customized Training of Inhibitory Control (TACTIC)

Have you experienced interpersonal hardships?
You may be eligible for our research study at Auburn University!

Earn up to $50 or 5.5 class credits!

We are investigating the effects of an inhibitory control training paradigm on inhibitory control skills and attention to stressful stimuli in adult females. Participating involves completing non-invasive EEG measurements and self-report measures. Confidentiality is guaranteed.

E-mail us at brains@auburn.edu or call us at (334)-844-6642 if you have any questions – just ask about the Trauma, Attention, and Customized Training of Inhibitory Control (TACTIC) study!

Auburn University, Department of Psychological Sciences
The Auburn University Institutional Review Board has approved this document. Protocol #23-385 EP 2309, Ashfar


Cannabis and Reward Processing (CARP) Study

Are you a regular marijuana user?
You may be eligible for a research study at Auburn University

Earn up to $100!

We are interested in examining how acute stress impacts reward and stress-related brain responses. Participants will complete a brief interview, questionnaires, and computerized tasks during EEG recording.

Must be a regular cannabis user. For those who are eligible, all sessions will be completed at Auburn University.  Confidentiality is guaranteed.

E-mail us at brains@auburn.edu or call us at (334)-844-6642 if you have any questions – just ask about the Cannabis and Reward Processing (CARP) study!

Auburn University, Department of Psychological Sciences
The Auburn University Institutional Review Board has approved this document for use from 06/20/2024 to 06/19/2025.  Protocol #22-307 MR 2207, Macatee


Interested in Joining the Lab?

Click HERE to learn more about graduate and undergraduate research opportunities.

Interested in Existing Publications?

Click HERE to access key publications from the BRAINs Lab.