Pain and Addiction Interaction Neurosciences (PAIN) Lab

The mission of the Pain and Addiction Interaction Neurosciences (PAIN) Lab is to pioneer new approaches for understanding and treating chronic pain and substance use disorders. We achieve this by integrating behavioral pharmacology, multimodal pain assessment, and advanced clinical trial methods. Our research is dedicated to translating cutting-edge neurobiological insights into innovative, non-opioid therapeutic options.

To fulfill our mission, we utilize our extensive expertise in Phase 1 and Phase 2 human laboratory studies. These studies are designed to explore the intricate mechanisms of pain and reward, providing a deeper understanding of these complex conditions. Our commitment to integrated care for individuals suffering from pain and addiction allows us to uncover and address the vital connections between chronic pain and addictive behaviors.

Our multidisciplinary approach combines behavioral pharmacology with state-of-the-art psychophysical and pharmacokinetic techniques. We employ comprehensive multimodal assessment methods to capture the complexity of human pain and addiction experiences. This enables us to translate our findings into practical and innovative treatment solutions.

We are closely linked to the VA Connecticut Healthcare System and the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU) at the Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC). Through these collaborations, we aim to enhance the lives of those affected by chronic pain and substance use disorders by developing evidence-based, non-opioid interventions.