Theses and Dissertations

An analysis of the medical the efficacy of MDMA, Psilocybin and LSD as a method of determining the need for psychedelic-based psychotherapy treatments as novel treatments for various psychiatric disorders and how those treatments will be inducted into the United States in various formats including healthcare, federal law and social acceptance.

Exploration of a mouse model (C57BL/6J) capable of demonstrating behavioral changes after adolescent social isolation that are consistent with prior findings may prove beneficial in later research. This study examined 2 proposed long-term effects of isolated housing (one mouse/cage), when compared to group housing (two mice/cage) during adolescence. Mice were placed in their respective housing conditions after weaning (PND 21) and remained in those conditions until PND 60. The same cohorts were used in both phases of the experiment. Phase 1 sought to confirm previous findings that showed increases in ethanol intake after adolescent social isolation using a 2-bottle preference Drinking-in-the-Dark (DID) design over a 4-day period (PND 64-PND 67.). Phase 2 sought to elucidate the effects present after adolescent social isolation, as measured using response inhibition capabilities demonstrated during fixed-minimum interval (FMI) trials (PND 81-PND 111). Findings in phase 1 of the experiment were non-significant, save a strong tendency for female mice in both housing conditions to drink more as a proportion of their bodyweight (g/kg). However, a trend of lower bodyweight in single housed mice did exist, which does suggest that detrimental stress was applied via the used of adolescent isolation in that housing condition. Findings in phase 2 showed little effect of adolescent social isolation on mean inter-response time (IRT) at any criterion used (FMI-0, FMI-4, FMI-6). Evaluation of mean interquartile range (IQR) of IRTs showed a significantly greater amount of variation in IRT responses within single housed mice at the highest criterion (FMI-6), and a trend in the same direction when FMI-4 and FMI-6 were tested concurrently. Taken as a whole, the findings of this experiment suggest that the effect of adolescent social isolation on ethanol intake is far less robust than the effect of sex and may be difficult to replicate in a low-power study. Additionally, adolescent social isolation may interfere with the ability of mice to show consistent accuracy during FMI tasks or a delay in recognition of FMI criterion change.

The electronic dance music (EDM) rave community prides itself in fostering an all- accepting subculture for people to unite in style, song, and dance. Based on the principles of Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect (PLUR), rave events have unique and colorful themes, bass levels you can feel in your heart, bright and invigorating laser light shows, and in many cases, a heavy presence of both legal and illegal drug use. Because of the association with illegal substances, open discussions regarding drug presence, use, and harm reduction have been stigmatized and limited in the rave community. This study aims to evaluate the current level of knowledge and attitudes regarding drug presence and harm reduction among “ravers.” All participants were required to be of 18 years of age or older and have attended at least 1 EDM event in the past 5 years. The study involved two stages: (1) collecting qualitative data through in person, phone call, or Zoom interviews (n=14), and (2) collecting quantitative data through closed-ended, anonymous surveys via QuestionPro (n=64). The results indicate that a significant portion of participants in both stages express a desire for easily accessible harm reduction information and increased measures prior to and at EDM events. Starting an open dialogue about drug use and harm reduction efforts within this subculture could help create a safer environment and reduce the negative consequences of drug use.