Fast Facts
Drink 3+ Alcoholic Drinks Per Week
21+ Years Old
Compensation up to £500
Manchester, UK
Study Background
Researchers are studying how drugs like naltrexone might help the brain change and learn more easily. They’re also looking at whether these drugs can lower how strongly the brain reacts to alcohol, which might help people drink less.
Changing drinking habits isn’t easy—especially when the brain links alcohol with comfort or routine. Scientists are now testing whether certain medications can help the brain “rewire” itself. This study is looking at how Naltrexone and two other medications might help people feel less driven to drink. By studying how these drugs affect the brain, researchers hope to find new ways to support people trying to cut back.
Study Background
Researchers are studying how drugs like naltrexone might help the brain change and learn more easily. They’re also looking at whether these drugs can lower how strongly the brain reacts to alcohol, which might help people drink less.
Changing drinking habits isn’t easy—especially when the brain links alcohol with comfort or routine. Scientists are now testing whether certain medications can help the brain “rewire” itself. This study is looking at how Naltrexone and two other medications might help people feel less driven to drink. By studying how these drugs affect the brain, researchers hope to find new ways to support people trying to cut back.
Additional Information
This study is exploring whether a mix of medications—like Naltrexone and two other options such as Topiramate and Gabapentin—can help the brain become more flexible and shift how it responds to alcohol. Researchers want to see if these drugs could make it easier for people to drink less over time.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 21+ years old
- 3+ standard drinks (pints of beer or cider, or medium glasses of wine) per week
- Interested in reducing drinking
We appreciate your interest in our research study. Below is a detailed breakdown of what to expect at each stage.
Visit 1: Orientation & Virtual Reality Assessment (4-5 hours)
Your first visit will include fun and informative activities to get to know how your brain responds to stress and habit cues:
- A short scent-identification challenge to measure sensory response
- Virtual reality scenarios to track attention and emotional reactions
- Wearable sensor fitting to collect baseline movement and heart rate data
- Light cognitive games on a tablet
Visit 2: Sensory Modulation Session (3-4 hours, about 1 week later)
- Sensory perception test using sounds, light pulses, and touch
- Take one of the medications (Naltrexone, Topiramate, or Gabapentin)
- Rest quietly while brain activity is recorded with a soft wearable headband
Visit 3: Creative Thinking Lab (4-5 hours, 10 days later)
- Re-do some of the games and perception tests from Visit 1
- fNIRS brain scan while listening to music and narrating imagined stories
- Artistic task (e.g., collaborative drawing or story continuation)
- Wrap-up discussion and short survey
As a participant, you can receive up to £500.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.