Cannabinoid Research Collaborative

11/07/2025

📣 Exciting News from the Cannabinoid Research Collaborative!

Next week, our very own Dr. Erin McClure, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, will deliver one of two keynote presentations at the MACRC 2025 Conference!

Dr. McClure’s work focuses on reducing the harmful impact of cannabis and nicotine/tobacco product use through evidence-based strategies that support both abstinence and harm reduction. Her research combines behavioral science, technology, and substance use treatment to improve accessibility and real-world outcomes.

📍 Conference: Mid-Atlantic Cannabinoid Research Collaborative (MACRC) Conference 2025
🍃 Conference Focus: Therapeutic Benefits and Risks of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and Cannabinoid Medicines
💡 Keynote Title: The role and potential of cannabis harm reduction in minimizing adverse outcomes among priority populations
🔗 Details: https://www.m-acrc.org/2025-conference

We’re thrilled to see Dr. McClure representing the CRC and sharing her expertise on cannabinoid science and public health.

🔔 Be sure to catch her keynote next week, and follow along for updates and highlights from the conference!

10/30/2025

✨ Study Spotlight ✨

Our team at the Cannabinoid Research Collaborative has several paid research opportunities available!

We offer remote, in-person, and hybrid options so you can participate in the way that works best for you. All studies are confidential and judgment-free, and help us better understand how cannabis and other substances impact health and behavior. 🌿

💰 Compensation provided
📍 Conducted through the Medical University of South Carolina
👉 Swipe to see our current studies and find one that’s right for you!

10/10/2025

🌍💚 Today is World Mental Health Day, a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health.

At the Cannabinoid Research Collaborative, we’re dedicated to understanding how cannabis and related substances interact with the brain, behavior, and overall well-being. By advancing science in this area, our goal is to help inform safer, evidence-based approaches to mental health and substance use.

Let’s keep the conversation going today and every day about caring for our minds, supporting one another, and reducing stigma around mental health.

10/03/2025

Happy Fri-Yay!

Congratulations to Dr. Anna Kirkland on the recent publication of her study, “How Much is Enough? Assessing 30- vs. 60-Day Timeline Followback Stability in Youth Alcohol Use Patterns,” accepted in Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research. 🎉

As a member of both the Youth Collaborative and the Cannabinoid Research Collaborative, Dr. Kirkland recently shared this work with our team, sparking thoughtful discussion on how reporting timelines influence the stability of youth alcohol use data.

Another congratulations to the rest of the team who contributed to the publication: Dr. Pamela Ferguson, Tirza Alcala, Dr. Louise Mewton, Dr. Rachel Tomko, and Dr. Lindsay Squeglia. Together, their efforts are advancing the science of addiction and informing strategies to better understand and address youth substance use.

We are proud to celebrate this accomplishment and the impact of their contributions to the field. Way to go, team!

09/19/2025

💚 Gratitude Post! 💚

Last week, our teams at the MUSC Cannabinoid Research Collaborative, MUSC Youth Collaborative, & MUSC Addiction Sciences Division had the pleasure of hosting Lani Jumper, Charleston County Harm Reduction & Community Outreach Coordinator for WakeUp Carolina.

Lani led an engaging and informative presentation and Narcan training for our teams, equipping us with the knowledge and tools to respond to opioid overdoses and save lives. 🙌

WakeUp Carolina is doing vital work in our community, from prevention and education to harm reduction and recovery support. We are so grateful for their time, expertise, and ongoing commitment to keeping Charleston safe. 💗

👏 A huge thank-you to WakeUp Carolina and to Lani for sharing your time, knowledge, and passion with our team. Your work is making a real difference in our community!

📷 Photo Credit: Dr. Anna Kirkland (Thank you for the great pics!)

09/12/2025

Time for another Fun Fact Friday! Did you know...

CB1 receptors (where THC interacts with the brain) are among the most abundant receptors in the entire central nervous system.

These receptors play a key role in regulating pain, mood, appetite, memory, and even motor control. This wide distribution helps explain why cannabis can have such a variety of effects, from reducing pain to influencing emotions and cognition.

At the Cannabinoid Research Collaborative, we focus on how cannabis use affects people’s behavior, health, and well-being. This knowledge helps inform public health and guide future research.

📃 Learn more about CB1 receptors and the endocannabinoid system in this scientific review:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6770351/

08/22/2025

This summer was pretty amazing…thanks to the MUSC Entryway Team! They welcomed nearly 150 participants and helped connect them to the right research studies. 🧠💡

Instead of filling out multiple screeners, the Entryway team makes research easy with a one-stop visit that matches participants with their perfect fit study. We’re so grateful for the work they do to support both the Youth Collaborative and the Cannabinoid Research Collaborative. 💛

Interested in trying out a research study this fall? Text RESEARCH to 843-608-0514 or fill out the survey here > https://redcap.musc.edu/surveys/?s=CHFHALF8N7

08/22/2025

Had a blast meeting students and community members today at College of Charleston! 🎉 We loved sharing our study opportunities and research. Your participation help us learn more about brain development in young adults ages 13 and up. Help us make a difference! 🧠💡

Missed us? Don’t worry — we’ll be at Cougar Mall on February 12!

Reach out via DM or fill out our interest survey to get involved.

08/20/2025

🚨 New Research Article Alert! 🚨

Congratulations on another enlightening publication, Drs. Browning, Tomko, Ferguson, and Squeglia! 👏

Drs. Browning, Tomko, Kirkland, Ferguson, and Squeglia (along with collaborators) have a new published paper in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence Journal where they investigated differences in the oral microbiome (the bacteria in your mouth) between young adults with cannabis use disorder (CUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs).

They found that people with CUD had fewer types of oral bacteria (lower diversity) and different bacterial compositions compared to those without CUD. Within the CUD group, more frequent and heavier cannabis use was linked with lower diversity but higher amounts of strict anaerobes-a group of bacteria that thrive without oxygen and have been associated with negative health outcomes.

These results suggest that CUD is tied to specific shifts in the oral microbiome, and that frequent and heavy cannabis use may exacerbate these changes. Future research will explore how these changes may affect health and CUD-related outcomes.

Read more here > https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871625002753?via%3Dihub

08/19/2025

🙌 Testimonial Tuesday 🙌

Our participants say it best! We are committed to making the research process professional, confidential, and welcoming from the very first call.

✨ From clear communication to supportive staff, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

🌱 Interested in joining one of our cannabis research studies? Your participation helps advance science and could make a real difference for the future of health.

👉 Learn more and see if you qualify: https://redcap.musc.edu/surveys/?s=CHFHALF8N7

08/12/2025

🥳 Biggest congratulations to Drs. Perica, Squeglia, and Garcia! We couldn't be more proud of our award winning team! 🙌

Some highlights from the MUSC Youth Collaborative 2024-2025 Psychology Internship Program, congratulations to the following:

Dr. Maria Perica – John C. Roitzsch Memorial Scientist-Practitioner Award and Honorable Mention in the Internship Paper Competition
Dr. Lindsay Squeglia – Outstanding Research Mentor Award
Dr. Alexis Garcia – Outstanding Child Supervisor Award

08/08/2025

📊 Research Spotlight: Cannabis use is changing, and so are the groups of people using it.

A recent study in Preventive Medicine analyzed national data from 2015 to 2019 and found that past-month cannabis use increased among adults with a wide range of disabilities and health conditions. This includes people living with chronic pain, mobility limitations, and mental health concerns.

Researchers suggest this may reflect growing legal access, shifting public attitudes, and people turning to cannabis as a tool for symptom relief when other treatments may not work.

Understanding how and why people use cannabis helps inform more inclusive, responsive research and healthcare.

📃 Read the study here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743523003535