Teaching
I am module coordinator of 3rd year module PSYC347 - Psychoactive substances. The module aims to provide the student with an understanding of how psychoactive substances work in the brain, the effects they produce, and how this affects behaviour and broader society. We discuss historical uses of psychoactive substances, societal implications, psychopharmacological mechanisms of action, acute effects, abuse potential / dependence potential, consequences of long-term use, and potential therapeutic effects. We also discuss how the study of psychoactive substances has led to discoveries about our normal regulatory physiological functioning.
We cover a range of both animal and human research, and highlight the importance of studying centrally acting substances for development of novel treatments for various conditions (e.g., pharmacotherapy for addiction, cannabinoids for involuntary appetite loss, psychedelics for intractable depression). In addition we cover the importance of understanding harms associated with illicit drug use in order to inform public health policy and harm reduction strategies.
Modules for 2023-24
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Module code: PSYC133
Role: Teaching
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Module code: WIRR133
Role: Teaching
Biological Aspects of Psychology
Module code: PSYC733
Role: Teaching
PSYCHOBIOLOGY & MOTIVATION
Module code: PSYC233
Role: Teaching
Psychoactive Substances
Module code: PSYC347
Role: Module Co-ordinator
RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS 1
Module code: PSYC134
Role: Teaching
RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS 2
Module code: PSYC135
Role: Teaching
RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS 3
Module code: PSYC234
Role: Teaching
RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS 4
Module code: PSYC235
Role: Teaching
RESEARCH PROJECT
Module code: PSYC340
Role: Teaching