The Changing Activity, Substance Use, and Health lab (CASHlab) is a research team in the Department of Psychology at James Madison University. The CASHlab is involved in a variety of research projects primarily focused on health choices and basic physiological and learning processes associated with substance use that may inform intervention. We are also interested in developing and testing behavioral interventions for health risk behaviors including substance use and inactivity.

Here is a list of some of our current and recent research topics:

• Potential health effects (therapeutic and/or detrimental) of cannabinoids alone and co-administered with other compounds

• Contingency Management for a variety of health behaviors (e.g., substance use, physical activity, smartphone use, social media use, sunscreen use, video-gaming)

• Factors that affect relative reinforcing efficacy of substances, food, etc.

• Effects of physiological states (e.g., drug priming, sleep deprivation) on health choices

• Cue-induced withdrawal and its effects on health choices

• Transactional Sex as a health risk behavior

• Measurement development and validity testing for health behaviors 

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The members of the CASHlab stand against injustice and systemic racism in all its forms. We acknowledge that scientists measure that about which they care and we will honor our values through our science. We vow to engage in our science in ways that promote discovery that considers individuals from traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds and that has the potential to benefit those individuals.

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Below you will find information about getting involved with research in the CASHlab. You do not have to be a psychology major to get involved, and you may receive course credit for lab membership. Students interested in working with the lab for a Masters degree should visit the Psychological Sciences program site (linked below) to apply.