The Hawn TRAC Lab has several research studies in the works! These include:
- Understanding various forms of trauma-specific self-medication (e.g., trauma-related drinking to cope and other consumption-to-cope activities)
- Trauma-Related Eating to Cope:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40655236/
- Trauma-Related Cannabis Use to Cope:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40354168/
- Trauma-Related Drinking to Cope 20-Item Version:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40568775/
- Studying the effects of self-medication on known biomarkers of disease and premature death (e.g., epigenetic aging, peripheral biomarkers of inflammation and neuropathology)
- Improving understanding of the full range of responses to trauma, including both adaptive (e.g., resilient) and adverse (e.g., PTSD) responses
- Examining shared genetic risk across ultra-processed food addiction and substance use disorders
Students and faculty collect and analyze data on these topics in preparation for conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal publications. Below is information about our current, collaborative, and recently completed research projects.