Welcome to Dr. Paynes Lab
At the Neural Underpinnings Research and Applications Lab (NURAL)—also known as the Payne Lab—our mission is to uncover the neural foundations of physiological and psychological processes and translate that understanding into better treatments for medical conditions, with an emphasis on substance use disorders (SUDs). Addiction is a multifaceted and challenging problem that needs new solutions empowered by an improved understanding of the physiological and psychological underpinnings of SUDs.
While a majority of our work has focused on SUDs, some of our more recent research explores how the prefrontal cortex (PFC) contributes to belief-dependent health outcomes such as the placebo effect—and how these positive responses can be intentionally activated through training and intervention. Our hope is to empower patients with accessible tools for tapping into the evidence-based benefits from the mind-body connections demonstrated so ubiquitously in the placebo response and intentionally gain placebo-like benefits in physical and mental functioning.
Dr. Andrew Payne
Join Our Research Team
We’re always looking for motivated, self-driven, and curious students who are eager to contribute to meaningful research. Members of the NURAL team are expected to dedicate 2–3 hours per week, maintain professionalism, and take ownership of their projects.
Dr. Payne is highly responsive to student messages and provides frequent guidance and mentorship. Whether or not you have prior experience, you are capable of conducting high-quality research—and we’re here to help you get there.
Current Projects
| Short Name | Brief Description |
|---|---|
| PFC & Belief-Dependent Interventions | Exploring how PFC activity contributes to positive placebo effects, and designing brain training programs to strengthen PFC function. |
| Tirzepatide to Reduce Alcohol and Cigarette Use | Clinical trial testing whether the GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide can help reduce alcohol and tobacco use. |
| Resveratrol in Opioid Tolerance | RCT testing if resveratrol can prevent opioid tolerance, based on promising preclinical data. |
| EEG Team | Conducting EEG brain scans at treatment centers in Heber and Park City to study opioid use disorder. |
| Protein Modeling | Using computational modeling to identify ligand binding sites and develop new drugs. |
| Cx36 Paper | Data analysis and publication of findings on Connexin 36 (Cx36) and its role in alcohol-related neurophysiology. |
| Resveratrol Review | Writing a literature review on resveratrol and its connection to substance use disorders. |
| KCC2 Regulation Review | Reviewing physiological pathways that regulate KCC2 expression. |
| KCC2, Diet, and Exercise Review | Reviewing how diet and exercise influence KCC2 activity and neurological health. |
| Soluble Membrane Protein Collaboration | Collaborative project attempting to solubilize KCC2 for cell membrane integration—includes microscopy and cell culture work. |
