non ketamine users, and non drug users needed for UCL study

Welcome To

non ketamine users, and non drug users needed for UCL study

This topic is empty.

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

Author

Posts
October 31, 2006 at 11:16 am

#675796
1

Justin Grayer

@justin-grayer

Member
Hi,

You may have seen my other threads asking for people who use ketamine to volunteer for my thesis…

I am now looking for people who have never used drugs – as one of the control groups.

I am also looking for people who use drugs but do not use ketamine – as one of the control groups.

If you fit one of these groups and are interested in helping us understand more about the effects of ketamine please read the info below, PM or email (justin.grayer@ucl.ac.uk) me.

Thank you,

Justin

Hi,

I’m doing my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University College London (UCL), and my thesis is investigating the effects of ketamine on mental processing and personal experiences. I have been given permission by the administrators of this forum to post messages to see if any one would like to take part in the study. Before I continue, I would like to apologise in advance for any offence that may be caused by using your forum in this way. I also want to emphasise that this study is not being run by drug/pharmaceutical companies.

I am looking for people to participate who fall into either of these two groups:

1. Ketamine users (as well as other drugs) who use ketamine at least twice/month, for at least 1yr
2. Other drug users (EXcluding ketamine use) using drugs at least twice/month, for at least 1yr
3. Non-drug users (past and present)

The study takes about 1.5 – 2 hours, and comprises computer based tasks, as well as some pen and paper questionnaires, a drug history and a urine sample. (Participants will not be given drugs at the time of testing.) Your confidentiality will be assured.

In exchange for your time you will be paid £15.

Ideally, the study will take place at University College London (off Tottenham Court Road). However, if necessary I can meet people elsewhere. Testing can take place at pretty much anytime – week days and evenings, and weekends.

If you are interested and would like to know more please let me know, either on this forum or through a private message.

Thank you for reading.

Justin Grayer
Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Sub department of Clinical Health Psychology, UCL,
1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 6BT
November 5, 2006 at 7:13 pm

#726417
1

Justin Grayer

@justin-grayer

Member
Hi,

People on this site seem very reserved about the study I am working on, and I was wondering why? Perhaps people are worried about confidentiality etc..? If you have any questions, or suggestions about how I might be able to increase the likelihood of people taking part, please let me know.

Thank you,

Justin
November 5, 2006 at 7:17 pm

#726414
1

Acidfairy

@acidfairy

Member
It probably is alot to do with the confidentiality of it all to be honest Justin.

Nowadays people aren’t really willing to disclose to people they don’t know what they get up to at the weekend etc..

Maybe if you have some way of people being able to verify who you are by having someone they could contact might help..

Also the fact that you are wanting the study to take place in London may put some people off as well.. people on this forum come from all over the UK and the world and it can cost an awful lot for people to get to London..

All the best with your research.
November 5, 2006 at 8:45 pm

#726412
6

General Lighting

@general-lighting

Moderator
Staff
TBH although I think most people here are intelligent enough to have checked things out and have realised that you and your studies are legit it is partly as acidfairy said a combination of transport costs and a variety of other reasons.

Although I appreciate the funding constraints facing you, £15 isn’t really that much of an incentive to travel to London for what is essentially a 2 hour exam at a stuffy old University building with the added bonus of pissing into a carton.

also I think a lot of the heavier users do not actually want to be told of any potential mental health problems from ketamine use. “Ignorance is bliss”.

Further, they feel that any results from your research would either be used to justify further clampdowns on recreational ketamine use or if they produced positive results just ignored by the scientific community which is perceived to be heavily biased against recreational drug use.

I hope you do find some more volunteers, although sadly can’t suggest much; other than perhaps attending the dying throes of a squat party with some large individuals selected from the University Rugby team, bundling a few ketamized casualties into the back of a vehicles and taking them back to your lab. I fear that would probably breach your Ethics Guidelines though…
November 5, 2006 at 10:01 pm

#726413
1

globalloon

@globalloon

Member
i took part in another piece of research into drug use. the researcher visited me and paid me £40 for my trouble. by doing this in your chosen location, you are limiting people likely to respond massively. £15 would barely get you accross London, even if someone really wanted to take part, let alone attract people from other parts of the country

the results of the research I took part inshowed that the target group were largely able to self regulate drug use without any of the steroetypical ill effects. the research was roundly ignored by drug policy makers (not saying there’s no point, but it is frustrating)
November 7, 2006 at 6:43 pm

#726418
1

Justin Grayer

@justin-grayer

Member
You have some good points.

I’m aware that 15 quid isn’t that much, but unfortunately there isn’t anything I can do about it! Some people have said that the money has been an incentive, especially when they already have a travel card which covers their travel costs (within London).

I’m not really expecting people from outside London to take part, due to the cost and time. However, I have agreed with some people who don’t live too far from London that I may travel to them if I still need people in the New Year.

With respect to people not wanting to know of any potential effects of ketamine… I should make it clear that nobody will find out their individual results. I will post some information on the findings when my thesis has been completed, marked and resubmitted, which is likely to be towards the end of next year – this information will be based on the groups (k, poly-drug, non-drug) not on individuals. People can then contact me if they would like to know more about it.

I can understand that people might think that the results are only going to be used to implement a conservative policy towards ketamine use. However, given that ketamine has recently been classified, this concern has already, partly, occured. Additional research has the ability to either challenge that position, or if findings seem to confirm it, to enable anyone who is using ketamine to read the information for themselves and make their own conclusions. At least research enables a more informed, rather than tabloid discussion..!

Anyway, I hope this goes some way to answering peoples thoughts…

Thank you,

Justin
November 7, 2006 at 7:14 pm

#726415
1

raverbaby

@raverbaby

Member
well, im not an illegal drug user, but di drink, and maybe able to help you out but am currently in aberystwyth so travel would be a large issue.
November 8, 2006 at 4:21 pm

#726419
1

Justin Grayer

@justin-grayer

Member
raverbaby wrote:

well, im not an illegal drug user, but di drink, and maybe able to help you out but am currently in aberystwyth so travel would be a large issue.

Hi,

Thanks for the expression of interest. Unfortunately I need people who use drugs (yes, I know alcohol is a drug!) so that I can match them to the current drug use of the ketamine group…

Thanks again,

Justin
November 9, 2006 at 12:48 am

#726416
1

raverbaby

@raverbaby

Member
oh right i thought you wanted a control group of non drug users, no worries then.
November 15, 2006 at 6:45 pm

#726420
1

Justin Grayer

@justin-grayer

Member
raverbaby wrote:

oh right i thought you wanted a control group of non drug users, no worries then.

actually, you’re right! I must have missed that rather massive point, sorry! Although being in Wales is a bit of a problem. If you end up near London let me know…

Cheers,

Justin
Author

Posts

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.