My primary interest is in the potential of cannabinoids in treating diseases such as epilepsy, cancer, dementia and pain and in the development of new drugs from plant-based cannabinoids. To this end, I oversee a large team of world-class scientists and students with skills in medicinal chemistry, cellular pharmacology, animal models of disease, human psychopharmacology and clinical trials.

I also have broad general research interests in human and preclinical psychopharmacology. I am particularly interested in the neuropeptide oxytocin and the development of small molecules that stimulate the brain oxytocin system to modulate social and addictive behaviours.

An additional interest is in characterising the effects of novel psychoactive substances such as synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones and novel hallucinogens.

Finally, the lab also does work in the area of pheromones and the olfactory system.