Photo of Dr Carl Roberts

Dr Carl Roberts PhD, MRes, BSc

Senior Lecturer Psychology

Teaching

I am module coordinator of 3rd year module PSYC347 - Psychoactive substances. The module aims to provide the student with an understanding of how psychoactive substances work in the brain, the effects they produce, and how this affects behaviour and broader society. We discuss historical uses of psychoactive substances, societal implications, psychopharmacological mechanisms of action, acute effects, abuse potential / dependence potential, consequences of long-term use, and potential therapeutic effects. We also discuss how the study of psychoactive substances has led to discoveries about our normal regulatory physiological functioning.

We cover a range of both animal and human research, and highlight the importance of studying centrally acting substances for development of novel treatments for various conditions (e.g., pharmacotherapy for addiction, cannabinoids for involuntary appetite loss, psychedelics for intractable depression). In addition we cover the importance of understanding harms associated with illicit drug use in order to inform public health policy and harm reduction strategies.

Modules for 2023-24

BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Module code: PSYC133

Role: Teaching

BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Module code: WIRR133

Role: Teaching

Biological Aspects of Psychology

Module code: PSYC733

Role: Teaching

PSYCHOBIOLOGY & MOTIVATION

Module code: PSYC233

Role: Teaching

Psychoactive Substances

Module code: PSYC347

Role: Module Co-ordinator

RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS 1

Module code: PSYC134

Role: Teaching

RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS 2

Module code: PSYC135

Role: Teaching

RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS 3

Module code: PSYC234

Role: Teaching

RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS 4

Module code: PSYC235

Role: Teaching

RESEARCH PROJECT

Module code: PSYC340

Role: Teaching