RESEARCH

As a research and teaching clinic, we are proud to work in close collaboration with our university partners to drive meaningful change in the Canadian health care landscape. Our research is focused on enhancing patient care, improving access to health care services, and informing policy decisions that shape the future of health in Canada. We are committed to advancing knowledge and advocating for evidence-based solutions through our ongoing projects.

Below is a list of current research initiatives. If you're interested in participating or learning more, we welcome you to reach out and get involved.

AN EXPLORATORY CASE STUDY OF THE EXPERIENCE OF EMOTIONS IN ADULT WOMEN WITH ADHD

ADHD is often seen through the lens of attention and behaviour—but what about emotion? For many women diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, the most challenging symptoms aren’t just inattention or impulsivity, but difficulties with understanding, managing, and expressing emotions. This study explores how women with ADHD experience both emotional dysregulation and emotional competence—and how those emotional patterns shape their self-image, relationships, and daily life. 

Study design

Participants will share their experiences through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, helping researchers uncover how emotions are used, suppressed, or misunderstood—and what women wish they’d known earlier in life. This research goes beyond the diagnostic checklist to ask bigger questions: What if emotional competence could be the missing piece in ADHD treatment? What if early support in this area could change the trajectory for girls at risk of being overlooked?

Why this matters:
Findings from this study may help clinicians, educators, and caregivers recognise the emotional signs of ADHD earlier—especially in girls who often go undiagnosed. It could also reshape how we treat ADHD, by promoting strength-based interventions that build emotional awareness, regulation, and resilience. The ultimate goal? To not only reduce distress, but to help women and girls with ADHD thrive—socially, academically, and emotionally—at every stage of life.

Want to participate or learn more?
Contact Principal Investigator Alina Lyons at alina.lyons@mail.utoronto.ca.

Study approved by the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board. 

MICRODOSING PSYCHEDELICS FOR IMPROVING EXECUTIVE FUNCTION: IS THE EVIDENCE CATCHING UP TO THE HYPE? 

Psychedelic drugs have recently gained attention in both recreational and scientific communities. There is growing interest in understanding how microdosing—taking small, sub-hallucinogenic doses of substances like psilocybin or LSD—might influence focus and attentional capacities, particularly in individuals with ADHD. Self-reported data suggests an increasing number of people microdose to enhance productivity and focus, although evidence remains mixed. These findings highlight the need for rigorously controlled clinical trials to clarify the effects of microdosing on cognitive functions while accounting for placebo and expectancy influences.

One example of such research is a recently completed randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 study (NCT05259943) investigating the safety and efficacy of low doses of psilocybin. Participants undergo attention and response inhibition tests, including the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) and Metronome Response Task (MRT). The study protocol involves administering one dose of either placebo or psilocybin weekly for four weeks, followed by psilocybin for an additional four weeks. 

The increasing accessibility and popularity of microdosing underscore the urgent need for robust research to match the enthusiasm and commercialization surrounding these treatments, particularly for individuals with ADHD. To learn more about ongoing studies or to volunteer, visit psychedelicscience.ca.