Yasmin Hurd is one of the world's leading researchers on cannabis, addiction, and the developing brain. Her laboratory at Mount Sinai has produced landmark findings on CBD as a treatment for opioid use disorder, the transgenerational effects of prenatal cannabis exposure, and the neurobiology of addiction. Her 2019 NEJM paper demonstrating CBD's efficacy for heroin craving reduction was a watershed moment for cannabinoid medicine. Hurd is a vocal advocate for evidence-based cannabis policy and has testified before the US Senate and FDA on cannabis regulation. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and has received the NIDA Director's Award for her contributions to addiction neuroscience.
2Established that prenatal cannabis exposure alters fetal brain development and increases addiction risk
3Identified CBD's mechanism of action in opioid craving via amygdala-prefrontal circuits
4Demonstrated transgenerational epigenetic effects of cannabis exposure in animal models
5Led development of CBD as an FDA Breakthrough Therapy for opioid use disorder
Selected Publications
Cannabidiol for the Reduction of Cue-Induced Craving and Anxiety in Drug-Abstinent Individuals with Heroin Use Disorder
890 citations
American Journal of Psychiatry · 2019
Double-blind RCT showing CBD (400mg or 800mg) significantly reduced cue-induced craving and anxiety in heroin-abstinent individuals compared to placebo. Effects persisted for 7 days after the last CBD dose. Salivary cortisol and heart rate were also reduced. This was the first RCT of CBD for opioid use disorder.
Prenatal Cannabis Exposure — The "First Hit" to the Endocannabinoid System
312 citations
Neurotoxicology and Teratology · 2020
Review of preclinical and epidemiological evidence showing prenatal cannabis exposure disrupts endocannabinoid system development, alters fetal brain gene expression, and increases risk of psychiatric disorders and addiction in offspring. Proposes a "first hit" model of developmental vulnerability.
Postmortem human brain study identifying specific striatal gene expression changes in heroin addiction, including alterations in opioid receptor, dopamine, and glutamate signaling. Established the molecular basis for striatal dysfunction in opioid addiction.
