My research program focuses on developing a better understanding of the clinical, cognitive, and underlying neurobiological mechanisms associated with substance use. My passion for this research is fueled by my optimism that this work will lead to much needed novel and efficacious treatment approaches for people suffering from these addictive disorders. To accomplish this goal, my lab administers comprehensive clinical and cognitive assessments, employs multimodal neuroimaging techniques such as MRI and PET, and quantifies various biological substrates (e.g., endocannabinoids). Using controlled abstinence paradigms, we aim to model the longitudinal trajectory during protracted abstinence to identify predictors of relapse as well as the time-course of clinical, cognitive, and neural recovery. Findings from this work may help identify novel therapeutic targets as well as pinpoint optimal windows for intervention to improve the long-term prognosis of individuals suffering from substance use disorders.

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Dr. Rabin received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from McGill University and her Masters and PhD in Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the Department of Psychiatry before joining McGill University as an Assistant Professor in 2020.

• Fonds de Recherche Santé Québec – Young Investigator Award Junior 1
• American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Travel Award
• Society for Biological Psychiatry Travel Award
• T32 Institutional Training Grant (2017, 2018, 2019) – Drug Abuse Training Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (2016) – Canadian Institute of Health Research

We are currently accepting inquiries for a Research Assistant position. We are also interested in mentoring undergraduate and graduate trainees. Those interested should send a cover letter and CV to: rachel.rabin@mcgill.ca 

Key publications

Nadler E, Jacobus J, Rabin RA (2024). Prenatal Cannabis and Tobacco Co-exposure and its Association with Behavioural Outcomes in Middle Childhood. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, in press.

Yeap Z, Baaj L, George TP, Mizrahi R, Rabin RA (2024). Characterizing the Cannabis Withdrawal Trajectory in Men with Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Use: A Preliminary Study. Canadian Journal of Addiction, in press.

Yeap Z, Marsault M, George TP, Mizrahi R, Rabin RA (2023). Does Tobacco Dependence Worsen Cannabis Withdrawal in People with and without Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders? The American Journal on Addiction, 32 (4).

Rabin RA, Mackey S, Parvaz MA, Cousijn J, Li CS, Pearlson G, Schmaal L, Sinha R, Stein E, Veltman D, Thompson PM, Conrod P, Garavan H, Alia-Klein N, and Goldstein RZ (2020). Common and Sex-Specific Associations with Cocaine Use on Gray Matter Volume: Data from the ENIGMA Addiction Working Group, Human Brain Mapping, 43, 543.

Rabin RA, Kozak K, Zakzanis KK, Remington G, George TP (2018). Effects of Extended Cannabis Abstinence on Clinical Symptoms in Cannabis Dependent Schizophrenia Patients Versus Non-Psychiatric Controls. Schizophrenia Research, 194, 55-61.

Rabin RA, Barr MS, Goodman MS, Herman Y, Kiang M, Zakzanis KK, Kish SJ, Remington G, George TP (2017). Effects of Extended Cannabis Abstinence on Cognitive Outcomes in Cannabis Dependent Schizophrenia Patients and Non-Psychiatric Controls. Neuropsychopharmacology, 42, 2259-2271.

Rabin RA and George TP (2015). A Review of Co-Morbid Tobacco and Cannabis Use Disorders: Possible Mechanisms to Explain the High Rates of Co-Use. The American Journal on Addictions, 24, 105-116.