Khalsa Lab
Advancing neuroscience-based treatments for anxiety and eating disorders through brain-body research
Welcome
We study heart-brain and gut-brain interactions using an experimental medicine framework and pharmacological modulation of the heartbeat combined with brain imaging, EEG, and computational modeling. Our goal is to understand how dysregulated organ communication contributes to anxiety and eating disorders, and to identify new neuroscience-based treatments. We have begun examining gut-brain relationships using non-invasive probes of gut mechanosensation in eating disorders.
Research Highlights
Heart-Brain Interoception & Anxiety Disorders
Examining how pharmacological stimulation of the heartbeat dysregulates brain circuits and drives anxiety, with a focus on identifying neural targets for treatment.
Gut-Brain Interoception & Anorexia Nervosa
Using minimally invasive probes of gut mechanosensation and computational modeling to examine gut-brain signaling in anorexia nervosa and disorders of gut-brain interaction.
Floatation-REST as a Novel Psychiatric Treatment
Investigating Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (floatation-REST) as an anxiety and body image treatment in anorexia nervosa, anxiety, and depression.
Computational Psychiatry & Interoceptive Inference
Applying active inference and Bayesian computational models to characterise how individuals with psychiatric disorders fail to adaptively regulate interoceptive precision.
News & Announcements
Affiliations
