I've been in a clinical study for 16 days now and I'm finally being released! The study was to determine the recreational potential of a new drug they want to use to treat ADHD. I participated because I was compensated very nicely. The drug was compared to amphetamine and placebo in a double-blind experiment with myself and a few dozen other subjects. They already have determined that the drug is effective, they are now only trying to determine the recreational potential. So they do actually give us recreational-sized doses. We dosed every other day with not much happening in the 'washout days' (days between). They have wifi for the subjects and you can bring your phone, laptop, books, etc. to extertain yourself. You wear scrubs the whole time and are only known to the staff by your initials as to not inadvertently release any medical information. There are no visitors. Your food intake and general behavior is also pretty closely monitored. The typical dosing day consisted of measuring of vitals and taking small blood samples every 30 minutes most of the day and recording any side effects, but most importantly taking tests about how 'fun' the drug is or how 'high' we felt at that specific moment. Typical 'washout days' where we did not dose consisted of one measuring of vitals in the morning and then pretty much free time all day. For me it was lots of video games and reading. I also discovered Hubski and hope to spend more time here! I do like the design and philosophy and thought put into it. I missed my girlfriend and the comfort of my own bed, and the freedom of being able to eat and sleep when I want. I value little freedoms and kind of go crazy in here, I definitely would not do well in any kind of incarceration. But tonight I will be sleeping in my own bed at last.
Update: 2 feet of snow fell last night to this morning. I knew it was going to be a long, wet day. But I'm so happy to be free, the snow can't put a damper on my cheerfulness. I told my girlfriend not to pick me up because the roads are way dangerous. Was reading about a 15 car pileup on the freeway involving an ambulance. Got released around 10am, should be home around 4pm! It's 3pm now and I'm close to my last train stop. Royal pain in the ass carrying all this stuff - all the necessities I needed for the last 2.5 weeks minus clothes because you wear the scrubs they give you. I'm thinking of writing a short article to share my experience as a human lab rat for experimental drugs. Where's a good place to host it?