Nicole Bowles Lab
Research interests
The Bowles Lab investigates the complex relationships among stress, sleep, circadian rhythms, and physiological health, with a particular interest in cannabinoid signaling and the role of the endocannabinoid system in shaping these processes. Through the integration of intensive monitoring protocols, wearable technologies, laboratory-based assessments, and physiological biomarkers, our research seeks to understand how behavioral, environmental, and biological factors interact to influence health and performance.
Our current research spans two primary areas: (1) the impact of occupational schedules, shift work, and recovery on health and safety among firefighters and other safety-sensitive professions, and (2) the influence of cannabis use on sleep, circadian physiology, and stress regulation. Studies such as SWIFT investigate how work schedules, nighttime call burden, sleep disruption, and recovery influence health, safety, and performance outcomes, while COSMOS and CASS examine the bidirectional relationships among cannabis use, sleep, circadian rhythms, stress physiology, and well-being. Collectively, these studies aim to translate mechanistic discoveries into practical strategies that improve health, safety, performance, and recovery in real-world settings.
Research media
Current projects
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This study aims to evaluate the impact of the transition from the common 24-hour shifts to alternative shifts such as, but not limited to, the 1-3-2-3 or 48/96 shift models on the holistic health of firefighters and their partners. Both physiological and qualitative data are being collected to identify how different schedules influence factors such as sleep quality, cardiovascular stress, and mental health. The goal of these evaluations is to provide fire departments with insight into the impact of their current scheduling on their department and to mitigate occupational risks in the consideration of alternative shift schedules. This work is supported by the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center, a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Total Worker Health Center of Excellence [grant number U19OH010154]
Preliminary results from departments largely in Oregon and Utah has given insight into family dynamics and sleep and comparisons between 24/48, 1/3/2/3, and 48/96 schedules.
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The COSMOS study investigates how chronic cannabis and/or nicotine use disrupts the body’s biological rhythms and overall sleep quality. Participants undergo two weeks of at-home monitoring using wearable physiological measuring devices and daily diaries, followed by a single 14-hour laboratory visit to measure various physiological biomarkers, stress reactivity, and behavior. This study aims to investigate how cannabis and/or nicotine products impact natural rhythms and provide insight into long-term effects on cardiovascular health.
Eligibility criteria:- Participants must be free from any acute or chronic medical conditions, psychiatric illness or disorder, and must pass a health screening.
- Participants must not use any prescribed or over the counter medications, and must abstain from alcohol and caffeine use for the duration of the study.
- Aged 21-34
Compensation of up to $415
Participate in the study
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This study investigates how cannabis use affects sleep and how sleep, in turn, influences cannabis use. Over a three-week period, participants complete at-home monitoring to assess their sleep, daily mood, and cannabis use. Participants also complete 8 overnight visits in our sleep laboratory (with the ability to leave during the day), where we conduct more detailed measurements of sleep, heart and cardiovascular function, and cognitive performance. This study is funded by a National Institutes of Drug Abuse R01 (Grant number DA061251).
Eligibility criteria:
- Participants must be free from any acute or chronic medical conditions, psychiatric illness or disorder, and must pass a health screening.
- Participants must not use any prescribed or over the counter medications and have no recent shift work.
- Aged 21-29
Compensation of up to $2,200
Participate in teh study -
This feasibility study investigates whether virtual reality construction tasks can detect changes in performance caused by poor sleep. Participants first complete one week of at-home monitoring using wearable devices and sleep diaries to measure their typical sleep patterns. They then complete two eight-hour in-laboratory visits during which they perform a series of virtual reality construction tasks while their heart rate and blood pressure are monitored. The study will help determine whether virtual reality can be used to identify the effects of sleep loss on work-related performance and safety.
Eligibility criteria:
- Participants must be free from any acute or chronic medical conditions, psychiatric illness or disorder, and must pass a health screening.
- Participants must not use any prescribed or over the counter medications and have no recent shift work.
- Aged 21-49
Compensation of up to $600
Participation link coming soon -
This study examines how different forms of cannabis, including inhaled and edible products, affect performance on construction-related tasks. Participants complete four 8-hour laboratory visits during which they receive either cannabis or a placebo product before completing virtual reality construction activities and tests of attention, reaction time, and coordination. Throughout each visit, researchers collect blood, urine, saliva, and breath samples to determine how well thee measures identify recent cannabis use and relate to changes in performance.
Eligibility criteria:
- Participants must be free from any acute or chronic medical conditions, psychiatric illness or disorder, and must pass a health screening.
- Participants must not use any prescribed or over the counter medications and have no recent shift work.
- Aged 21-49
Compensation of up to $600
Participation link coming soon
Completed projects
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The purpose of the study was to understand how sleep and the effects of the body’s internal clock contribute to differences in the 24-hour profiles of blood pressure of black and white Americans. Results from this study so far have shown that the cortisol awakening response is primarily regulated by the body’s internal circadian clock, peaking in the early morning and diminishing later in the day, suggesting that individuals who wake at nonstandard times, such as shift workers, may experience a reduced physiological readiness to respond to stress. Additional results we will be posted at a later date.
Related publications:
The circadian system modulates the cortisol awakening response in humans
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The purpose of this study was to test the impact of an acute oral dose of dronabinol (THC) on sleep and mental processing in frequent compared to naïve cannabis users. Results from this study have shown that cannabis use is associated with shorter sleep time and greater sleep disruption, and that acute use before sleep results in greater sleep latency and weakened delta power dissipation in the first half of sleep time. This served as a feasibility study showcasing protocol around Δ9-THC administration in a circadian setting resulting in significant increases in cortical activation and decreases in parasympathetic activity. Results showed that cannabis use and sleep trouble had an inconsistent bidirectional relationship. This was evident during the stay-at-home order in how increased sleep trouble was linked to later hazardous cannabis use, while changes in cannabis use disorder symptoms did not indicate subsequent sleep alterations.
Related Publications:
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The purpose of this study was to document strain use, concentration, and means of cannabis exposure (i.e. edible, smoke, vaporized) among a population of adults seeking cannabis products for their sleep problems. To meet this goal, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted using the REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) Web app. The survey gathered data on demographics, cannabis use history, strain use, method of exposure, and information related to overall sleep quality and the specific sleep problem which the participant is seeking treatment. Results showed that using multiple substances together (like cannabis, alcohol, and cigarettes) was linked to worse overall sleep and less satisfaction with sleep, while heavier cannabis use alone was mainly tied to feeling sleepier during the day.
Related Publications:
Associations of cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco use combinations with sleep health
Research team
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Dr. Bowles received her PhD in Neuroendocrinology from Rockefeller University, where she studied the effects of stress on behavior and physiology using preclinical models. She subsequently completed a Master's degree in Clinical Epidemiology at Weill Cornell Medical College, where she was also a fellow in the Clinical and Translational Science Center's Community Engagement and Research Program (formerly CEDRIC), gaining training in epidemiology, clinical research methods, health disparities, and community-engaged research. She then completed postdoctoral training in sleep and circadian physiology at Oregon Health & Science University, where her work transitioned from basic stress biology to translational and human studies focused on sleep, circadian rhythms, cannabis use, and occupational health.
Outside the lab, Nicole can often be found at a spin class with the perfect playlist and is an aspiring sommelier with a particular affinity for Oregon's emerging sparkling wine scene. She also loves exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children, whether hiking Oregon’s forests and coastline, camping under the stars, or paddle boarding local lakes and rivers.
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Shelby holds a Master of Public Health in Health Management and Policy from the Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Hawaii Pacific University. She is also Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
Her research interests span public health and policy, community-based participatory research methods, and qualitative science. Outside of work, Shelby loves spending time outdoors with her family, playing golf, traveling—Japan and Austria are among her favorite destinations—and coloring.
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LaTroy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from Lewis & Clark College.
His primary research interests center on metabolic biochemistry as it relates to cannabis use, as well as the broader health impacts of cannabis use more generally. LaTroy is also passionate about increasing research dissemination and health messaging within BIPOC communities.
Outside of work, LaTroy enjoys Korean skincare, anime, dancing, and good food.
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Erin holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, with an emphasis in Neurobiology, from the University of Arizona.
Her primary research interests include health disparities in hypertension between white and Black Americans, the health impacts of shift work in firefighters, and the effects of cannabis use on sleep.
Outside of work, Erin enjoys reading, playing soccer, and traveling.
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Jane holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pacific University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Bakersfield.
Her primary research interests include the health impacts of stress, cardiometabolic health, sleep, and circadian biology. Jane also brings her clinical psychology training to bear on her work at the lab.
Outside of work, Jane enjoys spending time with her three lovely cats, running, reading, and playing futsal.
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Ayeisha holds a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Clinical Health Sciences, with a minor in Chemistry, from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health.
Her primary research interests include the health impacts of shift work in firefighters and the effects of cannabis use on sleep. Ayeisha is also skilled in visual art and graphic design, and applies these talents to promote research dissemination and health messaging.
Outside of work, Ayeisha enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, makeup, reading, and playing futsal.
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Cohen is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with minors in Neuroscience and Biology, at the University of Portland.
His research interests include neuropsychopharmacology, stress reactivity, treatment efficacy, and differences in pharmacological modalities.
Outside of research, Cohen enjoys reading, running, golfing, and music.
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Joey holds a Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College and a Master of Arts from Middlebury College.
His research interests include sleep science, circadian physiology, occupational health and policy, and data science and analysis, frequently drawing on Excel VBA and R programming.
Outside of research, Joey enjoys surfing, cycling, and traveling.
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David A. Reichenberger is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow who earned his PhD from Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Reichenberger's research investigates the interplay between health behaviors — such as digital media use and substance use — and sleep and cardiovascular health. He leverages advanced quantitative methodology to analyze intensive longitudinal data generated by wearable devices and passive sensing technology.
Outside of research, Dr. Reichenberger enjoys reading science fiction, watching spooky movies, riding his bike, and spending time with his cats.
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Dr. Blessing holds a Dr.rer.hum. in Medical Sciences, with a specialization in Experimental Pharmacology, and a Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology, both from Rostock University Medical Center in Germany.
Her research interests include cardiovascular health, the endocannabinoid system, and wet lab analysis.
Outside of research, Dr. Blessing enjoys running and spending time in nature.