Can thinking ahead and sound waves ease pain and cravings?

This study explores two experimental methods—Episodic Future Thinking (imagining positive future events) and Low-intensity Focused Ultrasound (using sound waves on the brain)—to see if they can reduce pain and alcohol cravings in people with both chronic pain and alcohol use disorder. Ten adults will complete tasks and rate their pain and alcohol desire before and after each intervention. The goal is to understand how these approaches affect decision-making and pain perception, not to provide a treatment.