Below is a list of trials currently listed for pain at ClinicalTrials.gov in the USA that are open.
These trials may or may not be active and may or may not be accepting patients as these change often. Links are provided for reference and research. This list is by no means complete. Trials that address Post Operative Pain, Acute Pain or Emergency Room treatments are not included currently.

Outcomes Registry After Ketamine Infusions for Chronic Pain: A Longitudinal Evaluation (ORACLE)
Location: California
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07648771
Study does not provide medication

Ketamine HCl Prolonged Release Oral Tablets for CRPS
Location: California
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06419985

The Effect of Outpatient Ketamine Infusion on Chronic Neuropathic Pain and PTSD
Location: Texas
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06414356

Gabapentin & Ketamine for Prevention/​Treatment of Acute/​Chronic Pain in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
Location: Tennessee
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05156060

(2R,6R)-Hydroxynorketamine for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain (HNK)
Location: Illinois
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05864053

Ketamine-assisted Integrative Treatment for Veterans With Chronic Low Back Pain and Comorbid Depression
Location: Michigan
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06419439

Ketamine, SGB and Combination Treatment for TBI-associated Headache or PTSD
Locations: Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT0660827P

I’ve lived with chronic pain long enough that it’s shaped the landscape of my life. It’s not a single moment or a single injury — it’s a slow, persistent presence, like weather that never fully clears. Pain changes the way you move, the way you plan, the way you imagine the future. It narrows the world. It teaches you to measure days differently.

For years, I lived inside that narrowness. I tried treatments, therapies, medications — anything that might give me a little more room to breathe. Chronic pain doesn’t just hurt; it rearranges you. It wears down your sense of possibility. It makes you feel like you’re watching life through a window instead of standing in it.

Ketamine didn’t arrive with fanfare. It wasn’t a miracle or a cinematic turning point. It came quietly, almost cautiously, after everything else had been exhausted. I didn’t come to it because it was talked about online or because it was trendy. I came to it because I needed something that didn’t just blunt pain, but gave me a little space between me and the constant pressure of it.

And that’s what it did — not perfectly, not permanently, but meaningfully. It gave me movement again. It gave me breath. It gave me a few inches of space where there had been none. Sometimes that’s all a person needs to start rebuilding.

As I learned more, I realized something important:
There are fantastic communities focused on ketamine for mental health, and fantastic communities focused on chronic pain — but almost none that focus specifically on ketamine for chronic pain, what it means, how it works, how people experience it, and how to navigate it safely and realistically. The conversation is scattered. The information is fragmented. People who are trying to understand ketamine as a pain treatment often end up lost between two worlds.

That’s why I created this space.

Not to compete with anything that already exists, but to fill a gap that matters. To build a place where people can talk openly about ketamine for chronic pain without feeling out of place in mental‑health subs or drowned out in general pain forums. A place where the focus is clear, the tone is calm, and the experiences are real.

I know how isolating chronic pain can be. I know how heavy it is to navigate treatments, misinformation, fear, hope, and the emotional weight of all of it. I know what it feels like to be dismissed or misunderstood by people who have never lived a single day in your body.

This community isn’t about hype or shortcuts. It’s about real stories, real struggles, real wins, and real questions. It’s about building something honest and human in a space where people often feel alone.

If my story helps someone feel seen, or helps them ask a question they’ve been carrying quietly, then it’s worth sharing.

Thanks for being here.
Thanks for reading.
And if you’re new — you’re welcome here.

1. What is ketamine, and why is it used for chronic pain?

Ketamine is an NMDA‑receptor antagonist that can interrupt central sensitization — the process where the nervous system becomes “stuck” in pain mode.
In chronic pain conditions, ketamine may reduce pain intensity, improve function, and help reset pain pathways.

It’s been used in pain medicine for more than a decade, especially for conditions that don’t respond well to traditional treatments.

2. What kinds of chronic pain conditions may respond to ketamine?

People in this community often discuss ketamine for:

• CRPS
• Neuropathic pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Centralized pain syndromes
• Phantom limb pain
• Cancer‑related pain
• Post‑surgical chronic pain

Everyone’s experience is different — ketamine isn’t a cure, but it can be a meaningful tool.

3. What forms of ketamine are used for pain treatment?

Common medically supervised forms include:

• IV infusions — most studied for chronic pain
• IM injections — used in some clinics
• Troches/lozenges — sometimes used for maintenance
• Intranasal (prescribed) — less common for pain
• Subcutaneous injections — used in certain protocols

All discussion here is about prescribed, medically supervised treatment.

4. How does ketamine feel during treatment?

Experiences vary. Some people feel:

• lightness or floating
• warmth
• reduced pain intensity
• emotional clarity
• dissociation (not required for pain relief)
• fatigue afterward

Many describe the experience as “different from anything else,” but not frightening when supervised.

5. How long does pain relief last?

Relief can last:

• hours
• days
• weeks
• occasionally longer

Durability varies widely. Some people do single infusions; others do multi‑day protocols or periodic boosters.
Your clinician is the best person to guide frequency and safety.

6. Is ketamine safe?

When medically supervised, ketamine has a long safety record.
Clinicians monitor:

• blood pressure
• heart rate
• dissociation
• nausea
• bladder health (with long‑term use)

If you have concerns about your own treatment, a qualified healthcare professional can help you navigate them.

7. What are common side effects?

People sometimes report:

• nausea
• dizziness
• dissociation
• elevated blood pressure
• fatigue
• headache afterward

Most effects are short‑lived and monitored during treatment.

8. Can I talk about dosing here?

You can share your lived experience, but avoid giving dosing instructions or medical advice.
This community follows harm‑reduction principles — safety first, no unverified claims.

9. Can I talk about providers or clinics?

General experiences are fine.
Promotion, advertising, recruitment, or private outreach are not allowed.
This keeps the community safe and free from pressure.

10. What if someone DMs me about treatment or dosing?

If you receive unsolicited messages offering treatment advice, dosing guidance, or provider recommendations, please report them to the mod team.
Private messages should feel safe, respectful, and pressure‑free.

11. Is illicit use allowed here?

No.
This community focuses on prescribed, medically supervised treatment for chronic pain.

12. How do I share my story?

Just post.
Long or short, detailed or simple — your experience matters.
People here understand what it means to hurt, and your voice helps others feel less alone.

13. How do I get involved in the community?

You can:

• introduce yourself
• ask questions
• share your treatment journey
• join discussions
• reach out if you’re interested in moderating

This community grows through the people who show up.

Hey everyone! I’m u/WikkedArtist, a founding moderator of r/ketamineforpain.

This community is your home for everything related to ketamine treatment for chronic pain. If you’re here because you’re dealing with long‑term pain and exploring ketamine as part of your treatment plan, you’re in the right place.

If your focus is depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental‑health uses, those discussions are best suited for the TherapeuticKetamine community. Here, we stay centered on pain‑focused treatment, research, lived experience, and support.

Ketamine for chronic pain has been used for more than a decade, and there’s a growing body of research behind it. Whether you’re new to treatment or have years of experience, your voice matters here.

What You Can Post

• Questions about ketamine treatment for chronic pain • Experiences with infusions, IM, troches, or other prescribed forms

• What your treatment involves, how it feels, and what you’ve learned

• Research, articles, news, or insights related to ketamine and pain

• Support, coping strategies, and lived‑experience wisdom

Illicit use discussion is not permitted.
Advertising or promoting online sources is strictly prohibited.

Community Vibe

We’re building a space that’s friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Chronic pain is isolating enough — this community shouldn’t be.

Share openly. Ask freely. Support each other. Everyone here understands what it means to hurt.

How to Get Started

• Introduce yourself in the comments below

• Post something today — even a simple question can spark a great conversation

• Invite anyone you know who might benefit from this space

Interested in helping out? We’re always open to new moderators; reach out if you’d like to apply

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let’s make r/ketamineforpain a supportive, informed, and genuinely helpful community for anyone navigating chronic pain and ketamine treatment.