Clinical trials
Ketamine clinical trials
Below are recruiting ketamine clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 154 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT03065335RecruitingPhase 1
Ketamine plus brain imaging to study response in depression
This early-stage study tests how ketamine given once and then repeatedly may change brain signals and related biomarkers in people with major depression. If you’re eligible, the team will use brain imaging and assessments to see who responds and why.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–65 - NCT07427446RecruitingPhase 4
Calming drugs for children after heart catheterization
This trial compares two combinations of sedative medicines (dexmedetomidine with midazolam versus ketamine with midazolam) to see which better prevents confusion or agitation when a child wakes up after a heart catheterization procedure. It may help your child recover more calmly.
CairoAges 2–6 - NCT07429916RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Ketamine for shoulder pain after weight loss surgery
This trial tests if a single dose of ketamine, given during surgery, can reduce common shoulder pain after laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery. If you are having this weight-loss procedure and meet the weight and health criteria, this study may help improve your recovery.
IrbidAges 18–60 - NCT07482709RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Nerve block with or without ketamine for hysterectomy pain
This study compares two ways to reduce pain after a hysterectomy: a standard nerve block with bupivacaine (a numbing medicine) versus the same block plus ketamine (a medicine that can boost pain relief). The goal is to see if adding ketamine provides better comfort after surgery.
Karachi, SindhAges 25–65 - NCT07669012RecruitingPhase 1
Sedation comparison for child heart hole repair
This study compares two sedation combinations (ketamine-propofol vs. dexmedetomidine-propofol) in children having a heart catheter procedure to close a simple hole or opening. The goal is to see which combination provides safer, more comfortable sedation.
CairoAges 2–12 - NCT06736769Enrolling by invitationPhase 2
Ketamine and learning in eating disorders
This study tests whether a single dose of ketamine can help people with anorexia nervosa learn new ways of thinking about food and body image during recovery. You may be eligible if you are a teenager or young adult currently hospitalized for malnutrition.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 16–26 - NCT06179485Enrolling by invitation
Ketamine vs. Etomidate for emergency breathing tube: long-term study
This study compares how two common medicines (ketamine and etomidate) used during emergency breathing tube placement affect long-term recovery. It is only for patients already enrolled in another related trial.
Birmingham, AlabamaAges 18 years+ - NCT05565352Enrolling by invitation
Ketamine safety study for people in inpatient psychiatric care
This trial looks at whether ketamine is safe and well-tolerated for certain mental health conditions when given in a hospital setting. It may help teams better understand side effects and comfort for people who may be offered ketamine.
GdanskAges 18–90 - NCT05477004Enrolling by invitation
Study of ketamine infusions for ongoing chronic pain
This study is observing people with chronic pain who are getting ketamine infusions at Stanford. You may help by completing email surveys about how you feel, which can help the team understand the treatment’s impact.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05212571Enrolling by invitation
IV esketamine to improve long-term pain in CRPS
This study looks at whether giving esketamine through a vein can help reduce long-term pain in people with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). You may be able to join if your CRPS diagnosis matches specific international criteria and you can safely take the study medicine.
Rotterdam, South HollandAges 18 years+ - NCT06824532Recruiting
Veterans' views on ketamine therapy for depression and end-of-life
This study surveys older veterans to understand their perceptions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for depression and end-of-life distress. Your responses may help improve care for veterans facing similar challenges.
Albany, New YorkAges 65 years+ - NCT06725277Recruiting
Observing ketamine and Spravato for depression
This study follows people who are already taking or about to start IV ketamine or Spravato® for hard-to-treat depression. Researchers want to learn more about how these treatments work in real life.
Milford, ConnecticutAges Any age - NCT07476482Enrolling by invitation
Shared decision-making during planned C-section under spinal anesthesia
This trial tests whether involving you in decisions during your planned C-section can improve your experience. You will be awake under spinal anesthesia and the study focuses on helping you feel more in control.
AlexandriaAges 18 years+ - NCT07120477RecruitingPhase 4
Esketamine vs crisis planning vs usual care for suicide prevention
This trial compares three approaches to help people who recently tried to kill themselves or have strong suicidal thoughts: a nasal spray called esketamine, a personalized crisis response plan, or the best standard care available. It aims to find which method works best for preventing future suicide attempts.
Indaiatuba, São PauloAges 14 years+ - NCT05403086RecruitingPhase 2
Psilocybin for distress in people with serious, life-limiting illness
This Phase 2 study tests whether psilocybin therapy can reduce deep distress (“demoralization”) in people receiving palliative (comfort-focused) care. It may help with mood and well-being, but you must meet safety and medication requirements to join.
Greenbrae, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06526078Enrolling by invitation
Combining brain training with ketamine for depression
This study tests if adding computer-based cognitive training to ketamine treatment can improve mood in people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. It aims to see if the combination works better than ketamine alone.
Oakland, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT07564531Recruiting
Safe sedation for heart catheterization in children
This study tests whether a combination of two sedative medications (dexmedetomidine and ketamine) works safely and effectively to keep children calm and still during heart catheterization—a procedure where a thin tube is guided through blood vessels to the heart for diagnosis or treatment.
HanoiAges Up to 18 years - NCT05864053RecruitingPhase 1/Phase 2
Ketamine medicine trial for chronic nerve pain in adults
This Phase 1/2 study tests hydroxynorketamine (a related ketamine-type medicine) to see if it can reduce chronic nerve pain in the arms or legs. You may be able to join if you have nerve pain for more than 3 months and meet safety and health check requirements.
Chicago, IllinoisAges 18–75 - NCT07410078Recruiting
Comparing medicines given before surgery for children
This trial compares different medicines given by mouth before surgery to see which works best to help children relax and have less pain. If your child is having day surgery, this study might help find the best pre-surgery medicine for them.
AnkaraAges 4–12 - NCT07563868Recruiting
Coaching to help ketamine therapy for hard-to-treat depression
This study tests whether adding coaching sessions can help people who are already getting ketamine or esketamine treatment for depression that hasn't responded to other medications. You'd receive weekly coaching calls designed to support your recovery while you continue your regular ketamine clinic visits.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18 years+ - NCT07706478Recruiting
Ketamine and Talk Therapy for Tough Depression
This trial tests whether a combination of ketamine (given through an IV) and talk therapy can help people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. If you have tried multiple antidepressants and therapy without success, this study may offer a new option.
Doorn, UtrechtAges 18–70 - NCT03427736Recruiting
Studying pain and numbing medicines in children
This trial looks at how well different numbing and pain-relief medicines work in children during routine care. It may help doctors choose safer, better pain control for kids who need these medicines.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges birth–17 years - NCT03735563RecruitingPhase 4
Less invasive surfactant timing with different pre-medications
This study tests whether giving a pre-medication before a less invasive lung treatment (surfactant) improves breathing in premature babies. It may help some babies avoid more invasive ventilation while still getting the lung medication they need.
OuluAges Any age - NCT03973268RecruitingPhase 1
Ketamine study to understand treatment response in hard-to-treat depression
This early-stage study tests ketamine and looks at what brain changes may explain why it helps people with major depression that hasn’t improved with usual treatments. You may be asked to stay in the hospital and complete detailed interviews, mood rating scales, and brain imaging.
Bethesda, MarylandAges 18–70
Hear when a new Ketamine trial opens
We’ll email you when one opens — at most once a week, no account needed, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for ketamine?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 154 recruiting ketamine studies from the U.S. registry, each rewritten for real people, not researchers, so you can see what it’s testing and who it’s for.
- How do I know if I qualify for a ketamine trial?
- Each study lists its eligibility criteria — rules about age, diagnosis, and prior treatments. On every Clin2 trial page we explain these in words written for real people and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Does it cost anything to join a ketamine trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what’s covered before you decide.
Related conditions
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.