Cleveland Clinic Study Finds Ketamine Infusions Safe and Effective for Chronic Pain Relief

Cleveland Clinic has published real-world evidence indicating that subanesthetic ketamine infusions are a safe and effective option for patients suffering from refractory chronic pain. The findings affirm that repeated ketamine dosing over multiple days can deliver meaningful improvements in pain intensity, interference, and patients’ confidence in managing symptoms.

At the heart of the Cleveland Clinic’s approach is its Center for Pain Recovery, which integrates ketamine infusions within a broader multidisciplinary care model. Rather than a one-off treatment, patients typically receive a series of infusions over several days, designed to maximize therapeutic benefit while keeping side effects minimal. The outcomes data show that beyond pain relief, patients often experience reductions in pain catastrophizing and increases in self-efficacy.

The mechanism through which ketamine alleviates chronic pain is not fully understood, but it is believed to disrupt central sensitization—the process by which the nervous system becomes hyperresponsive to pain signals. By antagonizing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, ketamine may help “reset” altered pain pathways. Cleveland Clinic pain specialist Dr. Pavan Tankha explains that ketamine is considered when patients have exhausted standard treatments including medications, injections, physical therapy, psychological interventions, and surgical options.

Ketamine infusions, though generally tolerable, are not free of adverse effects. Patients may experience transient symptoms such as nausea, disorientation, or perceptual changes during administration. Because of these effects—and the need for monitoring—infusions are often conducted in outpatient settings with medical supervision.

Some patient stories illustrate the potential impact: individuals facing years of unrelenting pain have reported sustained periods of relief following ketamine treatment, periods during which they could resume daily activities more comfortably. However, responses are variable, and the duration of benefit can differ substantially between patients.

It is important, however, to balance optimism with caution. A recent Cochrane review examining ketamine use for chronic pain across hundreds of participants concluded that evidence remains inconclusive and flagged risks such as psychotomimetic side effects, nausea, and vomiting. Thus, while the Cleveland Clinic’s experience adds meaningful real-world support, it does not substitute for rigorously controlled trials.

Looking ahead, high-quality randomized studies will be essential to define which patients are most likely to respond, what dosing schedules are optimal, and how long benefits may last. For now, ketamine infusions at specialized centers like Cleveland Clinic may offer hope to patients whose pain has resisted other therapies—but with careful selection, monitoring, and tempered expectations.