The Brain Still Feels the Missing Limb | EP.58 Dr. Philip Wolfson | Too Curious MD's

Can ketamine help people living with phantom limb pain after an amputation? In this episode of the Too Curious MD Podcast, Dr. Alya Ahmad welcomes psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and ketamine researcher Dr. Phil Wolfson for an in-depth conversation about an investigational clinical trial exploring ketamine for phantom limb pain. Phantom limb pain is more than pain in a body part that is no longer physically present. It may include burning, shooting pain, itching, pressure, or the disturbing sensation that a missing limb remains twisted or trapped in an uncomfortable position. Dr. Wolfson explains how the brain may continue to represent the missing limb and why trauma, memory, perception, and the nervous system may all play a role. The conversation also explores the story that inspired the new ketamine research protocol, including the experience of an amputee who reported significant relief after years of severe phantom limb pain. Dr. Ahmad and Dr. Wolfson discuss how ketamine differs from opioids, its possible effects on pain perception and neuroplasticity, and why carefully designed clinical research is needed before conclusions can be drawn. 📑Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:23 Understanding phantom limb pain 05:06 What inspired the ketamine research study 07:59 An amputee’s experience with severe chronic pain 13:00 How the brain represents a missing limb 15:42 Trauma, memory, and the nervous system 17:07 Ketamine protocols and pain management 19:40 How ketamine differs from opioids 21:21 Dissociation, acute trauma, and pain perception 24:25 Goals of the clinical trial 26:10 Eligibility and participant expectations 29:25 Hope for patients and future research