Live in Boston? These Medical Studies are Open Now — Some Pay Over $1K

Paid clinical trials
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When I was in college, I needed all the extra money I could get.

So, in addition to waiting tables, I sometimes answered those ads stuck to the sides of telephone poles — looking for willing participants for medical studies.

Contribute to the advancement of medicine and get paid? They were a student’s dream.

Some required nothing more than a quick survey; others were clinical drug trials to treat various ailments.

And although the ads are now displayed online — rather than on telephone poles — they’re still a great way to earn extra money.

And these are specifically for Bostonians!

These clinical trials are open right now…

1. Diabetes

Do you suffer from diabetes? You’re not alone.

In fact, just in 2012, 29.1 million Americans (9.3% of the population), had diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Well, this clinical study is looking for diabetic Boston residents to participate in a new survey — and it pays up to $75/hour.

To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, live within 50 miles of Boston and be diagnosed with and on medication for Type I or II diabetes.

Click here for more info.

2. Sleep

Yes, you could get paid to nap: Jillian Shea, a Penny Hoarder contributor, earned $12,000 from two sleep studies in Boston.

The first step is filling out surveys with information about your sleep patterns and overall health. If you qualify, you’ll be required to complete both physical and psychological exams — and then it’s time to get down to snoozing, er, business.

Though it might sound like a perfect gig, Shea notes “it’s not all comfy pillows and sweet dreams,” and cites challenges including isolation, unusual positions and needles or other medical devices.

Interested in sleeping on the job? Follow this link to find sleep facilities near you.

3. Crohn’s Disease

Have you been diagnosed with this chronic gastrointestinal disease?

If you’ve had Crohn’s for at least three months, you may qualify for one of the local studies that may offer payment that varies by study up to $750. Plus, you may also receive no-cost study-related care for the length of the study. (Learn more here)

4. Other Stuff

Even if you’re healthy as a horse, some studies might still apply to you.

One place to look is Covance, a company that “recruits for a variety of patients to participate in paid medical studies, ranging from healthy volunteers to smokers.”

When we looked, Covance had 17 studies open in four different states. Or check out Parexel, which has a range of studies available in Baltimore, as well as this list of seven places to find open clinical trials.

Being a human guinea pig isn’t for everyone — but if you want to make some extra money without a degree or specific training, they might be worth a shot! (Pun very much intended.)