Clinical trials vary widely in their time commitments, though on average most last one to three months. Some may be a one-time visit, lasting only a few hours, while others might span several months or even years, requiring regular check-ins. The longer the trial, the higher the potential compensation but also the greater the commitment. For example, a two-week allergy medication trial with limited involvement and remote participation might pay a few hundred dollars or less. On the flipside, a long-term study on the effects of a new cancer treatment protocol could pay thousands but require a commitment of several months and seriously impact your routine with frequent doctor visits or even overnight stays. As you can imagine, it’s very important that you understand exactly how much time you’ll need to commit and how often before you jump in.