A method of detecting pain in a subject, comprises the steps of generating brain wave data based on brain wave activity of the subject and comparing the brain wave data to reference data to generate result data, the reference data corresponding to at least one of (i) population normative data indicative of brain wave activity of a first plurality of individuals in an absence of pain, (ii) population reference data indicative of brain wave activity of a second plurality of individuals generated in response to pain events inflicted on the second plurality of individuals, (iii) subjective population reference data indicative of brain wave activity of a third plurality of individuals reporting a sensation of pain, and (iv) population of reference data indicative of brain wave activity of a fourth population of individuals following an intervention which has changed a subjective report of pain in combination with determining a presence of pain experienced by the subject as a function of the result data.