In today’s media, we often hear the term “placebo.” So what exactly is the placebo effect? A placebo is a substance that has no true medical therapeutic effect. It is oftentimes referred to as “sugar pills.” They are frequently prescribed for the psychological benefit of the patient. This is rather than for any physiological effect. This effect is the phenomenon where the patient experiences benefit after the inactive medication or treatment. Although it has no medical effect, the patient still feels better after administration. Placebos can range from sugar pills, to saline injections, to even certain surgeries. Though some may see placebos as unfair or dishonest, in some cases, the inactive medication is all the patient needs in order to feel better.
How does it work?
The placebo effect manifests due to a combination of patient expectation, as well as how the treatment was administered. For example, a placebo saline injection may be known to make those with certain mental illnesses feel better. However, this effect will not cure a physical illness, like cancer. On the other hand, inactive medical treatments have been known to stimulate real physiological responses. They could change chemical activity in the brain. The placebo effect is known to help those with depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, and help with pain management.
Most of the time, the patient is completely unaware that they are receiving an inactive drug or treatment. This is why some feel it is dishonest or deceiving. The inactive drug is designed to be exactly like the real treatment, regardless of if it is a pill, injection, or other substance. However, this substance has no real effect on the condition.
The placebo effect simply refers to the effects of the inactive drug itself. The placebo effect is frequently used in medical research. The purpose of using inactive medications in research is to test if the non-placebo medication works. Although the inactive drug has no effect on the illness, it can have an effect on how people feel in regards to it.
What does it do for us?
There are a few ways that the placebo effect can change how the patient feels about their illness. For starters, the nature of the illness can affect this effect. Additionally, the way the patient feels the placebo will work plays a role. For example, if the patient believes that the sugar pill will cure their anxiety, chances are it will have a positive effect on their mental illness. Furthermore, if the type of response the person expects to see is positive, they are more likely to have a positive response. The doctor’s thoughts on the placebo also have an effect on how the patient reacts, as well as genetics. The Nocebo effect, however, is the result of an inactive drug as well. It is when a patient reports side effects of a placebo, such as nausea, headaches, or dizziness after taking a placebo.
Genetics actually plays a much larger role in the placebo effect than people realize. Studies show that those with higher levels of dopamine in their brain chemistry are more prone to the placebo effect. They also have higher levels of pain perception and reward-seeking.
Placebo Advantages
The main advantage of using a placebo is that you are introducing no new chemicals to your body. With many psychiatric medications, there can be a long list of side effects and contraindications. With placebos, on the other hand, there are rarely severe side effects, and little to no contraindications.
There is ongoing research on how the placebo effect works in the realms of both physical medicine and psychiatry. There are a number of known factors to take into consideration. The release of endorphins is a hormone response that relates to the placebo effect. Endorphins can work sort of like morphine or other painkillers, but they are your brain’s way of stopping pain. Expectation and conditioning are yet another variable in the placebo effect. Those who expect the placebo to work often have positive results.
The placebo effect is a very real phenomenon. Taking a sugar pill, getting a saline injection, or undergoing certain surgeries can help make you feel better. Although it will not cure cancer, it can assist in many mental illnesses. It is also beneficial for pain management and some symptoms of Parkinson’s. This phenomenon is oftentimes a positive experience. However, it can have negative side effects, just like any other medication.
References
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-the-placebo-effect#1
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/the-power-of-the-placebo-effect
