Scientists find placebo effect
The mysterious placebo effect is not so mysterious any more. Scientists from North-western University in Chicago have identified the region of the brain, where the effect is located, and which is the reason why calcium tablets can have a relieving or healing effect, even though they are not active drugs.
The point is located in the mid frontal gyrus – in the same place as the reward centre – according to research, to which 98 patients with chronic osteoarthritis in their knees contributed.
In the experiment, some of the patients were treated with ineffective pills and still experienced pain relief, and by using fMRI scans, scientists were able to accurately identify the brain region that reacted to the placebo.
A special region of the brain is the reason why treatment with placebo drugs such as calcium tablets works. PASCAL TÉTREAULT