BY THE WAY

NEWS FLASH!

The placebo e ect works, even if patients know about it, according to a new study of people with chronic conditions. They felt better after consuming placebo, though they knew it was a "fake drug".

And talking of placebo ...

The placebo effect has been documented to regulate a series of bodily functions. Patients have experienced that fake drugs have relieved heart trouble and asthma.

Doctors also perform placebo surgery. Surgeons cut into the patient, as if they are about to carry out traditional surgery – but they leave out the most important incision.

The effect of placebo pills remains a mystery to scientists. According to one theory, a patient, who expects a specific effect of a pill, will change his behaviour to achieve the effect.