The placebo effect – does it really work?

THE health market is awash with treatments. products and fads claiming to improve our health … whether it is to look younger, get slimmer, reduce the risk of disease, promote your immune system, improve your mind, regenerate your bones, rid you of ear wax, detox your body, I could go on.

Companies have become skilled at marketing these treatments and products to us and presenting their testing as conclusive scientific investigation to show effectiveness. I always chuckle when I recall the cat food advert that claims “eight out of 10 cats prefer Whiskers”.

How do we know if a treatment or product really works? How do we decide if a product is worth parting with our hard earned cash?

The evidence is so complicated. Facts can be extrapolated from data in order to paint a particular picture. I am not sure I know how to critically appraise and interpret scientific literature. About 5,000 medical academic journals are published every month, full of articles that contradict each other, some making lifestyle claims. How do you know what to believe?

Think of the conflicting messages we receive every day about food … one day something is good for us and we should eat it, the next it is bad for us and we should avoid it. With the evidence being so contradictory it creates confusion.

Responses

A placebo is anything that seems to be a “real” treatment but isn’t. It could be a pill, a cream, a shot, or some other type of “fake” treatment. What all placebos have in common is that they do not contain an active substance meant to affect health.

Sometimes a person can have a response to a positive placebo. For instance, the person’s symptoms may improve. There are some conditions in which a placebo can produce results even when people know they are taking a placebo. Such as depression, pain or menopause.

Research on the placebo effect has focused on the relationship of mind and body. One of the most common theories is that the placebo effect is due to a person’s expectations. If a person expects a treatment to do something, then it’s possible that the body’s own chemistry can cause effects similar to what a medication might have caused.

As humans we are complicated unique individuals, with no two of us alike, our bodies respond differently to treatments. We know that our mindset and expectations can impact our physiology. So if we think something will work the chances of it doing so are dramatically increased. It would seem that if you want to live a healthy life, forget the pills, potions and treatments, instead develop a positive outlook, fill each day with optimistic and positive regard!

Believe in yourself!

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