The Placebo Effect

The mind is a powerful tool - one that can act against you, or work for you.

Although it may seem like a negative feature, the brain’s ability to trick you into believing something can actually be advantageous - for example, the placebo effect. By tricking you into interpreting a fake treatment as real, this effect has actually been proven to have therapeutic results. Latin for ‘I will please’, the placebo effect is triggered by the ‘person's belief in the benefit from the treatment and their expectation of feeling better’, rather than the actual effects of any medications.

Professor Ted Kaptchuk of Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Medical Center has spent years researching the placebo effect and its relationship with the brain. He states that, more than just “positive thinking”, the placebo effect is about the intricate connection between the mind and the body, and how those two act as the main drivers for overall physical well-being.

However, placebos don’t actually cure a patient’s condition - they simply improve the resulting symptoms and alleviate the perception of pain. This means that although they can’t have any physical effects on your internal organs, such as shrinking tumor size or lower cholesterol levels, they can improve how intensely a patient experiences the side effects.

While many do believe in the power of the placebo effect, some researchers are more skeptical and have alternative explanations. One of the most common is that the conditions are ‘self-limiting disorders’, bound to resolve themselves in time. This theory renders the use of medications and placebos futile and unnecessary, declaring that the same outcome will be reached regardless. Others speculate that the placebos simply trigger a change in the patient’s behavior. Theorized to increase the patient’s drive to prioritize their well-being, this could lead to lifestyle changes like improved diets, regular exercise, and rest, which would result in alleviated symptoms.

Moreover, some researchers hypothesize that the mere expectation of feeling better programs a bias in the brain that alters the patient’s perception of pain. This means that what would have previously been interpreted as a jab would instead be felt as a mere tingling sensation. Furthermore, some speculate that improved conditions aren’t effects of a supposed placebo effect, but rather, results of the release of brain chemicals. Termed the body’s ‘natural pain relievers’, certain chemicals, such as endorphins, can reduce levels of stress and improve the body’s overall state.

Although the exact reasoning behind placebos and how they work remains murky, it’s safe to say that it stems from the release of “feel-good” neurotransmitters such as endorphins and dopamine. Additionally, it results in increased activity in certain areas of the brain, thus influencing reactions and emotions.

To conclude, there are many probable hypotheses as to why fooling our brains with ineffective treatments can help our bodies fight off different conditions. However, as new developments continue to reveal themselves, researchers are optimistic that they will soon come to a definitive conclusion about the long-questioned placebo effect.

Works Cited

Better Health Channel. “Placebo Effect.” Vic.gov.au, 2012, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/placebo-effect.

Cherry, Kendra. “How the Placebo Effect Works in Psychology.” Verywell Mind, Verywellmind, 16 Apr. 2011, www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-placebo-effect-2795466.

Harvard Health Publishing. “The Power of the Placebo Effect - Harvard Health.” Harvard Health, Harvard Health, 13 Dec. 2021, www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/the-power-of-the-placebo-effect.

Seladi-Schulman, Jill. “Placebo Effect: What It Is, Examples, and More.” Healthline, 13 Feb. 2020, www.healthline.com/health/placebo-effect#the-psychology.

Swapna Munnangi, and Lambros D Angus. “Placebo Effect.” Nih.gov, StatPearls Publishing, 27 Oct. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513296/.