The article published in Scientific American, titled “The Power of Placebo: How Our Brains Can Heal Our Minds and Bodies,” written by Meredith Knight, interviews Erik Vance, author of "Suggestible You: The Curious Science of Your Brain's Ability to Deceive, Transform and Heal." When talking about the subject of the Placebo Effect, Vance is asked, “Could patient's harness the power of the placebo effect to use on themselves if they wanted?” He responds that it is possible to do so, and says that there is nothing “wrong with admitting to yourself that something might be a placebo, but just going with it anyways.” This means that a person can take a placebo, knowing it is a placebo and having it still work. I thought this was interesting because I always thought that for a placebo to be effective, the person taking it couldn’t know what it was, and had to believe it was an actual remedy.
He further supports this claim when he was asked specifically if knowing about the placebo effect reduces its impact. Vance responds to this question that it is fine to learn about how the placebo effect works, and that it typically won’t impact its effect on an individual. For him personally, having gained much knowledge, enough as to write a book on it, he claims has reduced its impact on him, but firmly believes that it will come back to him. If an expert on the subject of placebo effect believes that it will still work for him, why then wouldn’t it work for others, especially those who haven’t learned about it?
Vance argues that the Placebo Effect is an important phenomenon and that it should be introduced into treatments that have been previously proven to be effective. The placebo helps to give a better idea to the efficacy of other pharmaceutical drugs. He also claims that doing so will allow doctors to better understand its power in treating various issues from depression to treating for pain.
I thought this article was interesting because I personally have learned somewhat of the placebo effect and its purpose in and through statistics courses. I have also participated in clinical drug response trials, in which I received a placebo, so I have experienced it. When I saw the title talking about placebos, I was immediately intrigued, and wanted to see and learn more about how it worked in my own life.
He further supports this claim when he was asked specifically if knowing about the placebo effect reduces its impact. Vance responds to this question that it is fine to learn about how the placebo effect works, and that it typically won’t impact its effect on an individual. For him personally, having gained much knowledge, enough as to write a book on it, he claims has reduced its impact on him, but firmly believes that it will come back to him. If an expert on the subject of placebo effect believes that it will still work for him, why then wouldn’t it work for others, especially those who haven’t learned about it?
Vance argues that the Placebo Effect is an important phenomenon and that it should be introduced into treatments that have been previously proven to be effective. The placebo helps to give a better idea to the efficacy of other pharmaceutical drugs. He also claims that doing so will allow doctors to better understand its power in treating various issues from depression to treating for pain.
I thought this article was interesting because I personally have learned somewhat of the placebo effect and its purpose in and through statistics courses. I have also participated in clinical drug response trials, in which I received a placebo, so I have experienced it. When I saw the title talking about placebos, I was immediately intrigued, and wanted to see and learn more about how it worked in my own life.
Weston Spielvogel
I was in a double blind study once at the U and man, the doctors administering as well as myself were going round and round trying to figure out if i got the placebo or the drug. One of the side effects of the drug was "location site irritation". i got 3 injections and each time my arm would swell up and get red and hot, turn out i had the placebo... i wonder how much i was doing to myself but in reverse.
ReplyDeletemy favorite saying is "id take a placebo if i thought it would work"
-A Wardell
Thanks for sharing this story. I think it really helps back up the article and it shows that this is actually possible. Very interesting that that happened to you. Did they have you stop taking it, even though it was just the placebo?
DeleteMatt N.
When the idea was brought up that the placebo effect could still be effective even when the patient was aware of the false prescription, I became very interested and confused. I was confused because I thought that the definition of Placebo was when the patient was unaware and this introduced contradiction triggered my interest. Maybe it was the act of taking some sort of medicine that caused the patient to show the expected side effects. It would be interested to conduct a study where some patients are given actual medicine, some a placebo (without knowing), and others a placebo (knowing). Then compare the results of that study to further solidify their research above.
ReplyDelete-S.L.H.
I had no idea that someone would know it was a placebo when taking it. I also always thought that the patient would have no idea whether or not it was a placebo. In some situations I can see where the mind could help to heal the body (taking only a placebo) but in other situations it is hard to believe the mind could heal the body.- D.B.
ReplyDeleteThe article specify as to what how he was testing the placebo effect? I work in the pharmacy and so I see many different kinds of treatment out there, and of course in terms of birth control pills and the placebo is there to make the opposite affect on the body. I am wondering in what other ways was the researching being conducted. Was it only assume the benefit would work for pain or depression, or did he believe it could be used for all forms of medical treatment? -D.D.
ReplyDeleteI've always though how interesting the power of the mind was and this article makes me want to study it more and more. The fact that placebos have such a strong effect from the mind and not from drugs themselves i wonder what this could imply psychologically that could be done to help sick people recover more effectively.
ReplyDelete-Jacob C
I have always been fascinated by the "mind over matter" theory. It almost seems like reverse psychology in a way, knowing that you have a placebo. It would be interesting to see the results of people who knew they had a placebo against those that did not know. C.W.
ReplyDeleteThe power of the Placebo is truly amazing. Looking around a bit more after this article. I found a article talking about drug companies doing triple blind studies. Just to attempt to curve the power of placebo. I wonder how much we can control with simply our minds.
ReplyDeleteI love this article because I am a full believe in the power your mind has and the wonders it can do. Being a competitive athlete the hardest part of playing is the mental game. There's a saying that goes "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." Although it's probably a little different in medicine I believe the concept is the same. It's all about the attitude you have.
ReplyDeleteJH
Why do you even need a placebo if the mind is powerful enough to trick yourself into healing anyway? why waste your money on sugar pills when you could just train yourself to think positively and be very disciplined and concentrated on healing? Kh
ReplyDeleteI believe that people take placebo because they need hope. This hope is considered the pill or placebo in this circumstance. The interesting thing about this small hope is that it can help convince their minds to do something or heal themselves. If they believed they could do it without a pill, I am sure they could do it, but they have to believe.
DeleteNP
I may have missed it, but what were they trying to test with the placebo effect to see if it would actually work? The brain is a very powerful thing, and I do believe in the power of the placebo effect because of this reason. But I am curious to know, what specifically was Vance saying it could cure?
ReplyDelete-Mindy C.
Absolutely fascinating article. To me, the fact that the placebo effect works is evidence that many of our maladies and afflictions are self-inflicted. If this is indeed the case, doesn't it make sense that they can then be self-cured? We have more control over our lives than we think!
ReplyDelete-BG
I find that the placebo effect is a very interesting study. The scientist mentions that this would be an effective method for treatment. Is it ethical to give a placebo to a patient telling them that the drug will do something that it actually won't?
ReplyDeleteNP
I found this article very interesting in that placebo can help people heal themselves. The mind is a powerful tool and I think that we forget that. Even when people knew it was a placebo, they still took it and it had a positive effect on them. This just shows that we can accomplish just about anything, we just have to convince our minds to do it first.
ReplyDeleteNP
One of my Lacrosse coaches was a psychology major from the University of Utah. He always talked about the power of the brain to be able to push through obstacles and pain. In Sociology I was taught that if something is perceived to be real it will be real in its consequences.
ReplyDeleteT Anderson
How often are placebo medications prescribed? I'm wondering if it is ethical for a doctor to prescribe a placebo if the patient is not aware.
ReplyDeleteSkyler H.
I'd like to know an answer to this question as well. I imagine that our brains are very powerful, but to what extent?
DeleteHW
I did not know either that the patient can know the drug is a placebo but have it still work. Our brains really are powerful. -EH
ReplyDeleteI would like to know more about this effect and how it relates to the brain or what parts it triggers to make it work, It is something really interesting that more info would be really nice.
ReplyDeleteSteph S.