What is the placebo effect?
                     What is the Placebo Effect?
Definition
A placebo is anything that seems to be a "real" 
medical treatment -- but isn't. It could be a pill, 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.
Source: www.webmd.com
Uses
Researchers use placebos during studies to help 
them understand what effect a new drug or some 
other treatment might have on a particular 
condition.
For instance, some people in a study might be 
given a new drug to lower cholesterol. Others 
would get a placebo. None of the people in the 
study will know if they got the real treatment or 
the placebo.
Source: www.webmd.com
Drugs Vs Placebo
Researchers then compare the effects of the 
drug and the placebo on the people in the study.
That way, they can determine the effectiveness of 
the new drug and check for side effects.
Source: www.webmd.com
Effects of Placebo
Sometimes a person can have a response to a 
placebo. The response can be positive or 
negative. For instance, the person's symptoms 
may improve. 
Or the person may have what appears to be side 
effects from the treatment. These responses are 
known as the "placebo effect."
Source: www.webmd.com
Catalysts for Placebo
There are some conditions in which a placebo can 
produce results even when people know they are 
taking a placebo. Studies show that placebos can 
have an effect on conditions such as:
• Depression
• Pain
• Sleep disorders
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Menopause
Source: www.webmd.com
How Does the Placebo Effect Work?
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 pill to do something, then it's 
possible that the body's own chemistry can cause 
effects similar to what a medication might have 
caused.
Source: www.webmd.com
Example
In one study involving asthma, people using a 
placebo inhaler did no better on breathing tests 
than sitting and doing nothing. 
But when researchers asked for people's 
perception of how they felt, the placebo inhaler 
was reported as being as effective as medicine in 
providing relief.
Source: www.webmd.com
Side Effects
The fact that the placebo effect is tied to 
expectations doesn't make it imaginary or fake. 
Some studies show that there are actual physical 
changes that occur with the placebo effect. 
For instance, some studies have documented an 
increase in the body's production of endorphins, 
one of the body's natural pain relievers.
The same appears to be true for negative effects. If 
people expect to have side effects such as 
headaches, nausea, or drowsiness, there is a 
greater chance of those reactions happening.
Source: www.webmd.com
Problems & Conlusion
One problem with the placebo effect is that it can 
be difficult to distinguish from the actual effects of 
a real drug during a study. 
Finding ways to distinguish between the placebo 
effect and the effect of treatment may help improve 
the treatment and lower the cost of drug testing. 
And more study may also lead to ways to use the 
power of the placebo effect in treating disease.
Source: www.webmd.com
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