Placebo Effect (s/o of Bach Flower Remedies)

[JumpyTheFrog]

https://www.amazon.com/Cure-Journey-into-Science-Mind/dp/0385348150/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1473442452&sr=8-3&keywords=The+cure+book

 

I read the above book about the placebo effect a few months ago. After decades of awareness of it, some doctors are finally trying to harness it. Experiments are being done where patients pair the drug they are in with a very distinct looking, smelling, and tasting placebo drink. After a while, the body can begin to associate the placebo with the effects of the drug and the drug dosage can be cut in half or less. This may allow patients to cut way down on their drug dosages, thus cutting the side effects, while keeping the effectiveness.

 

It appears that placebo pills can also help with some conditions, even when the patient knows it is a placebo. Effectiveness is best for things like pain and psychological based/influenced conditions. It doesn't help when a drug is needed for a very specific action, like controlling diabetes. The effectiveness can be dependent on the size, color, and number of pills taken.

 

I didn't want to derail the Bach Flowers thread. If that poster is reading this, then my suggestion is the use the placebo effect to your advantage. Find something cheaper with a similar distinct smell and taste and offer it instead. You might even say that it will be even more helpful than the old stuff. I believe you when you say it is helping and that stopping the remedy stopped the effect. That is how placebo effects work. Instead of spending excess money on it, find a way to use the effect without getting suckered into believe pseudoscience.

[Guest]

I haven't read that book, but have read about the placebo effect. I would be in support of using a placebo, even a known placebo, for psychological conditions or pain effects that may be partially psychological.

 

When I first learned that homeopathy was not based on sound science, I still often used the pills for self-limiting conditions because I said, "Well, it may help, won't hurt, and I have a box full of remedies,so might as well."