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The Placebo Effect-A cure in the mind. By Matthew Barnes. Introduction. What is the placebo effect? Examples of the placebo effect Placebo effect – Fact or Fiction? Conclusion. What is the placebo effect?. pləˈsiboʊ/; Latin: “ shall please ”
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The Placebo Effect-A cure in the mind By Matthew Barnes
Introduction • What is the placebo effect? • Examples of the placebo effect • Placebo effect – Fact or Fiction? • Conclusion
What is the placebo effect? • pləˈsiboʊ/; Latin: “shall please” • the placebo effect is the measurable, observable, or felt improvement in health or behavior not attributable to a medication or invasive treatment that has been administered • The placebo effect can be produced by inert tablets, by sham surgery, and by false information, such as when electrical stimulation is turned "off" in those with Parkinson's disease implanted brain electrodes.
Example of the placebo effect • “Mr. Wright” was dying from cancer of the lymph nodes. Orange-size tumors had invaded his neck, groin, chest and abdomen, and his doctors had exhausted all available treatments. • Mr. Wright was confident that a new anticancer drug called Krebiozen would cure him. • Mr. Wright was bedridden and fighting for each breath when he received his first injection. But three days later he was cheerfully ambling around the unit, joking with the nurses. • Mr. Wright’s tumors had shrunk by half, and after 10 more days of treatment he was discharged from the hospital. And yet the other patients in the hospital who had received Krebiozen showed no improvement. • Krebiozen is not known to possess any therapeutic value. Attempts to analyze its composition have shown that Krebiozen consists only of the amino acid dissolved in mineral oil
Placebo effect-fact or fiction? • Placebos do not work for everyone. • Though not everyone responds to a placebo, neither does everyone respond to an actual drug. • Placebo Drugs are also used in drug trials to test the effect of new drugs. However, scientists have to be careful as the placebos may have negative side effects
Conclusions • Placebos have been around since the dawn of man • Sustains psychological healing • Barely touched the surface of the human mind • Plays an important part of modern medicine • Unpredictable results