Many of us don’t know what placebo is! A relatively new term, but one that has been around for a very long time in the field of treatment and research. A placebo is an inert medicine or can even be termed as a medical procedure that has no medicine in it. It is said to work more on the psychology of the patient, or coincidences or even on psychological hormonal triggers.
The Placebo Effect
A placebo is a treatment procedure wherein a patient is given a medication that has no medicine in it. It could just be a sugar pill, or a cupful of sugar water, a saline drip or just anything that has no medicine in it. It works based on how it is given to the patient and the reassurance that comes with it.
If the patient is told that this will make them feel better or improve, the chances are high for them to actually feel better. This placebo effect is more because of the feel-good chemicals that are secreted by our brain. This is the simplest explanation. The chemistry of the drug is being augmented by chemicals secreted in the brain.1
The Theory Behind Placebos
Although there are many explanations revolving around placebos, the exact mechanism is unexplained. In conditions that are self-limiting like the common cold, the conditions generally resolve on their own with or without placebos. In such cases, the use of placebos will be a mere coincidence in the cure.
Certain disorders might have symptoms that might make an appearance every now and then rather than disappear completely as is in the case of tiredness or body pains associated with severe viral infections. This again might coincide with the effect of placebos.2
Our Interpretation Is Based On Our Feelings
A placebo might motivate the patient to take better care of themselves with proper diet, exercise and rest. This might help them feel better. And when they start feeling better, their interpretation of the symptoms might change. This could also coincide with a placebo. The anxiety a patient feels might reduce once they start feeling better, resulting in the reduction of the release of stress hormones.
This again might be a psychological effect of a placebo or a coincidence. Placebos may also trigger the release of our body’s natural pain relief hormone that might bring about a positive change in the patient.3
A Case Against Placebos
Placebos have been used for a long time to test the effectiveness of a new treatment method or medication. In some cases, the participants are told that they are given placebos and in some, they aren’t told. Participants in both groups were said to feel better. This is what is called “Placebo Effect.”
The theory and arguments behind this are many and the mystery still continues. Certain arguments say that placebos have negative effects like drowsiness, skin irritation or allergy. But these again are controversies and do not have exact indications.4
Medication Can Also Act As Placebo
Women with labor pains in the delivery room are often given diclofenac injections. Truth is that these painkillers are nowhere near potent enough to reduce the pains of labor. However, some women may feel relieved just by their mere administration. Doctors often employ otherwise harmless medication as a way to make patients feel better instantly, and this is an ethical practice.
Placebos Also Work On Animals
In a strange twist to the “placebos are just faith” story, it looks like even animals are able to benefit from placebos. This has specifically been observed in higher order animals such as dogs.5
Placebos might be helping the patient or might not be, but if it helps to make a person feel better and is not a medication, it can be given a try!
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