• Question: do you believe in the pleceebo effect give reason

    Asked by jubril to Colin, John, Kevin, Shikha, Triona on 18 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Kevin Motherway

      Kevin Motherway answered on 18 Nov 2014:

      Yes and it’s been observed in MRI scans showing that people’s perception of pain varied with the belief they have been give pain relief. It works very well for illnesses or perception of pain that have a psychological effect, however if somebody has a terminal cancer or very serious physical ailment it won’t do any actual good but can be hugely beneficial to a persons overall well being. This can explain why people flock to alternative medicines that have no actual beneficial effect but make people feel better. Alternative therapists also spend a lot of time talking to people and putting them at ease. Classic placebo effect, but not actual clinical benefit to an illness.

    • Photo: Shikha Sharma

      Shikha Sharma answered on 18 Nov 2014:

      Hi 449bera37,

      Very intelligent question.
      Though the Placebo Effect is one of the least understood phenomenons found in human physiology and psychology but yes I do believe in it. I do believe there is a strong relationship between mind and body. One of the basic theories of this effect is person’s expectations play a major role in his recovery from any disease. If a person expects that a pill will help him in reducing headache as it has helped others as well, then it’s possible that the body’s own chemistry can cause effects similar to what a medication might have caused. So many studies have established these facts e.g., in a study certain group of people were given a placebo and told it was a stimulant. After taking the pill, their pulse rate sped up, their blood pressure increased, and their reaction speeds improved. When people were given the same pill and told it was to help them get to sleep, they experienced the opposite effects.
      Even while working on cancer, I have met so many cancer patients….patients who have a strong will power and belief that they will recover show better response to treatment in comparison to the one who think cancer is a death sentence.

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