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Placebos Work -- Even Without Deception

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the smoke-and-mirrors dept.

An anonymous reader writes "For most of us, the 'placebo effect' is synonymous with the power of positive thinking; it works because you believe you're taking a real drug. But a new study rattles this assumption. Researchers at Harvard Medical School's Osher Research Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have found that placebos work even when administered without the seemingly requisite deception. The study was published on December 22 in PLoS ONE."

3 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. I feel better already! by boristdog · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm cured by just reading about these amazing placebos!

  2. Re:Homeopathic Medicine by MartinSchou · · Score: 5, Funny

    People insist on antibiotics, but antibiotics are no better than placebos on viral infections, and placebos don't cause antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria to evolve.

    Well, sure, you say that now, but just you wait until we get placebo-resistant strains of bacteria! What'll you do then?!? ;)

  3. Re:Homeopathic Medicine by Abcd1234 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm glad the internet can prove me wrong. But try it. It's shocking how much energy you have.

    Ironic you should cite your anecedotal claims, based on personal, subjective perception, in an article about the placebo effect...