The placebo effect and you
In testing medical treatments, like drugs or procedures, the gold standard is the double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. By testing what happens when two similar groups of people each get some intervention-- either an active treatment, or a "dummy" version that doesn't have the element being studied, without knowing which they're getting-- we can determine whether or not that element causes some effect. Often what happens is that both groups get better. This makes it harder to isolate the effect of the treatment being studied. As a result, often the placebo effect is considered a nuisance by researchers. As in, "how can we minimize this pesky placebo effect to get to the REAL effect?". Yes, the placebo effect raises the statistical bar. But your statistical inconvenience is my secret sauce!
The placebo effect is evidence that bodies can take healing cues from the mind. Perhaps the cartesian dualism of separate mind and body is overlooking a fundamental truth about humans and the way we function. How does meditation lower blood pressure? How does anxiety cause an upset stomach? How, indeed, does belief that you are being treated lead to healing?
I don't think the placebo effect is the answer to everything-- I certainly don't mean you can cure cancer by clapping your hands and believing in fairies. Disease is complex and multifactorial. We don't understand all of it, nor can we control all of it. Of course we need to study the isolated effects of drugs. This is enormously important work that moves science and medicine forward and extends lifespan and healthspan. But discounting the placebo effect as a problem is a mistake. In fact, the placebo effect is a clear demonstration of the body's self-healing properties. Time and belief in healing lead to actual healing. That's profound!
What does this mean for you? If you intend to heal, and take steps toward healing, your body will respond to this intention. It may sound woo to you, but the science suggests it's real. You may experience subtle and important benefits that are not due to the intended chemical effect of a drug. This, friends, is good news. Happy healing!
