Imagine taking a pill with no real medicine but still feeling better.
This is the placebo effect, when people improve because they believe a treatment works. Scientists study it to understand how the mind affects the body. This strange effect challenges what we know about medicine and shows how powerful belief can be.
The brain is so powerful that it can trick the body into thinking it is actually doing better, without real medicine.
“I think the brain’s a powerful tool. So if you believe something that much, then you can trick yourself into actually doing it,” health teacher Kyle Finfrock said.
The placebo effect shows that mindset is really able to change physical experiences. Even without active medication, the brain can make changes in the body.
“Placebo treatments have been shown to produce real physical changes, even when there’s no active ingredient,” psychology teacher Nina Kearns said.
When experiencing the placebo effect, individuals have to believe that it will work to actually see an outcome.
“Most people can experience the placebo effect, as long as they believe in the treatment,” chemistry teacher Matthew Mickelson said.
Sometimes, healing does not come from the treatment itself, but from the thought that it will work.
“The mind can’t be underestimated in how it influences our well-being, whether it’s in the treatment room or daily life,” school psychologist Patrick Richardson said.
The placebo effect has clear results, showing just how much belief can impact health.
“Placebo effect usually has an effect size of about 25, which means about 20% of people are gonna get better if they receive the placebo than if they don’t,” Richardson said.
The placebo effect shows how thoughts can impact health. Even if the treatment is not real, believing in it can lead to real improvements.
