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The Placebo/Nocebo Effect

Most people are familiar with what’s known as the “placebo effect.” It occurs when a patient experiences a positive result from a treatment because of their expectation of what will occur, rather than from the treatment itself.

Often when researchers or scientists test new treatments or drug therapies, they set up a study with two groups. One group actually receives the treatment or drug, while the other does not. The participants have no idea whether they are getting the real treatment or a placebo. Many times even the scientists aren’t sure which group is which until after the study is over.

It’s always interesting to note those in the placebo group who swear by the benefits they received from the treatment, when they received what is no more potent than a sugar pill! The mind can play some pretty crazy tricks on you!

Several years ago, The Washington Post ran a story on the “nocebo effect,” calling it the placebo effect’s “evil twin.” Those who experience the nocebo effect always assume the worst in terms of their health and that is exactly what they get. They become so convinced that they are going to get something, or that they have some illness, that self-fulfilling prophecy makes sure it happens. There are times, too, when a patient needs surgery and he or she actually wants to die to re-connect with a loved one. In this case, there is a high probability that the patient will not make it through the surgery.

The nocebo effect also occurs when drug study participants claim to experience negative side effects from a placebo, because they believe that they are taking the “real” medication or they have a negative response to a placebo based on the power of suggestion.

In one particular study, sugar water was given to a group of college students who were told that the solution was a potent emetic (an agent that causes vomiting); 80% of the students threw up!

Placebo, nocebo? The mind is quite capable of tricking itself, and the body is capable of healing itself with chiropractic adjustments that can remove nerve interference and allow optimal brain-body communication to resume. When that happens – you don’t even have to worry about placebo/nocebo effects. Chiropractic works – just ask us – we have stories we can show you!