The power of the placebo effect - Emma Bryce
TED-Ed・4 minutes read
The placebo effect, demonstrated through studies like the one involving Trivaricaine in 1996, highlights how fake treatments can still elicit real benefits for patients. Despite ethical concerns, placebos continue to be used in clinical trials to compare new treatments against existing ones, emphasizing the enduring impact and mystery of the placebo effect on human health.
Insights
- The placebo effect was demonstrated in a study with Trivaricaine, where subjects reported less pain despite the treatment being a fake concoction with no pain-easing properties, highlighting the significant impact of psychological factors on perceived pain relief.
- Placebos, originating in the 1700s, are utilized in clinical trials to test new treatments without biasing results, although ethical concerns have reduced their use. They are still employed as controls to compare new drugs against existing treatments, emphasizing the continued relevance of the placebo effect in medical research.
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Recent questions
What was the purpose of the Trivaricaine study?
To test the placebo effect on pain relief.
How did placebos originate?
In the 1700s to improve symptoms.
Why are placebos used in clinical trials?
To compare effects of new drugs.
What led to the decrease in placebo use?
Ethical concerns in clinical trials.
How do placebos impact human bodies?
By showcasing the mystery of the placebo effect.
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Summary
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The Power of Placebo: A Deceptive Relief
- In 1996, a study involving 56 volunteers tested a new painkiller called Trivaricaine. One index finger of each subject was treated with the new painkiller while the other remained untreated. Despite Trivaricaine being a fake concoction with no pain-easing properties, the subjects reported less pain in the treated finger, showcasing the power of the placebo effect.
- The term "placebo" originated in the 1700s when doctors realized the impact of fake drugs on improving symptoms. Placebos were designed to mimic real treatments, such as sugar pills or sham surgeries, and were later utilized in clinical trials as a standard tool to test new treatments without biasing results.
- While placebos have shown to provide relief for various ailments through the placebo effect, ethical concerns have led to a decrease in their use in clinical trials. However, they are still employed as controls to compare the effects of new drugs against existing treatments, showcasing the ongoing mystery and influence of the placebo effect on the human body.
