Placebo effect

Definition

The placebo effect is a psychological phenomenon where patients experience real changes in their health after receiving a treatment with no therapeutic value. This effect highlights the power of perception and belief in the efficacy of treatments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The placebo effect can impact the outcomes of clinical trials by making it appear that a treatment is effective when it's not.
2. Placebos are often used as control measures in experiments to determine the actual effectiveness of new drugs.
3. The placebo effect demonstrates the connection between mind and body, showing how mental states can influence physical health.
4. In infectious disease studies, placebos help differentiate between the natural progression of a disease and the effects of an intervention.
5. Ethical considerations arise when using placebos, particularly concerning informed consent and patient deception.

Review Questions

• What is the primary purpose of using placebos in clinical trials?
• How does the placebo effect illustrate the relationship between mental states and physical health?
• Why are placebos important for distinguishing true drug efficacy in infectious disease research?

Related terms

Double-blind Study: A study design where neither participants nor researchers know who is receiving the treatment or placebo.

Clinical Trial: A research study conducted with human volunteers to evaluate medical interventions.

Control Group: A group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment, used as a benchmark to measure how other subjects do.