New Delhi, October 28 (IANS). The placebo effect is a very interesting psychological and physiological effect. In simple language, when a person is given a treatment or medicine that does not contain any real effective ingredient such as a sugar pill or salt water, but still he feels that he is getting cured, then it is called placebo effect.
This effect is not actually caused by medicine, but by the power of the mind and faith.
Actually, ‘placebo effect’ means a fake treatment, i.e. a treatment which is not real, but the patient is assured that he is being given the right medicine.
The interesting thing is that sometimes even this false treatment shows effect because the person believes it to be true. When we sincerely trust a doctor, medicine or therapy, our brain automatically releases chemicals that help the body heal.
For example, if a patient has a headache and the doctor gives him a simple sugar pill, but says that it is a very effective medicine, then many times the patient’s headache actually subsides. This happens because the patient’s mind trusts the medicine and the body starts the process of making itself feel better.
Placebo does not directly heal the body, but it has positive effects mentally, reducing pain, stress and fatigue. This effect can be seen especially in the side effects of cancer treatment such as nausea, weakness and fatigue. Many studies have found that the placebo effect is effective in conditions like depression, pain, sleep disorders and menopause.
However, it can also have negative effects. Some people may feel that they are having side effects from treatment, when in reality this is not the case.
–IANS
PIM/ABM
