50% as effective as the real thing, without any substance A study led by Kaptchuk considered how people reacted to migraine pain medication. Three groups were tested and treated as follows: Group 1 – treated with a branded drug Group 2 – treated with a labelled placebo Group 3 – did not receive any treatment […]

50% as effective as the real thing, without any substance A study led by Kaptchuk considered how people reacted to migraine pain medication. Three groups were tested and treated as follows: Group 1 – treated with a branded drug Group 2 – treated with a labelled placebo Group 3 – did not receive any treatment  The findings of the research suggested that the placebo was 50% as effective as the real drug in reducing pain. That is, a treatment with no efficacy at all was effective in half the cases tested. This clearly demonstrates the power of the placebo effect.The placebo effect is most often a medical intervention — a pill, injection, or sham surgery — that has no therapeutic value. The placebo effect refers to the real benefits that these inert interventions can have. For example, the simple act of taking a tablet can make a person feel its benefits. This…