Revisiting placebo

Abstract

The placebo effect refers to the phenomenon in which a treatment or intervention that is not inherently therapeutic, such as a sugar pill or saline injection, can produce a measurable improvement in a patient's symptoms or condition. The exact mechanisms behind the placebo effect are not well understood, but it is thought to involve the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals, and the activation of the brain's reward and pain-regulation systems. This article reviews recent research into the efficacy of the placebo in general practice.