{"id":161477,"date":"2024-04-10T17:54:26","date_gmt":"2024-04-10T23:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/?p=161477"},"modified":"2024-12-10T17:16:08","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T23:16:08","slug":"what-is-the-placebo-effect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/health\/what-is-the-placebo-effect\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does the Placebo Effect Work? Can It Explain the Success of Homeopathy?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the world of medicine, few topics are as divisive as homeopathy. Many oppose it, while others fight tooth and nail to defend it. For some, it\u2019s no more than an example of the placebo effect<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne reason it doesn’t get accepted is that we don\u2019t have a good biomedical explanation<\/strong> for how it works,\u201d says Michelle Dossett<\/a>, integrative medicine specialist and researcher at the University of California, in an interview with TecScience<\/em><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homeopathy is an alternative medicine created in Germany over 200 years ago, centered around the idea that the body can heal itself<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To create remedies \u2013tablets, drops, creams, or gels\u2013 homeopaths prepare a mixture of substances with active ingredients, such as plants, minerals, or animal venom, and add them to water or alcohol to enhance their effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The substances are extremely diluted in these remedies, as another of their beliefs is that the lower the dose, the greater the effect. This is one of the main reasons conventional medicine opposes it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How could they possibly work if they contain undetectable quantities of these substances? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, despite many arguments against them, a significant part of the population<\/a> around the world frequently turns to homeopaths to treat their illnesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, my grandmother calls hers \u201cMerlin\u201d because she says he\u2019s \u201clike a wizard\u201d who makes her feel better whenever she has a cold or a stomach ache. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although science resorts to the placebo effect<\/strong> to explain that this alternative medicine leads to many patients reporting an improvement in their symptoms and mood, this doesn\u2019t mean it doesn\u2019t work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSaying homeopathy is just a placebo is saying it\u2019s a treatment that’s going to help people<\/strong>,\u201d says Kathryn Hall<\/a>, a researcher at Harvard Medical School, in an interview with TecScience<\/em><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is the Placebo Effect? More than a Trick or Positive Thinking<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The placebo effect occurs when an inert treatment (like a sugar pill<\/strong>, an injection without an active substance<\/strong>, or a simulated surgery<\/strong>) improves the symptoms of an illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll of these sham treatments can have beneficial effects, sometimes even as powerful as the active treatment,\u201d says Hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She and Dossett form part of a group of scientists<\/a> led by Ted Kaptchuk<\/a> that\u2019s focused on studying the placebo effect through interdisciplinary research combining basic science, clinical science, and social science. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, these researchers have demonstrated<\/a> that placebos are more than tricks or positive thinking. Instead, they result from our mind and body\u2019s capacity to react to adverse situations like illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt takes advantage of our inherent biology and innate capacity to feel better,\u201d explains Dossett. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The placebo effect is not a cure<\/strong>, as it cannot eliminate bacteria or reduce the size of a tumor<\/strong>. What it can do is minimize symptoms<\/strong><\/a> that are modulated by the brain<\/strong>, such as the perception of pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pain is processed by a specific area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, and it has been observed that when a placebo is administered, it can override the signals of discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is probably why my grandmother feels better when the homeopath gives her pills to take away the headache caused by a cold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neurobiological Mechanisms of the Placebo Effect<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it\u2019s unclear how it works, the evidence suggests that the placebo effect involves neurobiological processes such as releasing neurotransmitters<\/a> associated with wellbeing, including dopamine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has also been found to activate our endogenous opioid system<\/a>, a group of molecules similar to opiates such as morphine, which are fabricated and released by the brain, helping us to stop feeling pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, it can increase activity in brain regions<\/a> associated with mood, reward, emotional reactions, and cognitive capacities such as complex thinking and self-perception. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a long time, the placebo effect was considered a failure as inert substances (or placebos) are used in clinical trials to prove that a medication or treatment really works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, this includes dividing people into one group that receives the medication or treatment while the other gets the placebo. \u201cThe standard goal is for the effect of the medicine or treatment to be statistically higher,\u201d explains Hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The narrative around this phenomenon has begun to change, recognizing that patients responding to the placebo is not necessarily a sign that the treatment doesn\u2019t work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, it means there are non-pharmacological mechanisms that could be acting to help patients improve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think many physicians are aware of the placebo effect, but few recognize its power<\/strong>,\u201d says Dossett. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warmth and Empathy: Key Aspects of the Placebo Effect<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So far, the placebo effect has been demonstrated to be effective at treating symptoms such as pain<\/strong>, discomfort, insomnia<\/strong>, anxiety<\/strong>, and stress<\/strong>, as well as the fatigue<\/strong> and nausea<\/strong> associated with cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, beyond releasing our mind\u2019s power to heal, the evidence suggests that it also has to do with the whole experience of seeking treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This begins when we realize that we don\u2019t feel well, which leads us to call the doctor, go to the doctor\u2019s office, answer a series of questions, and occasionally undergo certain tests to receive a diagnosis and treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is so much stuff you’re going through that obviously affects you,\u201d says Hall. Your brain is a prediction machine. Even before receiving treatment, it knows you’ll get something that will make you feel better<\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The interaction with the doctor seems to be a particularly key factor in a patient\u2019s likelihood of recovery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2015, Dossett and her team studied<\/a> the effect of a supplement to treat reflux, analyzing whether its efficacy changed depending on the type of consultation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One group received a standard examination before receiving the supplement, while the other had an expanded visit with a more extensive set of questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They found that although the supplement had no effect on reflux symptoms, the patients who had the extended consultation were more likely to report an improvement of 50% or more in the severity of their symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, when they analyzed the videos of the interaction between patient and doctor, they found that patients seemed more satisfied at the end of the extended consultation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving doctors and patients smiling at the end of the visit was highly predictive of the improvement of their symptoms two weeks later,\u201d explains Dossett. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaptchuk’s group and other researchers have extensively studied the therapeutic effect of patient-doctor interaction, suggesting that the warmth and empathy patients receive affect how they will respond to treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This could explain why people, including my grandmother, answer positively to alternative medicines such as homeopathy<\/strong> and acupuncture<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During consultations for these types of treatments, doctors tend to ask questions about a holistic view of the patient, including their mood, recent experiences, life history, and events that could affect them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genetic Factors of the Placebo Effect<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recently, Dossett and her group sought to extend the results of their research, measuring whether going to a consultation without receiving treatment could improve reflux symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They found that although patients with an extended visit were more likely to feel better than those who received a traditional examination, this difference wasn\u2019t statistically significant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s probably something with receiving something as treatment, even though it\u2019s inert, that has a therapeutic effect based on expectation,\u201d says Dossett. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It would seem that patients also need to receive something for the placebo effect to work, whether it be an ointment, a pill, or an injection. Even receiving a placebo knowing what it is appears to work<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hall\u2019s group also found that the likelihood of people responding to the placebo effect could be associated with genetic variants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2017, they published a study<\/a> in which they observed irritable bowel syndrome, which tends to have a high response to placebos in clinical trials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they analyzed the genome<\/a> of patients who responded to the placebo and those who didn\u2019t, they found a gene that produces an enzyme -called COMT- that breaks down dopamine in the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people have a variant of the gene that results in a debilitated version of the enzyme, which results in them having more dopamine available. \u201cThose with the weaker version were more likely to respond to the placebo,\u201d explains Hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Placebo Effect to Improve Treatment<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Taken as a whole, these studies suggest that the placebo effect involves the subjective and subconscious experience of a symptom or illness. Behind this lie many biological mechanisms that are now becoming clearer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As to whether this phenomenon explains why homeopathy can help people feel better, Dossett emphasizes that there is mixed evidence, with some studies demonstrating it can have an impact beyond it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, just like conventional medicine, the homeopathic phenomena surely does involve the placebo effect<\/strong>. \u201cThe clinical encounter, the intake of a homeopathic remedy, the questions that a homeopath asks have engendered huge effects on patients,\u201d says the expert.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to these scientists, all this information means that there are non-pharmaceutical ways to improve the way we treat disease.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe surprising piece is how much we ignore all of this information and put the focus on the chemical substance,\u201d says Hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We should clarify that this doesn\u2019t mean alternatives are effective for every ailment. Some diseases -such as cancer or AIDS- require conventional medicine for treatment or a cure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When used safely, recognizing the power of the placebo effect or the potential of alternative medicine doesn\u2019t undermine conventional medicine. Instead, it suggests that it can be complemented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the end, the goal of every health professional is to maximize patients\u2019 response to treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf using a placebo helps them deal with pain or nausea, or improving the nature of the interaction can increase their likelihood of improvement, why wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d asks Dossett. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Homeopathy and other forms of alternative medicine would appear to be the equivalent of taking a sugar pill. Does that mean they don\u2019t work? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":161479,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[86],"tags":[224],"class_list":["post-161477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","tag-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPlacebo effect and homeopathy | TecScience<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Homeopathy and other forms of alternative medicine would appear to be the equivalent of taking a sugar pill. 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Mi trabajo ha sido publicado en medios como Science, Science News, Newsweek, Nexos, \u00bfC\u00f3mo ves?, entre otros. Estudi\u00e9 Biolog\u00eda en la Facultad de Ciencias de la UNAM y ah\u00ed descubr\u00ed mi pasi\u00f3n por comunicarle a todas las personas el conocimiento cient\u00edfico y su relevancia social. Creo que la ciencia, al fomentar el pensamiento cr\u00edtico, puede empoderar a la humanidad y, al ser la base de los avances tecnol\u00f3gicos, puede ayudarla a vivir en las mejores condiciones posibles.","url":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/author\/igutierrez\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161477","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=161477"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161477\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/161479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=161477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=161477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=161477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}