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The placebo effect is something that has been known about for years – so what’s new? Well scientists don’t fully understand how it works. A new study performed in Birmingham was carried out, to try and understand the magnitude of this effect and the mechanisms behind this bizarre phenomenon.
100 people from Blackpool participated. The study was to investigate the placebo effect of a ‘powerful new painkiller’ in the treatment of chronic back pain. Some were to act as a ‘control’ group, the rest were told that they would either receive a placebo or a powerful new painkiller – however these participants would actually all receive placebos (inert capsules containing rice). So did these participants, who believed they could’ve been receiving a new potent painkiller, but were in-fact taking a placebo, get any benefit? The results were fascinating.
As expected, many of the participants had improved back pain. 50% had some degree of improvement – some with astonishing results. Jim, a 71 year old, who had been taking morphine and ketamine for his back pain exacerbations, was effectively pain free on the placebo pill containing rice. But we already knew this, didn’t we? The researcher’s wanted answers as to why these effects were happening and why they were so strong. They performed brain scans and found that there were differences between those who responded to the placebo, and those who did not. The amygdala (controls emotions and reward) showed differences. What this really means however isn’t known, but the effects are real and can be seen through anatomical differences in imaging.
If you’re from the UK or have access to BBC2 and you’re interested in hearing more about this subject, there is a documentary on this article called ‘The Placebo Experiment: Can My Brain Cure My Body?’. It’s being aired at 21:00 today (04/10/18). Let me know any thoughts you have on this if you wish to do so.
All Things Medicine 