![]() |
|
![]()
June 1st, 2011
04:54 PM ET
On the Brain: When believing is healingIf you're sick, it doesn't hurt to believe that you're getting better - in fact, it may actually help. And when it comes to many alternative medicines, such as herbal remedies and acupuncture, belief alone may be the reason that you feel a sense of comfort and healing. The Economist has an overview of the truth behind alternative medicine and the power of the placebo effect. A placebo is basically a sham medical treatment that isn't supposed to have any effect on health. But if a doctor tells you that a particular pill is going to make you feel happier, it may not matter if the pill is made of flour; your belief in it alone may heighten your emotions. Harvard professor Irving Kirsch says the placebo effect works best on conditions that are emotional and subjective. A recent study, reported by WebMD, suggested that the placebo effect is at work in many headache treatments. But it can also change your perception of pain as well as your heartbeat, blood pressure, digestion and other factors that you don't control, according to Karin Meissner of Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany. And it appears that more involved fake procedures are more convincing than simple ones in healing your body and mind. Studies have found that people respond better to phony injections than pills, and a convincing pretend surgery is even better. Surprisingly, you might even see improvement from a placebo even if your doctor tells you that it's not real medicine, a 2010 study in PLoS ONE found. Rigorous analyses of scientific studies have shown that much of what is known as alternative medicine is bunk, with a few exceptions such as St. John's wort for mild depression (Here's the low-down on this and other remedies for depression from Health.com). But the simple belief in a remedy carries a lot of weight, according to experts. And when you go to a practitioner of alternative medicine, you're likely to get someone who offers you more face time and greater sense of reassurance about a therapy than a regular doctor. The positive relationship you form with him or her may have a placebo effect in itself. This is a point emphasized recently by CNNhealth.com's own mind and body columnist Dr. Charles Raison. He wrote that a patient's strong emotional connection to a doctor seems to be a big factor in recovery. A recent study showed this effect in depression, and suggested that the doctor-patient bond was perhaps even a more important determinant of recovery than whether the patient received a placebo or a real drug. Interestingly, although we have all kinds of fancy names for alternative therapies that probably act as placebos, many doctors shy away from the idea of prescribing good old fashioned sugar pills. But in some places, that may be changing. Dr. Raison mentioned also that the German Medical Association started advising doctors to give out placebos, which may make sense given the benefits described here. |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
|
zithropan https://zithromaxes.com/ azythromax
generic viagra canada https://canadaviagrastore.com/ pfizer viagra canada pharmistry
can erectile dysfunction caused by guilt https://canadaerectiledysfunctionpills.com/ erectile reverser
zithromax pills https://zithromaxes.com/ zithromax drug class
tadalafil 40 https://elitadalafill.com/ tadalafil pills
alprostadil urethral suppository https://alprostadildrugs.com/ injectable ed drugs
canadian pills pharmacy https://canadapillstorex.com/ average perscription pills taken by 65 year old canadian?
vardenafil nortwest pharmacy https://vegavardenafil.com/ generic levitra vardenafil 20mg
erectile pills canada https://canadaerectiledysfunctionpills.com/ erectile anxiety
canadian pharmacy cialis no prescription https://canadacialisstore.com/ canadian pharmacy no perscription generic cialis
erectile health https://canadaerectiledysfunctionpills.com/ erectile disorder causes
best viagra pills 25 mg canada pharmacy https://canadaviagrastore.com/ how to buy teva sub for viagra in canada
how much cheper is viagra in canada https://canadaviagrastore.com/ viagra canada
generic levitra vardenafil 20mg https://vegavardenafil.com/ vardenafil prices
sildenafil over the counter canada https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ sildenafil 2.5
generic viagra cost walmart canada https://canadaviagrastore.com/ viagra canada
sildenafil comparison https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ sildenafil 48 tabs
vardenafil 10 mg https://vegavardenafil.com/ vardenafil vs viagra
canadian online pharmacies http://onlinecanda21.com/ pharmacies in canada
average perscription pills taken by 65 year old canadian? https://canadapillstorex.com/ canadian pharmacies ed pills
rui tadalafil http://boxtadafil.com/ radar 20 tadalafil
Zerit http://uspharmus.com/ Lotensin
levitra patent expiration brand levitra viagra and levitra
buy original cialis online https://cileve.com/ cialis nz
online pharmacy without scripts https://canadianeve21.com/ medical pharmacies
tadalafil 40 https://elitadalafill.com/ what is tadalafil
dgeneric cialis http://asciled.com/ canadianmed cialis
viagra levitra cialis which works better? https://cileve.com/ – buy cialis online cialis prescription online
average perscription pills taken by 65 year old canadian? https://canadapillstorex.com/ average perscription pills taken by 65 year old canadian?
aarp recommended canadian pharmacies https://onlinecanda21.com/ cialis professional
viagra cialis levitra http://gensitecil.com/ what is the active ingredient in viagra
viagra super active http://canadianeve21.com/ – Cardizem hiv
buy sildenafil 100mg online price https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ sildenafil generic us
levitra for women http://uslevitraanna.com/ levitra dosage recommendations
arghentina cialis https://asciled.com/ cialis\'
online canadian discount pharmacy https://uspharmus.com/ Cialis Soft Tabs
avanafil india avana
viagra from canada https://canadaviagrastore.com/ cheap viagra from canada
sulfur effects on body https://chloroquineorigin.com/ chloroquine side effects
sildenafil generic in united states https://eunicesildenafilcitrate.com/ sildenafil tablets uk
priligy pills for sale dapoxetine for sale
canadian diet pills https://canadapillstorex.com/ canadian generic pills
chloroquine phosphate tablet https://chloroquineorigin.com/ chloroquine drug class
cialis on line purches canadian pharmacy https://canadacialisstore.com/ canadian pharmacy cialis no prescription
prescription drugs online without Suhagra Grifulvin V
is generic tadalafil as good as cialis https://boxtadafil.com/ tadalafil on line
cialis black https://cileve.com/ ed. trusted medstore in cialis
do you need a prescription for viagra in canada https://canadaviagrastore.com/ generic viagra shipping from canada
avanafil stendra dosage avanafil cost
generic levitra india https://uslevitraanna.com/ price of levitra at cvs