Many years ago I was pursuing my Master's degree in Sociology when I thought I had come up with a brilliant idea for my thesis. I wondered why the Placebo effect itself was rarely if ever studied. I was teaching methodology to Sociology 101 students so I was well aware of how to design a good research study. I thought I had a real winner. In my youthful naivete I overlooked the behemoth pharmaceutical industry that I was inadvertantly aligning against.
Oct 27, 2022·edited Oct 27, 2022Liked by Amy Sukwan
The so-called Placebo effect is understood from the fringes. That is to say, the drug companies understand what it can do or rather what the mind can do.
The structure studies as if placebo itself is a margin but they know it isn’t. The idea is to beat placebo. Yet, they actually manage the expectations of populations in the study based on the predicted drug benefits and side effects.
In drug studies they tend to exclude depressed people and people treated for the issue by various means. Both those populations have difficulty accepting the subtle benefit/side effects info that they seed them with and thus don’t self-reinforce what they perceive happening as the study goes on. Instead of, I have this pain, I must be in the drug group! And then they experience the benefits…they experience whatever, side effects or positive effects and think (even if subconsciously) so what, it won’t work for long).
It is not studied because placebo/nocebo effect is so powerful that it is responsible for much disease and healing. The power of the mind behind the effect is responsible for almost all disease and healing.
An interesting book on this is “Cancer is Not a disease!” by Andreas Moritz
"because there was absolutely no money to be made"?!?! Outrageous and flagrant self-own. "Science" has no interest in practical matters of the spirit, and they vehemently defend the lack. That's all we need to know about their agenda.
I remember a study from 10 years or so ago that claimed to show that the placebo effect wasn't actually a thing, in that it altered a measurable outcome. Rather, the reporting of the subjects was more positive than the objective situation, when they believed it worked.
I have no idea how commonly a drug working in a patient is assessed by asking them. Is there something like a proof that placebo can lower measurable cholesterol levels or something like that?
Probably, psych meds totally rely on asking.
I'd have been glad as a student in need of money to know afterwards to not haven't gotten any real crap, lol. But then again I was weary of pharma pretty early.
I did take part as a subject for someone's psychology thesis, though. Not with meds, but doing stuff on a computer, reacting to sounds and colors. That was somewhat confusing. Never looked up the paper later, can't remember her name anymore, damn. That would be interesting.
Interesting story in 'follow the money'. Sorry about not getting your masters but you preserved your integrity.
Speaking of placebo effect, check this research out.
https://www.painscience.com/biblio/fascinating-landmark-study-of-placebo-surgery-for-knee-osteoarthritis.html
And Happy New Year 🎉 to you!
The so-called Placebo effect is understood from the fringes. That is to say, the drug companies understand what it can do or rather what the mind can do.
The structure studies as if placebo itself is a margin but they know it isn’t. The idea is to beat placebo. Yet, they actually manage the expectations of populations in the study based on the predicted drug benefits and side effects.
In drug studies they tend to exclude depressed people and people treated for the issue by various means. Both those populations have difficulty accepting the subtle benefit/side effects info that they seed them with and thus don’t self-reinforce what they perceive happening as the study goes on. Instead of, I have this pain, I must be in the drug group! And then they experience the benefits…they experience whatever, side effects or positive effects and think (even if subconsciously) so what, it won’t work for long).
It is not studied because placebo/nocebo effect is so powerful that it is responsible for much disease and healing. The power of the mind behind the effect is responsible for almost all disease and healing.
An interesting book on this is “Cancer is Not a disease!” by Andreas Moritz
Amy, That is just screwed up. Very clever sounding experiment. No telling, You could have added something to human knowledge.
"because there was absolutely no money to be made"?!?! Outrageous and flagrant self-own. "Science" has no interest in practical matters of the spirit, and they vehemently defend the lack. That's all we need to know about their agenda.
I remember a study from 10 years or so ago that claimed to show that the placebo effect wasn't actually a thing, in that it altered a measurable outcome. Rather, the reporting of the subjects was more positive than the objective situation, when they believed it worked.
I have no idea how commonly a drug working in a patient is assessed by asking them. Is there something like a proof that placebo can lower measurable cholesterol levels or something like that?
Probably, psych meds totally rely on asking.
I'd have been glad as a student in need of money to know afterwards to not haven't gotten any real crap, lol. But then again I was weary of pharma pretty early.
I did take part as a subject for someone's psychology thesis, though. Not with meds, but doing stuff on a computer, reacting to sounds and colors. That was somewhat confusing. Never looked up the paper later, can't remember her name anymore, damn. That would be interesting.