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placebos

·May 24, 2025·4 min read

Placebo Triggers Brain’s Opioid System to Relieve Pain

Researchers have successfully induced the placebo effect in rats, uncovering the neural mechanisms behind how belief in pain relief can reduce the perception of pain. Using conditioning, rats learned to associate injections with pain relief, and later exhibited reduced pain responses even when injected with saline.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·September 5, 2024·6 min read

Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Pain More Than Placebo

Mindfulness meditation reduces pain by engaging distinct brain mechanisms, different from the placebo effect. Researchers found that mindfulness meditation was significantly more effective at reducing pain intensity and unpleasantness compared to placebo treatments.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 23, 2024·5 min read

Knowingly Taking Placebos Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Researchers have discovered that nondeceptive placebos—placebos given with the full knowledge that they are placebos—can effectively manage stress, even when administered remotely. In a two-week randomized controlled trial, participants experiencing prolonged stress were divided into two groups: one group received nondeceptive placebos, while the other served as a control.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 25, 2024·4 min read

Imagination Reduces Disgust More Than Placebo

A recent study compared the effects of a placebo pill and an imaginary pill in reducing visually induced disgust. Both interventions lowered disgust intensity, with the imaginary placebo showing greater efficacy. Participants rated the imaginary pill higher for expected and perceived effectiveness. This research suggests that the imaginary intake of a placebo can be a powerful tool for emotion regulation.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 6, 2020·3 min read

Placebos Prove Powerful Even When People Know They’re Taking One

Placebos reduce biomarkers in the brain of emotional distress, even when a patient knows they are taking one.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles Pain Psychology

·September 12, 2018·4 min read

Sugar Pills Provide Relief for Those with Chronic Pain

According to a new study, placebo sugar pills appear to relieve pain as effectively as medication for almost half of patients who suffer chronic pain. Researchers report those with chronic pain who received sugar pills felt a 30% reduction in symptoms.

Featured Neurology

·February 10, 2016·3 min read

Teaching Neurons to Respond to Placebos Could Help Treat Parkinson’s

Researchers have discovered a way to make neurons respond to placebos. They believe the findings could be used as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease.

Image shows a woman meditating by a river.

Featured Psychology

·November 11, 2015·3 min read

Mindful Meditation Reduces Pain More Effectively than Placebo Treatments

Researchers report people who participated in mindful meditation received more pain relief than those who used placebo meditation techniques and creams.