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Placebo

All articles tagged with #placebo

One Psilocybin Dose May Deliver Months of Depression Relief
health2 days ago

One Psilocybin Dose May Deliver Months of Depression Relief

In a small randomized trial of 35 participants with recurring depression, a single dose of psilocybin plus psychological support reduced depressive symptoms within days and provided benefits for just over three months versus placebo, where over half the psilocybin group no longer met depression criteria by six weeks, compared with limited improvement in the placebo group. After a year, the gap narrowed as placebo participants improved, highlighting the influence of expectations and the challenges of blinding. The study suggests psilocybin could help broader forms of depression but requires cautious interpretation and further research.

via ScienceAlert|
#depression#health#mental-health
Peppermint Oil Shows Potential to Lower Mild Hypertension in 20-Day Trial
health6 days ago

Peppermint Oil Shows Potential to Lower Mild Hypertension in 20-Day Trial

A 20-day randomized, placebo-controlled study by researchers at the University of Lancashire found that taking 100 microliters of peppermint oil twice daily lowered systolic blood pressure by about 8.5 mmHg in adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension, suggesting peppermint oil as a low-cost, well-tolerated option to help manage mild hypertension; the authors call for further research.

via SciTechDaily|
#blood-pressure#health#hypertension
Nocebo Unmasked: How Negative Expectations Shape Illness
science3 months ago

Nocebo Unmasked: How Negative Expectations Shape Illness

Carol Tavris reviews Helen Pilcher’s This Book May Cause Side Effects, examining how negative expectations can produce real symptoms and influence medical outcomes. She highlights compelling examples (like statin side effects mirroring placebo) but critiques the book for overgeneralizing the idea that all illness can be worsened by nocebo and for lacking precise data in places. Still, she notes useful implications and strategies—reframing supposed side effects, emphasizing the majority who don’t experience them, and pursuing personalized informed consent—to counter the nocebo effect in clinical care.

via Skeptic|
#critical-thinking#nocebo#placebo
Wellness patches: trendy fix or real boost?
health4 months ago

Wellness patches: trendy fix or real boost?

A tester reviews multiple wellness patches marketed for energy, sleep, focus, and cramps, finding little solid evidence they work; effects are largely placebo and vary by person and patch, with costs and ingredients under-regulated in many cases. The piece concludes patches are a cosmetic, “handbag health” trend rather than a cure-all, not a substitute for sleep hygiene or medical care.

via The Guardian|
#energy#health#placebo
Meditation Retreats Rapidly Reprogram Body and Mind, Study Finds
health-and-neuroscience6 months ago

Meditation Retreats Rapidly Reprogram Body and Mind, Study Finds

This study explores the neural and molecular effects of a 7-day mind-body retreat combining meditation, reconceptualization, and healing rituals, revealing significant changes in brain connectivity, neuroplasticity markers, metabolic pathways, immune responses, and exosomal RNAs, suggesting systemic physiological and psychological benefits beyond placebo effects.

via Nature|
#health-and-neuroscience#meditation#mind-body-interventions
RFK Jr. Calls for Placebo Testing on New Vaccines, Critics Argue Against Scientific Validity
health8 months ago

RFK Jr. Calls for Placebo Testing on New Vaccines, Critics Argue Against Scientific Validity

RFK Jr. advocates for all new vaccines to be tested against placebos, but many experts argue this isn't always scientifically or ethically appropriate, especially when effective vaccines already exist. The debate centers on balancing rigorous safety testing with ethical considerations, as most childhood vaccines were historically tested against placebos, but modern standards often prevent placebo use when effective treatments are available.

via PBS|
#health#medical-ethics#placebo
Placebos Found Effective for Some Mental Disorders
health2 years ago

Placebos Found Effective for Some Mental Disorders

A meta-analysis of 90 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 10,000 adults found that placebos can significantly improve symptoms of various mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. The study supports the ethical use of placebo controls in clinical trials and suggests that initial non-medication approaches may be viable for some patients. However, for disorders like OCD and schizophrenia, medication remains crucial. The findings highlight the importance of belief in treatment and the natural course of mental disorders.

via CNN|
#clinical-trials#health#medication
"The Power of Belief: Unraveling the Placebo Effect"
health2 years ago

"The Power of Belief: Unraveling the Placebo Effect"

Open-label placebos (OLPs) have gained attention in the medical community as a potential treatment for various conditions, despite the lack of a clear understanding of how they work. OLPs involve prescribing inert substances to patients, openly acknowledging that they are placebos. While the concept of the placebo response is not new, the use of open-label placebos has gained traction in recent years. Researchers have proposed several hypotheses for why OLPs may be effective, including the psychological impact of taking action, conditioned expectations, and the therapeutic encounter between the researcher and patient. Ultimately, the use of OLPs highlights the importance of hope and the patient's belief in the power of treatment.

via WIRED|
#clinical-trials#health#medical-treatment