Which wins- the mental attitude or the placebo effect?

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When we take pharmaceuticals or homeopathic remedies to alleviate symptoms, it is hard to determine if the drug is the active agent or our brain is.  For example, I discussed vitamin supplements in May 2011. Now, there’s new data that suggest echinacea may fall in the category of placebo, as well.

Dr. Barrett led a group of researchers at the University of Wisconsin that studied 719 subjects over four years (2004-8) to determine the effect of taking a pill on the common cold.  The results were published in the Annals of Family Medicine. Basically, they found that when one takes a pill, the subjects had less severe symptoms.  Notice, I did NOT say what kind of pill.

The group chose the common cold as the test malady because there is no proven effective treatment.  As such, there can be no ethical issues when placing a subject in group receiving a placebo or no treatment at all.  (There are some 500 million viral respiratory infections annually (non-influenza) in the US.)  Prior to the study, all the subjects were interviewed to determine their beliefs about the effectiveness of echinacea.

The subjects, aged 12 through 80, were divided into four separate groups.  Group 1 received no therapy.  Group 2 received echinacea and knew it.  Group 3 received echinacea and did not know what the pill contained, while group 4 received a control pill (placebo) but believed in the effectiveness of echinacea.  Those who were administered pills were told to take them four times a day- 2 pills each time on the first day, followed by a single pill each time for four more days.

Not only were symptoms monitored, but viral titers were determined (sampled via the patients’ noses) to determine if the cold were still present.  Twice a day, the subjects completed a survey assessing their symptoms.  Adherence to protocol (taking all pills as directed) was 95% (of the 545 subjects receiving pills), with no differences among the three groups taking the pills.

The cold duration lasted between six and seven days for the first 3 groups.  There were no differences between Groups 2 and 3 (knowing they took echinacea and not knowing if they took it).  Group 4 had the shortest cold durations- some 2.5 days shorter.  [These 120 folks rated the effectiveness of echinacea over 50 on the effectiveness scale (where 100 was totally effective).]  Also noted in the study was a slightly higher rate of reporting headaches by those who received no pills (62% versus 50% in the other three groups).

So, the next time someone tells you that those that pray have a better recovery than those that don’t, remember:  If you believe it- it will come!

Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A.

 

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4 thoughts on “Which wins- the mental attitude or the placebo effect?”

  1. Roy, as a Specialized Kinesiologist I work directly with the Spirit to find out what is wrong, where and how to heal the issue (the entire history of the issue not just the symptoms). I see very interesting results that fit with your post.
    I can see an issue entirely cleared and yet the person insists they see no difference. While that is rare (most people who come to me do want to heal) in my practice it is not uncommon in medicine and healing.
    People run programs in their subconscious mind that determine everything that happens for them—their actions, what beliefs fit, what will work and why it will not work. Even when someone does believe it will work they may still run a program that negates their supposed desire to feel better.
    Bottom line – yes, what a person believes is everything. In my work we go into the subconscious mind to clear those programs. Without that step healing may be temporary—reappearing somewhere else in the body, seemingly as a new condition.

    1. Ali:
      This is a wonderful addition to my post. I am so glad you added these comments. As one who always loved the concept of kinesiology (I began reading about it sometime in the early 60’s), you’ve hit upon one of those key facts.
      This is also why running clinical trials can be an issue. One has to insure we are measuring pharmacological or physiological results- not ones that are dependent upon the attitudes or beliefs of the subject.

      Thanks for dropping in!!!!
      Roy

  2. The mind is powerful. Our beliefs and the beliefs we buy into are powerful. This study makes me think that in studying things regardless of the parameters, we influence the study just by undertaking the study. When people know they are being watched something happens even subtly.
    We need to listen to our inner answers but instead we listen to experts. God help us

    1. Roberta, one of the most interesting theories I learned (at a relatively early age) was the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. It states that we cannot study both the position and the momentum of an object simultaneously. In the process of our studying the item precisely for one of these attributes, we have altered its other properties.
      This is why so many of our studies are never complete. We can try to design out prejudices (of the researchers or the subjects), but in reality, there are always some alterations to the environment. Whether it’s the usefulness of a drug, the effect of a change in educational standards, a pilot product rollout- we change something when we scrutinize it closely. The trick is to equilibriate the focus we apply with the distance needed to NOT change the situation.
      Thanks for your great addition- we DO influence the study just by undertaking it!
      Roy

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