The National Geographic article is quite interesting. Last week, I was reading the book that it is related to “Suggestible You: The Curious Power of Your Brain to Deceive, Transform and Heal” by Erik Vance. The first few chapters are all about the placebo effect, and how some conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease, are particularly prone to it.

Contrary to GerryW's post, it does not suggest that PD is psychogenic. Instead, it explores placebos, and suggests the placebo effect is real.

It also talks about a particular COMT genetic variation, which supposedly is common amongst large numbers of people who respond to placebos in trials related to PD and some other conditions.

Of particular interest to PD is the case of a PwP who saw dramatic improvements (that have persisted) after receiving sham surgery as part of a placebo control group in a clinical trial that failed.

I haven't participated enough in this group, so I can't post links.

**

The book is quite thought provoking.