[Stitcher]

Placebo treatments stronger than doctors thought

By MARIA CHENG
The Associated Press
Thursday, February 18, 2010; 7:01 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...021804873.html

LONDON -- When it comes to the placebo effect, it really may be mind over matter, a new analysis suggests.

In a review of recent research, international experts say there is increasing evidence that fake treatments, or placebos, have an actual biological effect in the body.

The doctor-patient relationship, plus the expectation of recovery, may sometimes be enough to change a patient's brain, body and behavior, experts write. The review of previous research on placebos was published online Friday in Lancet, the British medical journal.

[MixedHerbs]

I was amused when a doctor friend told me people can suffer placebo induced side-effects.

Always read the label.

Peter.

[lindylanka]

PD is often quoted in relationship to placebo. Less talked about is that placebo effect can occur in anything. Including ;0 sideffects! Thanks Peter for reminding us!

Lindy