The placebo effect is one of the most fascinating examples of how the mind and body interact. It happens when a person feels better after receiving a treatment that has no active ingredient, such as a sugar pill, simply because they expect it to help.
How the placebo effect works
Researchers believe the placebo effect involves expectation, learning and the body’s own responses. When we expect relief, the brain may release natural chemicals that ease pain or help us relax. Past experiences, the care we receive and even the look of a treatment can shape what we expect.
What it can and can’t do
Placebo effects seem strongest for symptoms the brain helps to shape, like pain, nausea and tiredness. They can make people feel better, but they don’t usually change the underlying cause of an illness. A placebo can’t shrink a tumour or fight an infection.
That’s why the placebo effect is a reason to take the mind seriously, not a reason to skip treatment. Keep to any treatment you’ve been given, and let your existing care know about anything new you’d like to try.
The nocebo effect
The opposite can happen too. When people expect side effects or harm, they sometimes feel worse, even when nothing in the treatment could cause it. This is called the nocebo effect.
What we can learn from it
The placebo effect reminds us that our thoughts, feelings and expectations influence how we experience our bodies. Kindness, reassurance and a sense of being cared for really do matter.
Ways to support your wellbeing
- Notice what helps you feel calm and safe.
- Approach your self-care with hope rather than dread.
- Surround yourself with supportive people.
- Be gentle with yourself when you’re unwell.
How little is enough
Next time you take care of yourself, whether with a cup of tea or an early night, do it with the intention of feeling better. Notice how it feels.
For more, read holistic health: caring for body, mind and spirit together.
For a quiet place to write your way through this season, you’ll find a guided journal on the Guides page.