How does placebo work?

What is the placebo effect? It has long been known about placebo, or substances that do not have obvious medicinal properties, but have a positive effect on the body. The placebo effect is based on psycho-emotional impact. But researchers have proven time and time again that a placebo with no active ingredients can stimulate real physiological responses, including changes in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as chemical activity in the brain. The placebo also helps relieve pain, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and even some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

It is still not fully understood how our psyche may affect our health, and scientists cannot unravel the mechanisms underlying physiological responses to placebo. Obviously, many different aspects are woven into the effect, while dummy drugs do not affect the source or cause of the disease.

It has been experimentally established that the reaction of the body differs depending on the method of delivery of the placebo (when taking pills or injections). Also, placebos give only the expected, that is, known in advance, therapeutic effect. And the higher the expectations, the stronger the placebo effect.

In addition, it is known that it can be enhanced with active verbal influence on the patient. Not everyone is affected by placebo. More often, placebo acts on extroverts, people with increased levels of anxiety, suspiciousness, and self-doubt.

In October 2013, a study was published demonstrating that the placebo effect is associated with an increase in brain alpha activity. Alpha waves occur in a relaxed state, which is similar to a light trance or meditation - that is, in the most suggestible state. The placebo effect has a significant effect on the human nervous system in the region of the spinal cord. But so far no one has been able to describe in detail the mechanism of its influence.