What is the placebo effect?

The placebo effect refers to psychological and physiological improvements in a person's condition due to their expectations about a treatment rather than the treatment itself actually having an effect. When individuals believe they are receiving a treatment, even if it is a placebo—a substance with no therapeutic effect—they may experience real changes in their symptoms. This phenomenon highlights the significant role that mindset and anticipation of outcomes can play in health and medical treatments.

In many clinical trials, the placebo group is essential for determining the actual efficacy of a new medication or treatment, as it allows researchers to distinguish the effects stemming purely from the active treatment from those due to participants’ beliefs and expectations. This underscores the importance of psychological factors in medical settings, emphasizing that the mind can greatly influence physical health outcomes.