Placebos: Substitutes or Genuine Treatments?

Placebos are fascinating because their effects can be so powerful, leading to improvements in health without the therapeutic components usually associated with medical treatments. A placebo effect is the result of an expectation of an effect, and while the effect itself is real, it is not due to any inherent properties of the substance used as a placebo. In many cases, placebo effects can be quite significant.

No Placebos Work Every Time

While placebo effects can be substantial, it's important to understand that no placebos work every single time. Studies have shown that placebos work approximately 33% of the time, whereas most medical treatments show success rates between 60 and 90%. This wide margin between the success rates of placebos and actual medical treatments highlights the importance of rigorous testing and reliable evidence in the development of new treatments.

The Standard for Genuine Treatments

The gold standard for any medical treatment is that it must be more effective than a placebo. This means that medical research is always designed to demonstrate that a new treatment is superior to no treatment or a placebo. When a treatment is compared to a placebo and found to be less effective, it is discarded. This is because, in clinical research, the placebo effect serves as a baseline to measure against the actual therapeutic effects of a new treatment.

The Placebo Effect: Real but Not the Same

The placebo effect is a genuine phenomenon, and many people do feel better when they believe they are receiving real medication. However, the placebo effect should not be mistaken for actual therapeutic efficacy. A genuine treatment has real, verifiable effects that go beyond mere psychological comfort. For instance, if you take amlodipine, your blood pressure will reduce reliably regardless of whether you believe in its efficacy or not. The same effect can be observed when the medication is given to an unsuspecting individual, showing the real impact of the treatment.

Debunking Common Misconceptions

There are numerous answers on platforms like Quora that often misrepresent the role of placebos in medical treatments. Experts like Christine Laing and Sean have provided some of the best clarifications. A key myth is the idea that most 'real treatments' aim to cure disease. In reality, many medical treatments are designed to manage symptoms or slow disease progression, rather than providing a complete cure. This makes the debate about whether placebos are genuine treatments a non-starter, as both placebos and real treatments fall into the category of non-curative therapies.

From an ethical and practical standpoint, it's crucial to ensure that any treatment offered to patients is backed by robust scientific evidence and has been shown to be superior to a placebo. While placebo effects can play a role in patient outcomes, they should not overshadow the need for genuine, effective treatments that can reliably improve health.

Conclusion

The placebo effect is a complex and intriguing aspect of human physiology, but it is not a substitute for genuine medical treatments. Effective treatments rely on more than just the placebo effect; they require real, verifiable results that can be consistently observed and replicated. Understanding the difference is crucial for advancing medical science and ensuring patients receive the best care possible.