Power of the Placebo
http://discovermagazine.com/20
This article examines some of the most important studies which have advanced the field of placebo research. Despite some lingering skepticism among certain researchers, studies have shown that endorphins, also called opioids, are linked to placebo treatments and can be very powerful natural painkillers, which are stored in the brain. Brain imaging has also revealed placebos can reduce activity in the anterior cingulate cortec (ACC), thalamus, and insula. All while relieving pain. Although the placebo effects are not the same across disorders and diseases the article highlights Parkinson's disease, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and physical pain as being particularly prone to placebo effects.
In another novel study, a researcher in Bethesda, MD showed that not only could placebos inhibit relatively intense shocks (6/10 on the pain scale), but that this inhibition can carry over even when participants return days later. As the researcher put it, the brain "learns" to activate complex pathways every time it is given those particular stimuli. Finally, the article points out the ethical quandary presented by placebo effects, as deception may be fine for studies, but is completely different when dealing with real world patients in need of treatment.
I found many of the studies examined in this article to be novel and eye opening. To me the placebo effect almost seems like a very powerful, but unconscious emotion regulation technique. Obviously, structurally it ties in very closely with emotion regulation (ACC, Insula, PFC) and it has a lot to do with appraisal of situations. Personally, I think of it as a type of implicit cognitive-change emotion regulation technique, but more research relating the two concepts is certainly needed. As for the ethical issues surrounding its implementation in clinical settings, I don't believe that placebo treatment will ever be used as a stand alone treatment, but I do think they should be used in adjunct.
This article examines some of the most important studies which have advanced the field of placebo research. Despite some lingering skepticism among certain researchers, studies have shown that endorphins, also called opioids, are linked to placebo treatments and can be very powerful natural painkillers, which are stored in the brain. Brain imaging has also revealed placebos can reduce activity in the anterior cingulate cortec (ACC), thalamus, and insula. All while relieving pain. Although the placebo effects are not the same across disorders and diseases the article highlights Parkinson's disease, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and physical pain as being particularly prone to placebo effects.
In another novel study, a researcher in Bethesda, MD showed that not only could placebos inhibit relatively intense shocks (6/10 on the pain scale), but that this inhibition can carry over even when participants return days later. As the researcher put it, the brain "learns" to activate complex pathways every time it is given those particular stimuli. Finally, the article points out the ethical quandary presented by placebo effects, as deception may be fine for studies, but is completely different when dealing with real world patients in need of treatment.
I found many of the studies examined in this article to be novel and eye opening. To me the placebo effect almost seems like a very powerful, but unconscious emotion regulation technique. Obviously, structurally it ties in very closely with emotion regulation (ACC, Insula, PFC) and it has a lot to do with appraisal of situations. Personally, I think of it as a type of implicit cognitive-change emotion regulation technique, but more research relating the two concepts is certainly needed. As for the ethical issues surrounding its implementation in clinical settings, I don't believe that placebo treatment will ever be used as a stand alone treatment, but I do think they should be used in adjunct.
I like the idea of using placebos, but I do agree that the treatment will never be used alone because of ethical issues. The reason placebos were used to start with is to try to get people to manage symptoms without medicine. If you believe you feel good and act like you feel good, then you will really begin to feel better. I watched a Ted Talk for another class and it explained how the way we stand and feel about ourselves can greatly reduce stress and anxiety and will promote testosterone which makes you feel confident and powerful. If we could get more people to use these self healing strategies than the use of medications can be significantly reduced.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very exciting to see the brain conditioned to provide a placebo response, and the implications, I feel, are wide. I can't say I've ever considered the placebo method a treatment option, as the outright deception to achieve it would tank any trust established in the medical community.
ReplyDeleteThat said, looking at conditioning methods to elicit a treated response without medication could offer insight into non-invasive or pharmaceutical ways to manage things like pain or potentially psychotic symptoms (though that feels like the biggest of big stretches). An understanding of how we provoke the placebo effect can only give us insight into the functions of the symptoms we apparently overcome.