‘…[A]s evidence of the [placebo] effect’s power mounts, members of the medical community are increasingly asking an intriguing question: if the placebo effect can help patients, shouldn’t we start putting it to work? In certain ways, placebos are ideal drugs: they typically have no side effects and are essentially free. And in recent years, research has confirmed that they can bring about genuine improvements in a number of conditions. An active conversation is now under way in leading medical journals, as bioethicists and researchers explore how to give people the real benefits of pretend treatment.’ (Boston Globe)

Related:

• What Do You Expect From Your Pharmacy? (sciencebasedmedicine.org)
• Placebo isn’t a dirty word (boingboing.net)
• The Nothing Cure: Taking the placebo effect seriously (ctv.ca)
• Magic Has Increased By 20% (lockergnome.com)
• Acupuncture for mice (nature.com)
• The Uses of Medicinal Plants by Chinese Herbalists (herbalmedicine.suite101.com)
• Stop funding homeopathy, MPs urge (guardian.co.uk)