Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Lisbon Woman Reversed Scoliosis With Placebo Pills—But Do They Actually Work?

Placebo Effect

A biomedical research technician from Lisbon, Catarina Craveiro suffered from a chronic lower back pain due to <span>scoliosis</span> since childhood. The Washington Post reports that it was due to her condition that significantly limited her physical activities, it also forced her to rely on ibuprofen for pain relief. Not until in 2013, when she joined a clinical trial hoping for a breakthrough drug, did she find a life saving medicine. Surprisingly enough, it was no medicine, but a <span>placebo</span>. 

She was initially skeptical, but she still decided to be part of the trial. Her reason was simple, it can't make the situation worse. A decade later, at 33, Craveiro is not just free from any pain, but has become a competitive kickboxer, a coach, and mother of two. For all these changes, she has credited her experiences that believed that it was she and her mind that played an important role in her recovery. 

<h4>What Is the <span rel="noindex">Placebo Effect</span>?</h4>

It happens when a person experiences real improvements on their health after taking a treatment that has no active medicinal properties. This phenomenon had been widely studied and is now been recognized as a legitimate scientific concept. Researchers also believe that placebo effect works by activating specific areas of the brain that regulate pain, mood, and overall well-being. 

Traditionally too, placebo were in use. In many trials previously, participants were unaware that they were taking an inactive substance. However, emerging research suggests that placebo effect can still work even when patients are aware that they are taking a placebo. This is known as "open label" use 

While some think that it is only a psychological trick, it is not just limited to that. It also has biological basis. Studies from brain images show that placebos can stimulate the brain to release neurotransmitters such as endorphins, which help relieve pain and enhance mood. Experts also believe that brain's expectation of relief can trigger real physiological responses and contribute to symptom improvement. 

Researchers were also able to find that placebos can be effective for conditions which are influenced by bran function, such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. However, they do not work for ailments like tumors or high cholesterol, where biological mechanisms unrelated to brain activity play a primary role.

Due to its use is clinical settings with deception, a lot of ethical concerns also rose every once in a while. However, researchers now advocate for the use of open-label placebo, where patients are fully informed about the treatment and that it does not contain any active ingredients. As per experts and studies, it does not diminish the effect. Patients who knowingly take placebos still report the same improvement that they would had they were not told. Experts believe this happens due to a strong doctor-patient relationship, which enhances the effect. 

Medical researchers are exploring different ways to integrate placebos in conventional treatments now. One such approach is "dose-extending placebos". This is where the patient continues its prescribed medication while gradually incorporating placebos. This could reduce the dependency on strong medications, including opioids, minimizing side effects and addiction risks. 

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A biomedical research technician from Lisbon, Catarina Craveiro suffered from a chronic lower back pain due to scoliosis since childhood. The Washington Post reports that it was due to her condition that significantly limited her physical activities, it also forced her to rely on ibuprofen for pain relief. Not until in 2013, when she joined a clinical trial hoping for a breakthrough drug, did she find a life saving medicine. Surprisingly enough, it was no medicine, but a placebo. She was initially skeptical, but she still decided to be part of the trial. Her reason was simple, it can't make the situation worse. A decade later, at 33, Craveiro is not just free from any pain, but has become a competitive kickboxer, a coach, and mother of two. For all these changes, she has credited her experiences that believed that it was she and her mind that played an important role in her recovery. What Is the Placebo Effect?It happens when a person experiences real improvements on their health after taking a treatment that has no active medicinal properties. This phenomenon had been widely studied and is now been recognized as a legitimate scientific concept. Researchers also believe that placebo effect works by activating specific areas of the brain that regulate pain, mood, and overall well-being. Traditionally too, placebo were in use. In many trials previously, participants were unaware that they were taking an inactive substance. However, emerging research suggests that placebo effect can still work even when patients are aware that they are taking a placebo. This is known as "open label" use So, How Does Placebo Work?While some think that it is only a psychological trick, it is not just limited to that. It also has biological basis. Studies from brain images show that placebos can stimulate the brain to release neurotransmitters such as endorphins, which help relieve pain and enhance mood. Experts also believe that brain's expectation of relief can trigger real physiological responses and contribute to symptom improvement. Researchers were also able to find that placebos can be effective for conditions which are influenced by bran function, such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. However, they do not work for ailments like tumors or high cholesterol, where biological mechanisms unrelated to brain activity play a primary role.Due to its use is clinical settings with deception, a lot of ethical concerns also rose every once in a while. However, researchers now advocate for the use of open-label placebo, where patients are fully informed about the treatment and that it does not contain any active ingredients. As per experts and studies, it does not diminish the effect. Patients who knowingly take placebos still report the same improvement that they would had they were not told. Experts believe this happens due to a strong doctor-patient relationship, which enhances the effect. What Does The Future Look Like?Medical researchers are exploring different ways to integrate placebos in conventional treatments now. One such approach is "dose-extending placebos". This is where the patient continues its prescribed medication while gradually incorporating placebos. This could reduce the dependency on strong medications, including opioids, minimizing side effects and addiction risks. 