Chapter 2

Question 1

What is a placebo?

Answer 1

An inactive substance or condition that has the appearance of an active treatment and that may cause participants to improve or change because of their belief in the placebo’s efficacy.

Question 2

What is the nocebo?

Answer 2

The adverse effects that can come along with the placebo. Some people who receive a placebo experience negative side-effects, such as nausea/vomiting (as always), headaches, dry mouth, sleep disturbances etc.
There is neuroscientific evidence that the nocebo has a physical effect on the brain.

Question 3

What factors can make the placebo stronger?

Answer 3

• The more it resembles an effective treatment.
• Big pills better than medium, small pills better than medium pills.
• Coloured pills better than white tablets.
• Capsules work better than tablets.
• Brand names better than generic (e.g. Advil vs Ibuprofen).
• Two doses better than one dose.
• Injection is more powerful than a pill, and a surgery prompts larger placebo than injection.
• More expensive placebo works better than cheaper pills.
• Physician and patient expectations.
• Physicians who are more positive and hopeful about treatment.
• Practitioner characteristics (e.g. eputation, attention, interest, concern, and confidence that is projected onto a treatment being effective).

Question 4

How and why does the placebo effect occur?

Answer 4

Combination of psychological and physiological influences.
Expectancy is a major component. People act in ways that they think they should. Tus, people who receive treatment without their knowledge do not benefit as much as those who know what to expect.
Even culture has an influence. Cultures with stronger faith in medicine show stronger placebo responses.
Learning and conditioning.