What percent is placebo?

[Vince]

AI Overview
The percentage of results that are placebo varies depending on the study type and condition being treated, but can range from 21% to 40%:
Placebo-controlled trials

• The average placebo response in placebo-controlled trials is 34%.
• Antidepressant clinical trials
  The mean placebo response rate in antidepressant clinical trials is 30% to 40%.
• Pain
  In one study, 44% of patients with pain experienced a psychological benefit from a placebo.
• Mental or emotional disorders
  In one study, 48% of patients with mental or emotional disorders experienced a psychological benefit from a placebo.
• Gastrointestinal disorders
  In one study, 40% of patients with gastrointestinal disorders experienced a psychological benefit from a placebo.
• Sexual dysfunction
  In one study, 50% of patients with sexual dysfunction experienced a psychological benefit from a placebo.

Placebos are commonly used in clinical practice, and it's estimated that about 40% of prescriptions are placebos.
The placebo response in clinical trials: more questions than answers - PMC

PubMed Central

The placebo response in clinical trials: more questions than answers - PMC

Meta-analyses and re-analyses of trial data have not been able to answer some of the essential questions that would allow prediction of placebo responses in clinical trials. We will confront these questions with current empirical evidence. The most ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[BadassBlues]

If at some point in time mankind learns to harness the power of the mind, we may likely do away with a vast majority of things, including most medications.

 

[Vince]

AI Overview
A placebo makes someone feel better because of the "placebo effect," which is primarily driven by a person's belief and expectation that they are receiving a beneficial treatment, even though the placebo itself contains no active ingredients; this belief triggers the body's natural healing mechanisms, potentially releasing chemicals like endorphins that can alleviate pain or discomfort, and can also influence how a person perceives their symptoms.

• Key points about the placebo effect:
• Positive expectations:
  When someone believes a treatment will work, their brain can activate systems that produce positive physiological responses, like reduced stress hormones or increased pain tolerance.
  • Conditioning:
• Similar to classical conditioning, the act of taking a "treatment" (even if it's a placebo) can become associated with feeling better, leading to a conditioned response when the placebo is taken again.
  • Neurochemical changes:
• Studies have shown that placebos can trigger the release of natural pain relievers like endorphins, as well as other neurotransmitters like dopamine, which can contribute to feelings of well-being.
• Doctor-patient relationship:
• The trust and confidence in a healthcare provider can significantly influence the placebo effect.

The power of the placebo effect - Harvard Health

Under the right circumstances, a placebo effect—in which the brain convinces the body a fake treatment is the real thing—can be as effective as traditional treatments....

www.health.harvard.edu