Placebo pain relievers and price

Placebo pain relief, really?

Yes, placebos work for pain, so say Dr. Weber et al. in JAMA…the more the price, the better the placebos work. After all you get what you pay for.

Some doctors probably do use placebos knowingly or unknowingly for chronic painful conditions that they can’t find effective treatments? These may include irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, interstitial cystitis etc.

The question arises, should the doctors use placebos knowingly? If yes, the more expensive ones?

And where do you draw the line? Should the doctor be allowed to have a shop displaying remedies in his clinic?

Please share your thoughts.

Comments

[Tammy Elaine]

I believe this is a necessary evil in "studies"; however, if I found out that a physician was prescribing me sugar pills for my FM pain I would sue him for negligence. I agree that the role of the mind is powerful in healing but after suffering from FM for 15 years, I know that a placebo will not cure it.