THE PLACEBO EFFECT

(1 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)

 Loading ...

"LOS JOYEROS GRUPO DE LECHONES" CARNIVAL SANTIAGO 2010

Sounds almost like the title of a scary movie. It will be new mega-blockbuster epic where the hero manages to overcome the dire threat of world domination by some thought-control maniac. The truth though is probably not far removed from fiction. We have all experienced the notion that the “placebo effect” occurs in medical treatments where doctors give patients medicines which they tell them will cure their illnesses. These medicines turn out to contain nothing of medical benefit in terms of drugs, antibiotics, pain-killers etc; they are just inert coated sugar pills. Reasoning continues that it is the power of the patient’s own belief that actually cures them. The mental jump from this is to then say that it is the effectiveness of positive self-awareness which gives you access to a potent skill. This will enhance your own self-esteem and will allow you to reach your full potential.

Well this all sounds easy doesn’t it? All you have to do is think positive and display a good happy confident mental attitude and all will be for the better. Well as the doctor may say, “There is good news and there is bad news. Which one do you want first?” I always tend to like the bad news first and then I have something better to look forward to. What does this say about me, or you for this matter, if you think the same way? Well for starters we are looking out for the good news as the end point. Research conducted over the last ten years points to placebo effects being related to the meaningful way any treatment is presented. In most cases this is also influenced by our cultural heritage both religious and social. So if some of us want the bad news first the chances are we have had similar cultural influences. So the bad news: 50% believe that the placebo effect is not worth anything. The good news: the other 50% think it is worth a lot!

I know from my own professional show business experiences that even when one is feeling ill, there is nothing like the “roar of the crowd and the smell of the grease paint” to suddenly banish all ills and enable an actor to give a stunning performance. This represents a really forceful placebo effect as the audience are not providing anything which may be regarded as medicinal in terms of antibiotics. However emotional stimulation hits a performing in buckets full.

A week, after the catastrophic Haitian earthquake, I visited the neighbouring Dominican Republic. For me this brought home the effects of collective positive thinking. The Dominican Republic were the first to respond with rescue and aid relief but their deeply rooted Roman Catholic beliefs enabled them to come together and gain positive “vibes” as they continued to assist their grief stricken neighbours. I attended a real heart-warming event organised through Jose Ricardo Taveras – the FNP Member of Parliament for their second city – Santiago. Here the youngsters dressed up as cultural heritage “Lechones” (piglets), bringing hope and joy to all they touched. With their traditional colourful costumes, stylist horns, noses and somewhat crazy dancing none of us could resist having our spirits lifted.

In a similar way doctors and medicine have meaningful ways of presentation which affects the outcome of treatment. Even at the outset, white coats and stethoscopes hanging out of pockets are only a costume which influences the way patients feel. So remember when someone next mentions “the placebo effect” it is really the power of a patient’s beliefs and expectations that will produce a healthy improvement. If you accept that “the placebo effect” just happens then that mega blockbuster movie may well be produced. But if you are able to recognise the part your own emotions and personality play then you will have opened the door to a powerful tool. It will be true to say that this really will help enhance your own self-esteem and allow you to develop your potential.

Dave Eager