The Placebo Effect

Takahide Morita

Outline

Conclusion

What is placebo?

Can Belief Cure People, a

nd How? Can We Control

the Placebo Effect? Why

Does it Work Well for Som

e People, but Not for Othe

rs? Can We Use It As a M

edicine, Also Ethically?

Brain

Jon-Kar Zubieta (2005)

PET Scan(positron emission

Tomography)

http://www2.jyi.org/news/nb.php?id=429

endorphine(mu-opioid)

http://www.adhd-institute.com/Treatment/Medication-based-therapy.aspx

•

• Psychological

• ⇓

•

Physical•

Peter Trimmer (2012)

evolution?

Similar to Placebo

A switch

that kick

into action

the immune system

why not evolve the ability to get better immediately on our own?

…to save energy. ⇒proven by

computer simulations

Ted Kaptchuk (2008)Acupuncture treatment for IBS

1, No treatment ⇒28%

Fake treatment

2, business-like

⇒44%

3, warm and supportive

⇒62%

Conclusion

Doctor as placebo

Thank you !