Nope, the placebo effect can have physical effects and be genuinely curative. The level to which this is the case is highly variable from patient to patient, but it is inaccurate to say that is limited to improving sensation and perception of illness. Not to mention, in many cases the malady being treated is one of perception, for example, in pain management. And alleviating pain in itself has downstream positive effects on disease progression and patient QOL.

[–] Rachelhazideas@lemm.ee 22 points 1 year ago

Actual chronic pain sufferer here. If I had a dollar every time placebo and positive thinking was prescribed to me, I would have enough to maybe hire a doctor who won't systemically downplay or dismiss my pain because of my age and gender.

[–] Rodeo@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think he's saying that although it's a treatment, it is not a cure.

It seems to me you are actually agreeing with him.

[–] fushuan@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The thing here is that some medicine doesn't really heal either. Paracetamol is just a pain suppressant, and ibuprofen partially suppresses it while accelerating blood flow and thus reducing inflammation, which is why it's used for sore throat, to avoid more friction and let the throat heal by itself.

Aleviating pain is sometimes what your body needs to start focusing on healing itself. It's not a miracle but it works when it does.

Say8ng that placebo effect doesn't heal you isn't really that revealing, plenty medicine doesn't either and that's okay, that's not their objective.

[–] Rodeo@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

You're right, those thing are treatments, not cures.

It's nice that we all agree.

[–] Drewelite@lemmy.villa-straylight.social 2 points 1 year ago

My random conjure if anyone cares:
I see it like many 'real' medicines that alleviate symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are the ones causing the issues, EX. a fever to kill germs can kill braincells. But like any medicine that alleviates symptoms, it can also hide problems. So I see it as a case by case thing.

[+] Nalivai@discuss.tchncs.de -29 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Absolutely not true, it has zero physical effect on the body.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL96to_4NYU Here, for more information

[–] raltoid@lemmy.world 42 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

I'm going to trust multiple peer-reviewed medical studies over a youtube talk with under 600 views.

Specially when it's on a channel branding itself as being skeptical towards science.

EDIT: On a closer look it's straight up just one of those conspiracy theory channels and organizations that present itself as actual science.

And here's a study if someone wants to look at actual science regarding the placebo effect:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6013051/

[–] irmoz@reddthat.com 2 points 1 year ago

on a channel branding itself as being skeptical towards science.

You may have misread - its description says it is a "science and skepticism event". Not skeptical of science.

I'm with you, otherwise.

[–] charlytune@mander.xyz 2 points 1 year ago

QED is actually the opposite of a conspiracy theory channel or organisation. They're very pro science and critical thinking, and spend a lot of time debunking conspiracy theories and pseudo-science.

I've got no skin in the debate in this thread, I didn't watch the actual video and have no opinion on the validity of what you or the other posters are saying, I'm just pointing out that I think that you're wrong to dismiss the channel as a source, even if you disagree with the claims made in that specific video.

[–] PipedLinkBot@feddit.rocks 2 points 1 year ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s): https://piped.video/watch?v=FL96to_4NYU

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source, check me out at GitHub.