Transcript Placebo: Cracking the Code

Placebo: Cracking the Code
• Why is there an ‘unwritten’ rule about not giving placebos?
• Should doctors prescribe placebos? How might they increase the
effect of active drugs?
• What standard is set for drug trials?
• Why did Janet Schonfeld (depression case) respond to placebo?
• What conclusion did Kirsch reach regarding antidepressants and
why? How do you think drug companies responded?
• What is a nocebo and what evidence is there for nocebo effects?
• How did Benedetti increase the effectiveness of placebo
analgesia? What theoretical approach does this draw on?
• How would you use placebo effectively in treatment?
• Why did future cases of ‘elephant skin’ not respond to hypnosis?
• Why do you think there is limited research on placebo effects?
• What impact do you think placebo research might have in areas
of psychology or therapy outside of drug research?