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Underground > Laboratory >

The Placebo Effect

12:14 / 31.01.06

I was going to start a Temple thread on the Placebo effect, but I think it's best to get a scientific view of it first before I go off half-cocked about guided visualisation curing cancer. Pain and depression seem particularly susceptible to the placebo effect, but there are suggestions it has no physiological effect, just psychological.
This link mentions Meaning Response as a better term, but am I right in thinking it can't be explained? I'm noticing the word 'assumed' in this definition;

'In research, a scientifically significant response that cannot be explained by physiological variables and is assumed to be psychological in origin.'

Here's a full article on meaning response but I couldn't find any old threads on it. What do you think about it?

12:42 / 31.01.06

The effect may be a result of increased dopamine levels accompanying the (non-)treatment.

Scientists suggest rationale for the placebo effect

Scientists may have discovered a possible cause of the mysterious placebo effect whereby a sham medical treatment results in a genuine benefit to the patient.

...

Jon Stoessl, professor of neurology at Canada's University of British Columbia in Vancouver, believes that the placebo effect could be caused by the production of a powerful chemical in the brain called dopamine which is involved, among other things, in triggering the expectation of pleasure and reward.

Professor Stoessl carried out a study on patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, which is known to result from a lowering of normal levels of dopamine in certain parts of the brain.

Normally, when Parkinson's patients are given a chemical precursor to dopamine they show an improvement in levels of dopamine produced naturally in the brain, which makes them feel better.

However, when Professor Stoessl injected six of his Parkinson's patients with a simple saline solution he found that they, too, showed an improvement in levels of dopamine: he measured the average increase to be more than double.

21:48 / 31.01.06

and perhaps to extend that idea, given the frontal cortex is comprised of two hemispheres, and the hemispheres contain 'mirror' neurons for the neurons that fire under certain stimulus, this firing of mirror neurons (which happens when we merely witness an event - firing the neurons as if it were happening to us) could be responsible for the release of surplus dopamine. it is a nonconscious response in the brain, which is the mind...

on the matter of visualising a cure for cancer, i recall a time magazine special about a year ago on happiness in which the matter of mind over matter applied to cancer was addressed, concluding that there seems to be little evidence that visualisation or akin techniques can have any efficacy on cancer; though of course there are many positive effects on some of the associated symptoms and this is a good thing. dunno if there has been much since...

fascinating phenomenon, the placebo. the bane of many scientific experiment!!

09:47 / 01.02.06

Has anyone seen a study suggesting why brain function, notably visualisation, _CAN'T_ affect the health of the body?

Random thoughts on the topic...
1) Much of the brain's functions are geared towards affecting the body (e.g. we feel cold and our brain triggers a set of responses to flex our body hair, restrict blood flow & heat loss to/through the skin etc etc)
2) Whilst our concious mind generally "knows" the difference between "reality" (what we take in through our sense organs) and our imagination[1], it seems quite likely that the more automatic responses of the body-controlling centres of the brain are less discriminating[2]. Try putting on a sad face and imaginining yourself smiling at the same time.. I suspect you'll find you'll find it very difficult NOT laughing out loud very quickly (as much because it's silly as because you're giving your body two sets of conflicting signals at the same time)

[1] Frankly, even this is open for a degree of debate in itself as our perceptions work on a system of abstract model-forming making them a kind of "imagination of the real" anyway.
[2] I accept I'm making a wild assumption here

15:04 / 06.02.06

'At present there is no scientific evidence for hypnosis or visualisation being able to stop a cancer from growing or cure it. But for some people with cancer, these techniques have helped them to feel more relaxed and able to cope with their treatment.'

'The press have recently reported on some work being carried out by Professor Leslie Walker at the University of Hull. Professor Walker has opened a study looking at the effects of relaxation and guided imagery (visualisation) for people with cancer. '

Prof. Walker said;
"We have good scientific evidence that this treatment can promote psychological well being in women with breast cancer and now we want to learn if men and women with bowel cancer will get similar benefits. We also want to compare effects of relaxation and imagery, alone and in combination."

'This trial follows a similar study done by Professor Walker, involving 80 women diagnosed with breast cancer. All the women had standard treatment for their breast cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Half these women were taught relaxation techniques and guided imagery and the other half were not. The women who were taught these methods were encouraged to picture their immune systems trying to get rid of cancer cells. By the end of the 37-week trial, the women practicing relaxation therapy and visualisation said they had a better quality of life during chemotherapy; were in a more positive mood, and seemed better able to cope with their illness and treatment. Compared to the group not using relaxation and visualisation, they also had an increase in the number of white blood cells that fight disease. This could mean that the immune systems of the women using relaxation and visualisation had been strengthened.'

Interesting, I'm trying to get the results of the breast cancer study but I can't download PDFs here.

16:44 / 06.02.06

Interesting article here about positive belief.

Surfing around the subject found this Theory of Belief by A.Shaw-
"As a rationalist who does not believe in the supernatural, I know that the origin of all human experience, perception and interpretation, belief and behaviour etc. is to be found within the human brain. The physical basis of superstitious beliefs also emanates from, and through, human physiology as it affects the brain - mood and emotion, perception and self-perception and memory. This makes people susceptible to ‘irrational beliefs’ and is responsible for the consequent behaviours.

The systems, processes, through which it does this, are several;
The Autonomic Nervous System
The Immune system
The Endocrine (Hormone) System
Brain and body Chemistry
The Central Nervous System"

Shaw emphasises the effects of Endorphins;
One of the most important groups of hormones are the endorphins, a group of at least 20 endorphins discovered only 30 years ago. These opioids have profound and wide-ranging effect on the human body. They have so far been found to enhance the immune system, relieve pain, reduce stress, and are responsible for the ‘sports high’ and have an effect on the ageing process.

Endorphins have an effect on the ageing process? And we can stimulate their release with psychosomatic techniques and 'alternative' therapies? Have a lot of sex, live longer? Hmmm...

I found this Transpersonal Psychology paper on Can Our Intentions Interact Directly With The Physical World? which is fascinating as well.