If the placebo effect works by tricking the brain, why does it need to be tricked if it’s apparently able to solve the issue on its own?

Question

If the placebo effect works by tricking the brain, why does it need to be tricked if it’s apparently able to solve the issue on its own?

In: 6662

Answer 1

Humans are social creatures. Pain, crying, calling for help, we do these things when we need assistance.

When our brain is convinced we received that assistance, the pain has served part of it’s purpose, so it dials it down.

It doesn’t matter if that perceived assistance comes from the attention of a parent, a doctor, actual medicine, or “fake” medicine. We received help, that’s what counts.