Subscribe now

Mind

Placebos may ease pain by acting on brain systems linked to emotions

Placebos may minimise pain by decreasing activity in systems of the brain that regulate emotions, a discovery that could help us to harness the placebo effect to ease discomfort

By Moheb Costandi

9 October 2023

Researchers looked at MRI scans to see where brain activity changes when people experience the placebo effect

Triff/Shutterstock

The largest ever brain scan study of the placebo effect has revealed that it seems to act on systems in the brain that process the emotional aspects of pain, which could explain why sugar pills can ease discomfort.

Expectations, suggestion and social cues can all influence the placebo effect, where a person’s symptoms lessen after taking a dummy medicine that they believe to be an effective treatment. But how this affects the sensory…

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 28th October 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account