The placebo effect is defined as the benefic effect that derives from the administration of a pharmacologically neutral substance. Until now, placebo was considered as a substance given instead of an active one, without informing the user about the substitution/mystification.

If its mechanism of action on the brain isn’t perfectly understood yet, its therapeutic effect has been objectively evaluated for centuries. Its action even becomes viewable thanks to new technologies of functional imaging.

The placebo effect has thus been used from time immemorial to reduce many woes. Every sentient being seems sensitive to it. The list of treatable symptoms is probably endless. Pain, stress, fatigue, insomnia, or physical performance, the use of placebo allows to ease discomfort or to improve some functions, without exposing the body to side effects, adverse effects, of a pharmacologically active drug (definition of a medication).

One deontological break to the use of placebo was its unavoidable resort, until recently, to a lie, for therapeutic benefit. Hiding from someone that they were using a placebo caused two big problems:

• If the user found out that they were duped, they could feel betrayed, abused, or humiliated…
• When the caregiver dispensing the placebo observed an improvement, they could question, wrongly so, the authenticity of the user’s complaints.

Yet placebo does hold an objectifiable effect, and its benefit absolutely doesn’t question the reality of the complaints it reduced.

The solution is given to us by a recent study proving that a placebo can be benefic for the person using it… Even if they’re aware of its nature! Claimed, asserted, assumed placebo is born…
(Ref. Journal of evidence based medicine 2017 Effects of placebos without deception compared with no treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis James E.G. Charlesworth, Grace Petkovic, John M. Kelley, Monika Hunter, Igho Onakpoya, Nia Roberts, Franklin G. Miller, Jeremy Howick)

This discovery is particularly revolutionary : it is no longer needed to abuse the user for them to benefit from placebo effect. It’s now possible to use it for benign affections, without being involved in manipulations, or disinformation about the mysterious substances called “therapeutic,” claimed harmless, and yet supposed to be effective.

For optimal functioning, the placebo must be administrated following specific rules. Strictly respecting them allows maximum efficacy. The rituals are of great importance. Using placebo also allows to apply some principles of a healthy lifestyle, simple and well known as benefic. Its place in the therapeutic arsenal is undeniable and now free of deontological obstacle.

• How many times did you say: “it may be a placebo but it works for me!” or “at least it doesn’t harm”,
• Faced with a parent’s powerlessness in dealing with little boo-boos, how could we deny that experience shows “for children, the effect is immediate…”

So, it is time to start using freely a placebo that claims to be one! No need to be abused or full pseudo-sciences to benefit from it anymore.

You were ready to do anything to get rid of a discomfort, a benign but annoying feeling… Are you ready to take no risk by giving its chance to the placebo effect and the powers your mind objectively gather?