The Placebo is God

Following hot on the heels of that august organ of journalism, the Daily Mail, today’s Guardian also jumps on the bandwagon of the latest "let’s all misinterpret the science" story. Yes, it’s the "Religious belief can help relieve pain, say researchers". Well, well, what a surprise: it’s the placebo effect of course. Yet another pronouncement from the department of the bleeding obvious, I would have thought.

 

People tend to underestimate the power of the placebo. As a cure for this debilitating condition, I recommend a simple remedy. Merely purchase a copy of Ben Goldacre’s Bad Science and read chapter 5: The Placebo Effect. Instant relief and the realisation that "We are human, we are irrational, we have foibles, and the power of the mind over the body is greater than anything you have previously imagined".