The placebo effect is a fascinating phenomenon where a person experiences real changes in their health after receiving a treatment that has no therapeutic value. This effect is particularly notable in pain management.
When a person believes they are receiving a pain-relieving treatment, their brain can release natural painkillers called endorphins. These chemicals interact with the brain’s pain pathways, reducing the perception of pain. This process is known as placebo analgesia.
Research has shown that the placebo effect can be as effective as actual pain medications in some cases. For instance, studies have found that patients receiving a placebo can experience pain relief comparable to those taking low doses of morphine. This effect is not just about positive thinking; it involves complex neurobiological reactions, including increased activity in brain regions associated with mood and self-awareness….
When it comes to cannabis, the problem is that we need to create the placebo effect whilst disconnecting the patient from the substance that may have many other negative side-effects beyond the pain issue, which cannabis most certainly has.
