Can we simulate the medical effect of pills by just by imagining taking a pill? A fascinating new study published in Nature (Buergler et al., 2023) provides answers and could finally help us harness the placebo effect…

__________________

Studies (small sample only):

Buergler, S., Sezer, D., Bagge, N., Kirsch, I., Locher, C., Carvalho, C., & Gaab, J. (2023). Imaginary pills and open-label placebos can reduce test anxiety by means of placebo mechanisms. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 2624.

de Shazer, S. (1984). The imaginary pill technique. Journal of Strategic and Systemic Therapies, 3(1), 30-34.

Hahn, A., Göhler, A. C., Hermann, C., & Winkler, A. (2022). Even when you know it is a placebo, you experience less sadness: First evidence from an experimental open-label placebo investigation. Journal of Affective Disorders, 304, 159-166.

Kaptchuk, T. J., & Miller, F. G. (2018). Open label placebo: can honestly prescribed placebos evoke meaningful therapeutic benefits?. Bmj, 363.

Klopfer, B. (1957). Psychological variables in human cancer. Journal of Projective Techniques, 21(4), 331-340.

Lembo, A., Kelley, J. M., Nee, J., Ballou, S., Iturrino, J., Cheng, V., … & Kaptchuk, T. J. (2021). Open-label placebo vs double-blind placebo for irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. Pain, 162(9), 2428-2435.

Leibowitz, K. A., Hardebeck, E. J., Goyer, J. P., & Crum, A. J. (2019). The role of patient beliefs in open-label placebo effects. Health Psychology, 38(7), 613.

Moseley, J. B., O’malley, K., Petersen, N. J., Menke, T. J., Brody, B. A., Kuykendall, D. H., … & Wray, N. P. (2002). A controlled trial of arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. New England Journal of Medicine, 347(2), 81-88.

Schaefer, M., Denke, C., Harke, R., Olk, N., Erkovan, M., & Enge, S. (2019). Open-label placebos reduce test anxiety and improve self-management skills: a randomized-controlled trial. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-6.

Schaefer, M., Sahin, T., & Berstecher, B. (2018). Why do open-label placebos work? A randomized controlled trial of an open-label placebo induction with and without extended information about the placebo effect in allergic rhinitis. PloS one, 13(3), e0192758.

von Wernsdorff, M., Loef, M., Tuschen-Caffier, B., & Schmidt, S. (2021). Effects of open-label placebos in clinical trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific reports, 11(1), 1-14.