NEWSCASTER0:

When I was young my mom used to say, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away", but does it? A lot of research has been carried out concerning how our minds can influence the state of our health and how our beliefs about healing can mend an ailing body. Take, for example, the Placebo Effect. Placebos were first used as part of experimental drug trials in 1863 when Austin Flint directly compared the efficiency of a real treatment with that of a fake one. He was interested in finding out if his chosen treatment was any more effective than what nature and time could do on their own.

When I was young my mom used to say, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away", but does it? A lot of research has been carried out concerning how our minds can influence the state of our health and how our beliefs about healing can mend an ailing body. Take, for example, the Placebo Effect. Placebos were first used as part of experimental drug trials in 1863 when Austin Flint directly compared the efficiency of a real treatment with that of a fake one. He was interested in finding out if his chosen treatment was any more effective than what nature and time could do on their own.
NEWSCASTER1:

In Flint's research paper he refers to this 'fake'' treatment as a 'Placebo'. Subsequent placebo controlled medical studies have confirmed Flint's findings. Time and time again, patients who have been given Placebos, frequently show improvements, despite having been given a fake treatment designed to have no effect. In the twenty first century, 'Placebos'' have come to be used as medical treatments in their own right. Many doctors now prescribe placebos because they feel that the patient's desire for relief from pain and the expectation of relief increases the effect of a placebo.

In Flint's research paper he refers to this 'fake' treatment as a 'Placebo'. Subsequent placebo controlled medical studies have confirmed Flint's findings. Time and time again, patients who have been given Placebos, frequently show improvements, despite having been given a fake treatment designed to have no effect. In the twenty first century, 'Placebos' have come to be used as medical treatments in their own right. Many doctors now prescribe placebos because they feel that the patient's desire for relief from pain and the expectation of relief increases the effect of a placebo.
NEWSCASTER2:

This can be a very useful treatment, especially in cases where the recommended drugs cannot be used. For example, burn patients who experience respiratory problems often cannot be given opioids like morphine or opioid derivatives like pethidine, as they can cause respiratory problems. In these cases placebo injections like normal saline can provide real pain relief to burn patients if they are told they are being given painkillers. However, placebos aren't always effective. People with Alzheimer's disease are less influenced by them.

This can be a very useful treatment, especially in cases where the recommended drugs cannot be used. For example, burn patients who experience respiratory problems often cannot be given opioids like morphine or opioid derivatives like pethidine, as they can cause respiratory problems. In these cases placebo injections like normal saline can provide real pain relief to burn patients if they are told they are being given painkillers. However, placebos aren't always effective. People with Alzheimer's disease are less influenced by them.
NEWSCASTER3:

This is attributed to the loss of the part of the brain which determines their capacity to have expectations. So, does an apple a day keep the doctor away? Maybe mom was right, after all.

This is attributed to the loss of the part of the brain which determines their capacity to have expectations. So, does an apple a day keep the doctor away? Maybe mom was right, after all.