Product Description

The placebo sometimes produces "real" results. This book argues that the placebo effect is a real entity in its own right, and has much to tell us about how symbols, settings, and human relationships literally get under our skin.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #288071 in Books
• Published on: 1999-03-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Customer Reviews

A fascinating book - medics get to grips with placebos
Written almost entirely by medical professionals, this is one of the first books to address the real effects of placebos. Contrary to popular conception, placebos are not ineffective treatments for the weak of mind. They are effective treatments which benefit many kinds of people as well as animals. They actually work - that is, they have measurable medical effects on a whole range of medical conditions. But medicine doesn't know how they work. It seems belief can directly affect phisiology and biology. This fascinating book surveys the history and practice of the placebo and sets the scene for further research.