If you think about it, the fact that there is any placebo effect at all is a miracle. Or, I should say, seems like a miracle, although it is just a function of the natural world, left un-messed-with by tinkering nihilists. Notice the phrase “could be used to create various new treatments” for some diseases. New treatments? Why not thoroughly investigate the two most highly developed medical systems in the world: Chinese herbal medicine, and Indian Ayurveda, both of which include meditation and breath work. Both these traditions, I feel, should be included underneath the category of Yoga, since it is Yoga that seeks to ever refine our appreciation of the divine in every cell of our bodies.
The scientists say that the brain releases endogenous opioids when dealing with pain, and that it releases them in equally large quantities in the case of the actual painkiller and the placebo treatment. These opioids work like opiates, and temper the activity inflicted in the spine cord by the application of a painful stimulus. Eippert says that the knowledge could be used to create various new treatments for chronic pain and other conditions that would take advantage of the power of belief.
via Placebo Effect Proven in the Spine – Pain disappeared in study volunteers – Softpedia.
