[matkam]

Don't placebos sometimes result in real physical benefits?

[benbreen]

Interesting two part article by a Harvard Med School professor on whether psychiatric meds rely on an "activated placebo effect" (i.e. a placebo with side effects). Some would argue this isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as they are perceived to be efficacious by those taking them.

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/jun/23/epidemi...

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/jul/14/illusio...

[kazinator]

Yes. For instance, the person with $300 speaker cables feels good about how they sound and that puts them into a good mood. This is a physical benefit.

[skinnybatch]

I'd argue this is a psychological benefit...

[MarkPNeyer]

If your mind calms down, your heart rate drops, your cortisol goes down, and your muscles become less tense. Those are all physical benefits.