Most scientific studies feature an experimental group and a control group. If we wanted to answer the question, “Does adding water help plants grow?” we could set up an experiment. We would have multiples pots of plants in the same greenhouse and in the same type of soil. The only difference would be to add water to some plants (experimental group) and leave other plants dry (control group). We would then observe the growth of the plants, and the results will answer our question. If the plants with water grew more than the plants without water, then we can conclude water helps plants grow.

This basic experimental design can be extended to clinical studies. If we wanted to test whether a drug is effective, we could design an experiment where we gave the drug to some people (experimental group) but not others (controls). We could determine whether the drug works by comparing the experimental group to the control group.

However, it has been shown that giving people treatment will improve their condition regardless of whether the drug works. This is known as the placebo effect, and it highlights how powerful our brains truly are. If you felt sick, you could be prescribed a completely bogus pill, and you would probably feel better. It is not just your perception that the placebo works on. The placebo effect can have objective physiological effects such as change in heart rate and blood pressure.

For this reason, the control group in clinical studies always receives a fake treatment. Without the fake treatment, any improvement in the experimental group could be due to the drug’s actual effectiveness or the placebo effect. The placebo effect can even enhance the effectiveness of certain medical treatments. Patients who know about the intended outcome of therapy respond better to it than patients who do not know about therapy.

The placebo effect may also explain why some people swear by some strange home remedies. Even if they have no medical basis, the placebo effect does allow them to have some efficacy. It is important to note here that serious medical conditions are not treatable with the placebo effect.

The placebo effect also occurs outside of medicine. Sports teams utilize it with their superstitious practices. Anyone who carries a charm for good luck is using the placebo effect. If you have something that you think brings you luck, you are correct, except the luck really comes from your amazing brain.