7 ms·

I had chronic sinus headaches triggered by food. I've always found it effective.

norswap 8y ago
It is a big misconception that the placebo effect must be ineffective — there wouldn't be an effect at all if that was the case. I hear it's sometimes even effective when you're told you're taking a placebo.
- Vraxx 8y ago
  Definitely this needs to be pointed out more. My wife used to get upset if I suggested something might be a placebo because she thought I was telling her that she was fabricating the observed effects on her. I think the placebo effect still working even if the person is told it is a placebo is a factor of whether or not you consider placebo to be "bad" or "ineffective". To me it just suggests a difference in the actual mechanism of how the placebo is effective. I'm curious to know if there are ways to increase the effectiveness of placebo by having a strong/pleasant smell or taste associated with it or some other sensory effect that is immediately noticeable.
- TACIXAT 8y ago
  If it were placebo I should have been perfectly happy taking acetominophen or ibuprofen for my sinus headaches (back when I didn't realize they were sinus headaches). Sudafed PE causes my nose to drain and sinus headaches to go away, I wish I knew about it sooner.
- losvedir 8y ago
  I've always found it fascinating that naloxone (the drug administered to people who OD on heroin, since it counters the effects) actually does make the placebo effect go away (that is, placebos become ineffective). Makes me think that the placebo effect is very real and something like a self-induced opiate.
  - copperx 8y ago
    I've always wondered why placebo works for minor problems (a cold, nasal congestion, mild pain) but it does not for real diseases. For example, you never see chemotherapy treatments compared to placebo (because it is unethical to conduct such a study), but it could be done with "wait and monitor" cancers such as slow-growing prostate cancer.
testvox 8y ago
The placebo effect is particularly effective for simple pain like headaches (also anxiety, and nausea).
- janitor61 8y ago
  Manufacturers should start selling bottles of pills that contain a percentage of identical placebo pills at a discount - Perhaps you switch to Tylenol 50%, then Tylenol 25%, then end up at Tylenol Homeopathy version?
- WrtCdEvrydy 8y ago
  Psychology actually says this is because you're telling your brain that this simple pain should be handled by the meds you're taking so your brain considers that to be an error.
- TACIXAT 8y ago
  The sinus headaches are a physical reaction though. It's from constriction of the sinuses. When you take these it relaxes and the snot in your nose drains. I had sinus headaches for 23 years (not realizing they were sinus headaches), took all sorts of headache pills, they were ineffective. These are effective for me, I do not think it is placebo.

It is a big misconception that the placebo effect must be ineffective — there wouldn't be an effect at all if that was the case. I hear it's sometimes even effective when you're told you're taking a placebo.

Vraxx 8y ago
Definitely this needs to be pointed out more. My wife used to get upset if I suggested something might be a placebo because she thought I was telling her that she was fabricating the observed effects on her. I think the placebo effect still working even if the person is told it is a placebo is a factor of whether or not you consider placebo to be "bad" or "ineffective". To me it just suggests a difference in the actual mechanism of how the placebo is effective. I'm curious to know if there are ways to increase the effectiveness of placebo by having a strong/pleasant smell or taste associated with it or some other sensory effect that is immediately noticeable.
TACIXAT 8y ago
If it were placebo I should have been perfectly happy taking acetominophen or ibuprofen for my sinus headaches (back when I didn't realize they were sinus headaches). Sudafed PE causes my nose to drain and sinus headaches to go away, I wish I knew about it sooner.
losvedir 8y ago
I've always found it fascinating that naloxone (the drug administered to people who OD on heroin, since it counters the effects) actually does make the placebo effect go away (that is, placebos become ineffective). Makes me think that the placebo effect is very real and something like a self-induced opiate.
- copperx 8y ago
  I've always wondered why placebo works for minor problems (a cold, nasal congestion, mild pain) but it does not for real diseases. For example, you never see chemotherapy treatments compared to placebo (because it is unethical to conduct such a study), but it could be done with "wait and monitor" cancers such as slow-growing prostate cancer.

testvox 8y ago

The placebo effect is particularly effective for simple pain like headaches (also anxiety, and nausea).

janitor61 8y ago
Manufacturers should start selling bottles of pills that contain a percentage of identical placebo pills at a discount - Perhaps you switch to Tylenol 50%, then Tylenol 25%, then end up at Tylenol Homeopathy version?
WrtCdEvrydy 8y ago
Psychology actually says this is because you're telling your brain that this simple pain should be handled by the meds you're taking so your brain considers that to be an error.
TACIXAT 8y ago
The sinus headaches are a physical reaction though. It's from constriction of the sinuses. When you take these it relaxes and the snot in your nose drains. I had sinus headaches for 23 years (not realizing they were sinus headaches), took all sorts of headache pills, they were ineffective. These are effective for me, I do not think it is placebo.