The "set and setting" hypothesis is strongly supported by the fact that in the studies I linked fake acupuncture outperformed a fake pain pill for the treatment

The "set and setting" hypothesis is strongly supported by the fact that in the studies I linked fake acupuncture outperformed a fake pain pill for the treatment of pain. My current hypothesis on homeopathy is that it's a placebo surrounded by some interesting mythology and a good story that serves to enhance its placebo effect by priming the subject. THAT is what really needs to be studied. If this could be understood, we could have a genuine complimentary medicine rooted in science that addressed the mind side of the equation coincidentally with conventional medicine addressing the body. I was ecstatic to learn about that Harvard Medical School program, which is looking at just those kinds of hypotheses. The other thing though -- and this is the hard thing for skeptics -- is that if this is true, it means these things may not be 100% quackery and fraud. There is something happening here, just not what the practitioners think is happening. It's in the patient's head, but also "real" in the sense that front-loaded placebo outperforms a null treatment.