"Australians are turning in droves to alternative therapies - there has been a 51 per cent increase in the number of people visiting complementary health professionals in the 10 years to 2005." (Sydney Morning Herald)
You would think that our rising education (coupled with unbelievable advertainment) would be creating a nation of skeptics.
Evidently not.
But what about the placebo effect? Surely it's better to take a drop of salt water (homeopathic remedy) that can do NO harm, as opposed to a drug that COULD harm?
Firstly, we are not just taking a substance willy nilly. We are trying to correct a problem or improve a state. (and research has show the inconsistencies between gain vs loss decision making)
Secondly, placebo effects are not confined to alternative medicine alone. They're everywhere.
Finally, surely it's better to keep our cash, (optional: do a free voo doo dance to activate the placebo effect if we must...) and only consider scientifically proven prescription drugs if we really really think the placebo is not delivering the results?
But, I hear you say, implicit in the definition of "placebo" is the BELIEF that it will work. So we would somehow need to fool ourselves that our voo doo dance will work.
Yes. I see your point.
And somehow, paying to fool ourselves makes it easier?
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