Here's the article and poll in the BMJ: http://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h3735
( Thoughts )

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/777749_3Read more... )

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(noun) placebo = an innocuous or inert medication; given as a pacifier or to the control group in experiments on the efficacy of a drug

http://www.wired.com/medtech/drugs/magazine/17-09/ff_placebo_effect?currentPage=allRead more... )

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The Citizen's Commission on Human Rights, on Psychiatry: http://www.cchr.orgRead more... )

There's been a round of interesting research, published in Science magazine, about how people crave order when they are under stress, and that craving leads to all manner of interesting choices including adherence to conspiracy theories and superstition. There was a huge increase in the popularity of astrology during the Great Depression. What is ( Read more... )

This study indicates that use of placebos is widespread and that it is not considered to be unethical.
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