Extra strength non- deceptive placebo

Hypnosis has often been referred to as the placebo effect. Horizon programme featured hypnosis as the placebo effect, and demonstrated tooth extraction without any drugs.

Hypnosis is the ultimate placebo as the client is aware of what changes need to happen. Medical intervention using placebos rely on deceiving the patient, which is fine if it works. The reason is does work is that the Dopamines in our brain are activated and produce our own bodies natural pain relievers.

One thing the Horizon programme revealed is that the placebo works better if the GP or consultant is kindly towards the patient, and gives time to them. What a great world it would be if the NHS took this on board, and taught it to doctors and nurses. How to actually talk to a patient, say the right words, which could take less than a minute.

How would you prefer to be spoken to?

‘ Here are the drugs you need to take’

‘ I would like you to take this medication. I am sure it is going to be of great benefit to you, and that you will get better really quickly’