Paging Emerlion!

[drwex]

Sham acupuncture works better than sham pills.

Comparing patients who got simulated acupuncture with patients who got placebo pills showed greater effects for the fake needle than for the placebo pill on self-reported pain and severity of symptoms. It's all about the elaborate rituals.

(thanks to docbug for the link)

Comments

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

It's all about the elaborate rituals.

Nah, it's all about the placebo effect. And salesmanship. ;-P

[drwex]

Did you read the report? It's comparing two placebo effects. One conclusion is that the elaborateness of the ritual invokes a stronger effect.

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Salesmanship.

Really, that's what it comes down to.

[emerlion.livejournal.com]

Yep. I'm great at sales to infants and babies.