General Discussion

longship

(40,416 posts)

20. Placebos are the null effect, by definition!

Mon May 2, 2016, 12:08 PM

May 2016

There are no placebo effects beyond non-specific symptoms. Placebos do not, and cannot, cure disease. Any argument to the contrary is abject rubbish.

So take your placebo medicine when you are dying. It may help your perception of pain, but it will not stop the progress of your disease.

That's why there is always a placebo arm in drug trials. One wants to factor out those factors which have no contribution to a cure.

So stop ringing that cockamamie placebo bell. Placebos do not work against any disease.

Here: https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-placebo-effect/

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And people wonder why I have deep concerns about MDs & their drugs [View all] AxionExcel May 2016 OP

People who provide "nontoxic health alternatives" are angels? Brickbat May 2016 #1

If you say so... AxionExcel May 2016 #4

I dunno, but it sounds like your OP comment is about promoting woo. Android3.14 May 2016 #5

'Rigorously tested' by whom? The FDA? forest444 May 2016 #34

I don't know about the OP, but dismissing the FDA is nonsense Android3.14 May 2016 #50

They were indeed great once. But that's just resting on laurels. forest444 May 2016 #53

I don't think criticism of A implies acceptance of B. LanternWaste May 2016 #7

+ 1 AxionExcel May 2016 #13

But it is reasonable to infer such based on past post history. Humanist_Activist May 2016 #59

Except that the OP has a history of support for B. HuckleB May 2016 #61

This message was self-deleted by its author rjsquirrel May 2016 #2

I've not expressed any support for alternative therapies AxionExcel May 2016 #6

it does, everytime they post Viva_La_Revolution May 2016 #11

I have seen this pattern PatSeg May 2016 #29

Riiight. Except when you have promoted it in your special passive-aggressive way progressoid May 2016 #30

here's the link MisterP May 2016 #3

Oh dear! longship May 2016 #8

Well said. Except placebo effect ain't nothing. TheDormouse May 2016 #14

Placebos are the null effect, by definition! longship May 2016 #20

Sorry, but you're wrong--placebo effects ARE stronger than doing nothing TheDormouse May 2016 #22

Wow you sure are on a rip and tear aren't you? A Simple Game May 2016 #33

You know people? longship May 2016 #40

I agree with you about homeopathy, but maybe you could try it to cure your fixation about it. A Simple Game May 2016 #44

Science informs medicine. longship May 2016 #46

Chiropractic? longship May 2016 #47

Placebos only work on people who believe it's real. AtheistCrusader May 2016 #27

If they know it does nothing, it's not a placebo TheDormouse May 2016 #39

We're all friends here, let's not get angry over semantics. AtheistCrusader May 2016 #48

The same can be said for witchdoctors and voodoo practitioners Major Nikon May 2016 #64

It has been my experience PatSeg May 2016 #19

Which treatments are worse than the disease? longship May 2016 #21

Sorry PatSeg May 2016 #23

Oh deary dear! longship May 2016 #24

Willfully Provocative ProfessorGAC May 2016 #9

Wow. That's exactly what I think about the regularly scheduled attacks on non-toxic health care AxionExcel May 2016 #12

Yeah, I don't wonder that at all. (n/t) Iggo May 2016 #10

I must be living under a rock TheDormouse May 2016 #15

The OP thinks DUers should be ok with alt med scams. HuckleB May 2016 #16

Woo woo. So now you are claiming to have psychic powers? AxionExcel May 2016 #31

You bet it's taboo. trotsky May 2016 #36

Psychic secrets revealed Major Nikon May 2016 #41

LOL! You think people haven't read your posts? HuckleB May 2016 #42

"Trick or Treatment" by Edzard Ernst & Simon Singh TheDormouse May 2016 #17

Oklahoma Dentist Exposed 7,000 Patients To HIV & Hepatitis By Using Dirty Instruments jtuck004 May 2016 #18

Doesn't change the fact that dentistry is real and it works. Iggo May 2016 #25

No dude, don't you get it? trotsky May 2016 #37

Your point is very good in general. Most deniers got that one down... jtuck004 May 2016 #45

Where can I find this schedule for attacking alternative bullshit? AtheistCrusader May 2016 #26

Forest for the trees folks, forest for the trees... Moostache May 2016 #28

Every service industry has issues such as these tkmorris May 2016 #32

Proof homeoquackery works! Major Nikon May 2016 #35

Our barbaric medical profession here in the Us is in a sad state. Madmiddle May 2016 #38

Yep. You go and diet and exercise that COLGATE4 May 2016 #51

What doctor doesn't recommend diet and exercise? Seriously, who the fuck are you seeing? Humanist_Activist May 2016 #55

Exactly. HuckleB May 2016 #56

Is it appropriate for me to give myself kudos? Humanist_Activist May 2016 #57

Drat! HuckleB May 2016 #58

I am aware that doctors make mistakes TexasBushwhacker May 2016 #43

And the 'ability to pay' issues can be addressed without damaging that inherent goodness AtheistCrusader May 2016 #49

LOL, those evil doctors just saved my leg from a staph infection. Odin2005 May 2016 #52

But water that "remembers" how to cure staph is just as good. Iggo May 2016 #54

Bravo. I applaud the doctors, and congratulate you on your recovery! AxionExcel May 2016 #60

Just because there's problems with the business of real medicine... Iggo May 2016 #62

You mean you are pushing homeoquackery again Major Nikon May 2016 #63

The dog pile and woo flinging is getting worse than ever around here. arikara May 2016 #65

. Iggo May 2016 #67

anticipate i will use prescription drugs over quackery dembotoz May 2016 #66

Maple syrup is non toxic ... GeorgeGist May 2016 #68