A study led by Kaptchuk and published in Science Translational Medicine explored this by testing how people reacted to migraine pain medication. One group took a migraine drug labeled with the drug's name, another took a placebo labeled "placebo," and a third group took nothing. The researchers discovered that the placebo was 50% as effective as the real drug to reduce pain after a migraine attack.

The researchers speculated that a driving force beyond this reaction was the simple act of taking a pill. "People associate the ritual of taking medicine as a positive healing effect," says Kaptchuk. "Even if they know it's not medicine, the action itself can stimulate the brain into thinking the body is being healed."

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org -2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

But pain is a different context to sociology

[–] MolochAlter@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, pain is more tangible and actually experienced, whereas what society actually looks like is 99% vibes and personal biases.

So this applies even more to sociology than to painkillers.

[–] Aatube@kbin.melroy.org -1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Take how many people think they can't be racist. Pain is also a psychological effect.

[–] MolochAlter@lemmy.world 0 points 7 months ago

What the fuck are you talking about? These two things aren't even remotely alike.