Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

placebo effect

noun

/pləˈsiː.boʊ ɪˈfɛkt/

Definition

The placebo effect is a phenomenon where a person experiences a perceived improvement in their condition simply because they believe they are receiving treatment, even if the treatment is inactive or fake.

Examples

Patients often reported feeling better after taking sugar pills, demonstrating the power of the placebo effect.
The study highlighted how the placebo effect can significantly alter a patient’s perception of pain.
Even when no real treatment was given, many participants showed improvement due to the placebo effect.

Meaning

The placebo effect occurs when the mind influences the body’s healing process, often leading to improvement in symptoms due to expectations rather than any active medical intervention.