Case report

PLACEBO AND NOCEBO EFFECT: A MINI-REVIEW

Ivan Požgain ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Zrinka Požgain ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Dunja Degmečić ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

It is well-known that placebo is a substance without medical effects, which benefits the health status because of the patient's
belief that the substance is effective and that the nocebo is defined as a substance without medical effects but which worsenes the
health status of the person taking it by the negative beliefs and expectations of the patient. Starting with the history of the placebo
effect and giving a review of the most significant studies reporting about the placebo effect from 1939-2013 it was our intention to
give the all-around look on this phenomena discussing the neurobiological and other theories of its origin and concentrating
especially on the field of psychiatry and finally coming to conclusions regarding the conductance of clinical trials and ethics.
Regarding psychiatry, the placebo effect has a substantial role in most of psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety,
addictions, and contrary to what may have been expected, schizophrenia. Likewise, the nocebo effect is not to be neglected as the
studies are being conducted to identify the factors causing it so it could be prevented.

Keywords

placebo effect - nocebo effect – schizophrenia - history of medicine

Hrčak ID:

162053

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/162053

Publication date:

17.6.2014.

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