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   The Placebo Effect

   By Logan Wright
   In drug testing, a control group is necessary so that the results in
   the experimental group can be compared against something. Both groups
   are ideally identical aside from the experimental variable. The
   experimental group receives the drug, whereas the control group
   receives a placebo.
   The placebo is a pill or medication that appears to be the drug, but
   does not actually contain any active ingredients and thus has no effect
   on the user. Thus, both groups believe they are taking the drug and
   both groups expect to experience the effects.
   The trouble is, the placebo groups frequently do experience the drug's
   effects, sometimes as much as those taking the active drug! This
   baffling phenomenon, known as the placebo effect, is not limited to
   drug trials, however. Most people experience the placebo effect in
   various ways everyday.
   How our own psychological outlook can affect health is still mostly
   unknown, but you can be sure there are some great brains beavering over
   it right at this very moment.
   More information: Placebo effect: harnessing your mind's power to heal
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