Inert placebo?

Regarding "Getting the Red Out" (SN: 1/19/08, p. 85): While drug companies wish to market their products, my attention is drawn to the fact that I in 8 of the control group of psoriasis patients was cured by placebo effect. Who will investigate the process therein? Is there a market for it?

CARSON BARNES, LOMA MAR, CALIF.

A potent placebo effect, even of 12 percent, isn't unheard of in medical studies. To find out more about the placebo effect and efforts to capitalize on it, see "Medicinal Mimicry: Sometimes, placebos work--but how?" (SN: 2/3/01, p. 74,) and "Intrinsic Remedies for Pain: Placebo effect may take various paths in brain" (SN: 1/21/06, p. 37).--NATHAN SEPPA

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