Are placebo treatments ethical?
The power of placebos to heal the human mind and body has been known for centuries. Thomas Jefferson recognized it. Benjamin Franklin wrote about it. Much research and thousands of clinical studies prove its effectiveness in the medicinal world. However, one question has remained debated, and doctors even today struggle with hiding the placebo prescription behind the guise of a drug with active ingredients.
Many of the physicians are of a view that any process that entails deception and deceit is unethical, even if the treatment is effective. They worry that any treatment that begins with lies to entice the human mind with false beliefs or perceptions could contribute to a false recovery or illusion of feeling better.
Are placebo treatments ethical?
Should a treatment such as a placebo, be prescribed to a patient without a patient’s consent? Does a hidden placebo take away the right of the patient to KNOW what he is being prescribed?
Placebos draw in the power of your brain to help the body in the healing process. The brain is given a stimulus, a hope, or an expectation, that triggers the healing process by sending signals to the body.
Power of Placebos
Our brain is home to trillions of nerve endings, sending signals across the body using as many as 200 different neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are the source of pain sensations, pleasure, fear and even satisfaction. In the practice of modern medicine based entirely upon science, it would be foolish to not take advantage of such a natural healing process that is created and led by the patient himself and involves no expensive treatments. Placebos can be perhaps the safest and most efficient therapies available.
The American Medical Association's Code of Ethics states that an undisclosed placebo is unethical, but this policy many prevents doctors from prescribing it and patients from taking benefits from it. It forbids doctors to prescribe placebo treatments unless the patient is aware and agrees to take it. This policy however has not undermined the true value of placebos in healing, because recent science has shown placebos can be effective even when a patient knows they are taking a placebo.
Since the placebo effect is largely based on the perception of the patient that what he is taking in is going to help him heal his body, A patient should be informed he is being given inert substance, without having a negative impact on its effectiveness. But he must also be informed that the placebo treatment can work for many people, even if they know they are receiving a placebo.
The Verdict
A placebo can provide a great benefit to physicians and patients in many clinical situations. It has the capability to help patients feel better. Therefore, placebos should not be denied their rightful place in medical treatments. More studies and new guidelines can help policymakers to put placebos into practice and accept its legitimate place in medicine. In my opinion, placebos are just as ethical as any treatment. The aim is to benefit the patient and seek relief. How can such treatments be termed unethical? Saving human suffering is the aim and placebos can make that possible.
Why shy away from the body's self-healing ability? The best we can do is embrace this concept and hold on to it as the first treatment we try when we feel discomfort.