The Placebo Effect And Quackwatch(S. Barrett)

[Guest guest]

rpautrey2

M.D.'s

Excerpts

Spontaneous Remission and the Placebo Effect

Stephen Barrett, M.D.

Quackwatch

 

The Placebo Effect

 

 

The power of suggestion has been demonstrated by many investigators

in a variety of settings. In a classroom, for example, a professor

sprayed plain water about the room and asked the students to raise

their hands as soon as they detected an odor. Seventy-three percent

managed to smell a nonexistent odor.

 

 

In medicine the effect of suggestion is referred to as the " placebo

effect. " The Latin word placebo means " I shall please. " A placebo

effect is a beneficial response to a substance, device, or procedure

that cannot be accounted for on the basis of pharmacologic or other

direct physical action. Feeling better when the physician walks into

the room is a common example.

 

 

A placebo may be used in medicine to satisfy a patient that something

is being done. By lessening anxiety, placebo action may alleviate

symptoms caused by the body's reaction to tension (psychosomatic

symptoms).

 

 

Many studies suggest that placebos can relieve a broad range of

symptoms. In many disorders, one third or more of patients will get

relief from a placebo. Temporary relief has been demonstrated, for

example, in arthritis, hay fever, headache, cough, high blood

pressure, premenstrual tension, peptic ulcer, and even cancer. The

psychologic aspects of many disorders also work to the healer's

advantage.

 

 

A sympathetic ear or reassurance that no serious disease is involved

may prove therapeutic by itself. Psychologist Barry Beyerstein,

Ph.D.,has observed:

 

Pain is partly a sensation . . . and partly an emotion. . . .

Anything

that can allay anxiety, redirect attention, reduce arousal, foster a

sense of control, or lead to . . . reinterpretation of symptoms can

alleviate the agony component of pain. Modern pain clinics put these

strategies to use every day.

 

 

Confidence in the treatment -- on the part of the patient and the

practitioner -- makes it more likely that a placebo effect will

occur.

 

 

Another factor that can mislead people is selective affirmation -- a

tendency to look for positive responses when improvement is

expected.

 

 

Operant conditioning can occur . . . when behavior is rewarded. . . .

Thus, people with a history of favorable responses to treatment are

more apt to react well to the act of treatment [3].

 

 

The placebo effect is not limited to drugs but may also result from

procedures [6].

 

 

Placebos appeared to produce modest benefit in studies of pain and in

other studies where the outcome being measured was similarly

subjective.

 

 

Some of the reported benefit may be the result of placebos may be the

result of patients wishing to please their doctors.

 

 

Quackwatch Home Page

This article was posted on December 18, 2001.

[Guest guest]

Quackpot Watch

http://www.quackpotwatch.org/

 

 

" THE LAST DAYS OF THE QUACKBUSTERS " ...

 

Opinion by Consumer Advocate Tim Bolen (jurimed2)

 

I've been following the activities of the " Quackbusters " for about five

years, ever since the name Stephen Barrett (quackwatch.com) came up, as a

player, against a client of mine in California. I asked the question " why

would this group be using a doctor from Pennsylvania, as their witness, when

there are 300,000 health professionals in this State? "

 

Thus began my education. Now I'm going to educate YOU...

 

The " quackbuster " operation is a conspiracy. It is a propaganda enterprise,

one part crackpot, two parts evil. It's sole purpose is to discredit, and

suppress, in an " anything goes " attack mode, what is wrongfully named

" Alternative Medicine. " It has declared war on reality. The conspirators

are acting in the interests of, and are being paid, directly and indirectly,

by the " conventional " medical-industrial complex.

 

Millions of health freedom fighters, and members of the public, worldwide,

know what I know. Public outrage and reaction is growing. After 25 years

of unopposed success, the " Quackbusters " are now in real trouble... " The

end " for them, has begun. They, themselves are being hunted.

 

The " Quackbuster Conspiracy " is in a desperate place now. They know they've

lost the war, and are going to pay a terrible price for their actions. The

fear is in their eyes...

 

Re: The Placebo Effect And Quackwatch(S. Barrett)

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your response. I am very aware of the disinformation

Quackbusters is disseminating. My post contained excerpts from the

Barrett article on the placebo effect and it was addressed to MD's.

The placebo effect is the primary effect of allopathic drugs.

 

Paul

 

, " clare mcconville -

harris " <mc wrote:

>

> Quackpot Watch

> http://www.quackpotwatch.org/

>

>

> " THE LAST DAYS OF THE QUACKBUSTERS " ...

>

> Opinion by Consumer Advocate Tim Bolen (jurimed2)

>

> I've been following the activities of the " Quackbusters " for about

five

> years, ever since the name Stephen Barrett (quackwatch.com) came

up, as a

> player, against a client of mine in California. I asked the

question " why

> would this group be using a doctor from Pennsylvania, as their

witness, when

> there are 300,000 health professionals in this State? "

>

> Thus began my education. Now I'm going to educate YOU...

>

> The " quackbuster " operation is a conspiracy. It is a propaganda

enterprise,

> one part crackpot, two parts evil. It's sole purpose is to

discredit, and

> suppress, in an " anything goes " attack mode, what is wrongfully

named

> " Alternative Medicine. " It has declared war on reality. The

conspirators

> are acting in the interests of, and are being paid, directly and

indirectly,

> by the " conventional " medical-industrial complex.

>

> Millions of health freedom fighters, and members of the public,

worldwide,

> know what I know. Public outrage and reaction is growing. After

25 years

> of unopposed success, the " Quackbusters " are now in real

trouble... " The

> end " for them, has begun. They, themselves are being hunted.

>

> The " Quackbuster Conspiracy " is in a desperate place now. They

know they've

> lost the war, and are going to pay a terrible price for their

actions. The

> fear is in their eyes...

>

> Re: The Placebo Effect And Quackwatch(S. Barrett)

>

[Guest guest]

Since you mention Tim Bollen as being involved in discrediting Quackwatch do you know what has happened to him. His web site (the bollen report) has not been updated for nearly a year now, has he been ''got at''.

[Guest guest]

this is the latest ... only ... one I can find

http://www.bolenreport.net/

 

-

David Taylor

Thursday, January 10, 2008 7:04 PM

Re: The Placebo Effect And Quackwatch(S. Barrett)

 

Since you mention Tim Bollen as being involved in discrediting Quackwatch do you know what has happened to him. His web site (the bollen report) has not been updated for nearly a year now, has he been ''got at''.

 

Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1214 - Release 8/01/2008 1:38 PM

[Guest guest]

Yes that is the one I am referring to, why no updates since MAY 2007?

[Guest guest]

He is active in a Google alternative medicine group I belong to.

Quackwatch is also active in the same group. The group I am referring

to is a vigilante mad-house group. Several of us are doing verbal

warfare with the " Quacks " . I believe his website is still in existence

but I am not sure if he is adding new material. I will post a question

about this in the Google group and let you know what is going on.

Thanks for your inquiry.

 

Paul

 

, " David Taylor "

<davidtaylor wrote:

 

> Since you mention Tim Bollen as being involved in discrediting

Quackwatch do you know what has happened to him. His web site (the

bollen report) has not been updated for nearly a year now, has he

been ''got at''.

[Guest guest]

I called up that page and I do see reports dated January 2008... looks

like updated until 10th of January

H

At 01:39 AM 11/01/2008, you wrote:

 

Yes that is the one I am referring

to, why no updates since MAY 2007?

[Guest guest]

Correction: I meant to say " Quackwatch " instead of " Quackbusters " .

Sorry about any confusion. Paul

 

, " rpautrey2 "

<rpautrey2 wrote:

>

> Thanks for your response. I am very aware of the disinformation

> Quackbusters is disseminating. My post contained excerpts from the

> Barrett article on the placebo effect and it was addressed to MD's.

> The placebo effect is the primary effect of allopathic drugs.

>

> Paul

>

> , " clare mcconville -

> harris " <mc@> wrote:

> >

> > Quackpot Watch

> > http://www.quackpotwatch.org/

> >

> >

> > " THE LAST DAYS OF THE QUACKBUSTERS " ...

> >

> > Opinion by Consumer Advocate Tim Bolen (jurimed2@)

> >

> > I've been following the activities of the " Quackbusters " for

about

> five

> > years, ever since the name Stephen Barrett (quackwatch.com) came

> up, as a

> > player, against a client of mine in California. I asked the

> question " why

> > would this group be using a doctor from Pennsylvania, as their

> witness, when

> > there are 300,000 health professionals in this State? "

> >

> > Thus began my education. Now I'm going to educate YOU...

> >

> > The " quackbuster " operation is a conspiracy. It is a propaganda

> enterprise,

> > one part crackpot, two parts evil. It's sole purpose is to

> discredit, and

> > suppress, in an " anything goes " attack mode, what is wrongfully

> named

> > " Alternative Medicine. " It has declared war on reality. The

> conspirators

> > are acting in the interests of, and are being paid, directly and

> indirectly,

> > by the " conventional " medical-industrial complex.

> >

> > Millions of health freedom fighters, and members of the public,

> worldwide,

> > know what I know. Public outrage and reaction is growing. After

> 25 years

> > of unopposed success, the " Quackbusters " are now in real

> trouble... " The

> > end " for them, has begun. They, themselves are being hunted.

> >

> > The " Quackbuster Conspiracy " is in a desperate place now. They

> know they've

> > lost the war, and are going to pay a terrible price for their

> actions. The

> > fear is in their eyes...

> >

> > Re: The Placebo Effect And Quackwatch(S. Barrett)

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I asked Tim Bolen about the updates but he hasn't yet responded. He's

busy doing battle with " The Quacks " .

 

Paul

[Guest guest]

How can the primary effect of all allopathic drugs be a placebo effect ?

 

Jane

 

-

" rpautrey2 " <rpautrey2

 

Friday, January 11, 2008 8:03 AM

Re: The Placebo Effect And Quackwatch(S.

Barrett)

 

 

Correction: I meant to say " Quackwatch " instead of " Quackbusters " .

Sorry about any confusion. Paul

 

, " rpautrey2 "

<rpautrey2 wrote:

>

> Thanks for your response. I am very aware of the disinformation

> Quackbusters is disseminating. My post contained excerpts from the

> Barrett article on the placebo effect and it was addressed to MD's.

> The placebo effect is the primary effect of allopathic drugs.

>

> Paul

>

> , " clare mcconville -

> harris " <mc@> wrote:

> >

> > Quackpot Watch

> > http://www.quackpotwatch.org/

> >

> >

> > " THE LAST DAYS OF THE QUACKBUSTERS " ...

> >

> > Opinion by Consumer Advocate Tim Bolen (jurimed2@)

> >

> > I've been following the activities of the " Quackbusters " for

about

> five

> > years, ever since the name Stephen Barrett (quackwatch.com) came

> up, as a

> > player, against a client of mine in California. I asked the

> question " why

> > would this group be using a doctor from Pennsylvania, as their

> witness, when

> > there are 300,000 health professionals in this State? "

> >

> > Thus began my education. Now I'm going to educate YOU...

> >

> > The " quackbuster " operation is a conspiracy. It is a propaganda

> enterprise,

> > one part crackpot, two parts evil. It's sole purpose is to

> discredit, and

> > suppress, in an " anything goes " attack mode, what is wrongfully

> named

> > " Alternative Medicine. " It has declared war on reality. The

> conspirators

> > are acting in the interests of, and are being paid, directly and

> indirectly,

> > by the " conventional " medical-industrial complex.

> >

> > Millions of health freedom fighters, and members of the public,

> worldwide,

> > know what I know. Public outrage and reaction is growing. After

> 25 years

> > of unopposed success, the " Quackbusters " are now in real

> trouble... " The

> > end " for them, has begun. They, themselves are being hunted.

> >

> > The " Quackbuster Conspiracy " is in a desperate place now. They

> know they've

> > lost the war, and are going to pay a terrible price for their

> actions. The

> > fear is in their eyes...

> >

> > Re: The Placebo Effect And Quackwatch(S. Barrett)

> >

>

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

I called up that page and I do see reports dated January 2008...looks like updated until 10th of January

 

The information you refer to is not content from Tim