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placebo effect
noun
: improvement in the condition of a patient that occurs in response to treatment but cannot be considered due to the specific treatment used
Examples of placebo effect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The inclusion of a randomized, blinded placebo group would also be necessary to eliminate the potential for the placebo effect and other variables, Moriarty added.
—Novella Lui, Health, 3 May 2024
This isn’t just a placebo effect either: early studies have found that compounds in CBD oils have been useful in pain treatment, including for intense pain, sharp pain, cold and itchy sensations.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2023
Acadia’s schizophrenia drug fails in pivotal study Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ treatment for schizophrenia missed its primary goal in a pivotal study, the company said yesterday, pointing to an unexpectedly strong placebo effect.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024
Many sleep experts argue that any benefits people may experience are probably from a placebo effect.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Scientific American, 16 Feb. 2024
The researchers initially saw a profound placebo effect: Patients seemed to improve whether their implants had been activated or not.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
The placebo is real That doesn't mean that the placebo effect isn't happening here.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 26 Sep. 2023
After all, the placebo effect is largely mediated by the belief that some form of treatment is happening.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 26 Sep. 2023
Experts say there’s no evidence to support this, but the placebo effect is real.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'placebo effect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1902, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to placebo effect
Dictionary Entries Near placebo effect
Cite this Entry
“Placebo effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placebo%20effect. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Medical Definition
placebo effect
noun
: improvement in the condition of a patient that occurs in response to treatment but cannot be considered due to the specific treatment used
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