Placebo effect - When the mind is part of the treatment

4/8/26, 9:00 PM

A few days ago, I came across an article published in La Vanguardia, based on research that appeared in The Economist, which brings a fascinating topic back to the forefront: the placebo effect.

Once again, the connection between mind and body is demonstrated: our thoughts and beliefs about the expectation of improvement activate our body's physiology in a positive way.

Link to the article on www.lavanguardia.com

Far from being a simple “hoax” or a medical curiosity, there is increasing evidence that our beliefs and expectations can have a very real influence on how our body responds to disease.

For a long time, the placebo effect was viewed with a certain amount of disdain within medicine. It was considered something without a solid scientific basis, almost an illusion. However, modern research has radically changed this perspective. Today we know that it's not just about believing that something works, but about how that belief activates specific physiological mechanisms in the brain and body.

What's interesting is that the placebo effect isn't simply "doing nothing." When a person expects to get better, their brain can release neurotransmitters like endorphins or dopamine, which directly influence pain perception, mood, and even certain immunological processes.

Positive expectation is not abstract: it has measurable biological correlates.

The study mentioned in the article reinforces precisely this idea: patient expectations can modify the response to treatment.

From my perspective, this has important implications beyond the clinical setting. It invites us to reflect on the role our mind plays in health . It doesn't mean that "everything is in our head," but rather that attitude, beliefs, and environment can enhance—or limit—the effects of any intervention.

The brain also “talks” to the immune system

One of the most interesting advances comes from neuroscience. Researchers have observed that certain areas of the brain,

Especially those related to reward and motivation, not only influence mood, but are also connected to the immune response.

This study with healthy volunteers has shown that when a specific brain region—linked to positive anticipation and hope—is activated for an extended period , the body produces more antibodies after vaccination . This is not because the vaccine is different, nor because the dosage changes, but because the brain is sending signals that reinforce the immune system's response.

In other words: thinking that something will work can actually help it work better .

And no, this isn't magic thinking or the "law of attraction." It's biology.

It's not just about being happy: it's about expecting something good.

A key finding of these studies is that not all positive emotions produce the same effect. It's not enough to simply feel good, relaxed, or happy. What makes the difference is something more concrete: a positive expectation about the future .

Hope. Confidence. The feeling that "this is going to help me."

This explains why the placebo effect is so powerful in some medical contexts. When a patient trusts a treatment, when they feel they are in good hands or that there is a possible solution, their brain activates circuits that influence very real bodily processes.

And this also explains why the placebo effect does not mean that "it's all in your head", but just the opposite: that the mind and body are deeply connected.

Ultimately, the placebo effect reminds us of something fundamental: the body and mind do not function separately. And understanding this connection may be one of the most powerful—and least utilized—tools we have for improving our health.