Researchers at Michigan State University conducted an experiment with 61 volunteers aged 18 to 30 to examine the effect of a placebo on stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants were divided into two groups. One group was asked to take a placebo twice a day for 14 days and also received online sessions explaining the mechanism of action of the placebo. The control group did not need to take any medication.
The results showed that taking a placebo with mindfulness accelerated the reduction in participants’ stress levels.
The researchers noted that the effect was comparable to three months of cognitive behavioral therapy. Therefore, recent scientific studies highlight that psychological mechanisms can be a powerful tool for improving well-being even without active drug intervention.
Source: Ferra
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