Ted-Ed video about the power of the placebo effect
A more detailed explanation of how placebos have been used in medical and drug tests. This term has been used since the 1700s and placebo means "I shall please". New drugs in 1950s were tested against placebo drugs to see if the drug was effective or not. Researchers have found that measurable change in physiology does exist with placebos, such as increased blood flow, and releasing endorphins. But placebos can't treat real diseases with consistency and permanently, so aren't used as treatments, but do warrant more research in understanding the body and mind connection.
