Asian Health & Service Center

Placebo Effect
The placebo effect is a phenomenon that belief creates benefits. This is commonly used in regards to health and medicine.

For some people, just the idea of taking medicine makes them feel better. This was proven through a study published in Science Translational Medicine, who tested the placebo effect by studying how people react to migraine pain medication. One group took a migraine pill, another group took a placebo pill, and a third group took nothing. The researchers found that the placebo pill was 50% as effective as the real drug to reduce pain after a migraine attack. The researchers speculated that a driving force to this reaction is the simple act of taking a pill. People often associate the ritual and routine of taking medicine as a positive healing effect. As such, even if the placebo pill was not medicine, the action of taking a pill can stimulate the brain into thinking the body is being healed.

Beyond physical health and medicine, the placebo effect can also be applied to better our mental health and wellbeing. Here are some ways you can utilize the placebo effect to in your everyday life:
• Use positive self-talk to create more trust and confidence in yourself
• Surround yourself with a positive and supportive social circle to boost morale and mental wellbeing
• Engage in healthy living habits such as eating nutritious meals, exercising, and meditating to stimulate your mind and body
• Use affirmations and reminders that reinforce a positive mindset throughout your day

Ultimately, the placebo effect reminds us that our minds are powerful. While the placebo effect is not a replacement for treatment, the way we think and the habits we build can meaningfully shape how we feel. By intentionally fostering positive beliefs and routines, we can all take an active role in supporting our own wellbeing.

For more information on promoting well-being and caring for our mental health needs, please feel free to contact our behavioral health language line. Our bilingual therapists are available to help Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

English 503-772-5893
Mandarin 503-772-5894
Cantonese 503-772-5895
Korean 503-772-5896
Vietnamese 503-772-5897

安慰劑效應
什麼是安慰劑效應？
安慰劑效應就是一種「相信產生力量」的神奇現象。當我們的內心深處認定某種方式有效時，身體真的會隨之產生正面的改變。這種現像在健康和醫學領域非常常見的現象。
對很多人來說，有時候甚至還沒等藥效發揮作用，光是「準備吃藥」這個念頭，就能讓他們感覺好多了。
《科學·轉化醫學》期刊曾發表過一項有趣的實驗。研究人員觀察了偏頭痛患者對藥物的反應。第一組被試吃了真正的止痛藥，第二組被試吃沒有藥效的安慰劑，第三組什麼都不吃。結果令人驚訝：安慰劑在緩解疼痛方面的效果竟然達到了真實藥效的一半！
研究者認為，這種反應背後的動力其實是源自於一種「儀式感」。在我們的潛意識裡，服藥這個動作往往代表著「我正在好轉」。所以，即便吃下的並不是真正的藥物，大腦也會在「服藥」這動作的刺激下，釋放出「身體正在康復」的訊號。
在日常生活中，善用這種力量
除了治療身體疾病，安慰劑效應也能溫柔地照顧我們的心理健康。您可以嘗試透過以下方式，為生活加一點「正向暗示」：
• 多給自己一些肯定與鼓勵，建立起內在的信任與自信
• 讓自己置身於積極、支持您的社交圈中，這種正能量的環繞能顯著提振精神
• 認真吃好每一餐，堅持運動，嘗試冥想。當你用心照顧身體時，你的精神跟心理也會感受到被滋養
• 在生活中放一些溫馨的小提醒或勵志語錄，時時提醒自己保持積極的心態。
安慰劑效應告訴我們：我們的內心比想像中的更強大。雖然它不能取代正式的醫療手段，但我們的思考方式和生活習慣，確實能深刻地改變我們的感受。透過有意識地培養正向的信念和日常習慣，我們每個人都可以成為自己健康生活的「主導者」。
想要了解更多關於華人服務中心心理健康部門或與身心平衡相關的資訊，歡迎聯絡中心之心理健康部門語言專線，我們的雙語心理諮商師於週一至週五早上八點半至下午五點竭誠為您服務。
英語 503-772-5893
國語 503-772-5894
廣東話 503-772-5895
韓語 503-772-5896
越南語 503-772-5897