Open-Label Placebo

An open-label placebo is a placebo treatment given to a person who knows it is not an active medication. Despite knowing it’s inert, some individuals still experience health benefits, likely due to the placebo effect—where the mind’s expectations influence the body’s response. This approach challenges the idea that deception is necessary for placebo benefits and suggests that the belief in treatment alone can sometimes improve symptoms or well-being without the risks associated with active drugs. It is an area of ongoing research exploring how transparency can still harness the power of the mind-body connection.