The placebo effect is a well-documented phenomenon in which physical or mental changes result when a person believes that they are receiving a real medication or treatment when, in reality, they are receiving a sugar pill or other ineffective substance or action.⁠ This effect is usually seen in scientific tests because researchers need to see if a treatment is actually effective or if people just think it is effective.⁠ ⁠ Placebos can create changes in how we feel subjectively (more or less pain, happiness, tiredness, etc.) as well as in non-subjective measures like blood pressure or healing.⁠ ⁠ The placebo effect is thought to work as the mind anticipates symptoms or changes, and then perceives change or enacts change (also known as the “expectancy and conditioning” or “self-fulfilling prophecy” theory – we expect that the placebo is a beneficial, effective treatment, and are conditioned to experience the response).⁠ ⁠ Building on this concept, a group of researchers attempted to test...