The Placebo Effect: How Medical Research Is Unlocking the Brain’s Healing Powers
Dr. Liron Rozenkrantz's research examines how beliefs and expectations affect our health, and how they can be harnessed to improve the effectiveness of medications
The Science Behind the Mind-Body Connection
The placebo effect is a well-documented phenomenon in which people experience real symptom relief after receiving a treatment with no active ingredients. Dr. Liron Rozenkrantz, head of the Laboratory for Psycho-Biology of Beliefs at Bar-Ilan University’s Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, is leading groundbreaking medical research into how beliefs and expectations influence our health. Her work sheds light on how the brain plays an active role in healing processes and how these insights could be used to enhance the effectiveness of medical treatments.
How the Brain Shapes Our Perception of Healing
“Our brain is much more than a passive information processor,” explains Dr. Rozenkrantz. “Studies show that the brain generates predictions about what we are about to experience, affecting not only how we perceive the world but also our physiological responses.”
One key example is pain relief. “When a person expects pain to subside, the brain starts releasing natural pain-relieving substances—endogenous opioids—even before the actual treatment takes effect,” says Dr. Rozenkrantz. This response demonstrates how expectations can trigger real biological changes in the body, a finding that is reshaping medical research on drug efficacy and treatment strategies.
Expanding Medical Research on the Placebo Effect
The study of the placebo effect is revealing new ways to improve medicine beyond traditional clinical applications. Dr. Rozenkrantz and her team are exploring how understanding the placebo response could lead to enhanced drug effectiveness and reduced side effects. By incorporating these insights, researchers hope to refine existing treatments, making them more efficient and personalized.
Another exciting research avenue is Open Label Placebo—where patients knowingly take a placebo, yet still experience symptom relief. “The results are surprising and encouraging,” says Dr. Rozenkrantz. “Even when people are aware that they are taking a placebo, we still see positive effects.”
The Future of Personalized Medicine
Medical research in this field is also exploring how expectations influence broader bodily functions, including the immune system, metabolism, and even cognitive abilities like creativity. These findings underscore the powerful connection between mind and body, reinforcing the idea that beliefs and expectations can directly impact physical health.
“We are moving toward an era of personalized medicine—not just at the genetic level, but also at the psychological level,” says Dr. Rozenkrantz. As this research progresses, it could revolutionize how we approach healthcare, offering new ways to harness the brain’s natural healing abilities in conjunction with traditional medicine.
While there is still much to learn, ongoing research into the placebo effect is opening new doors for improving treatments, enhancing well-being, and redefining the role of the mind in healing. This work highlights the profound influence individuals have over their own health, paving the way for a more holistic and integrated approach to medicine.