[OpticalWindows]

Also the placebo effect is right on their heels in terms of effectiveness

[lazyasciiart]

Can the placebo exist without the "real" pills? More practically, does anyone prescribe placebo outside of a clinical trial?

[Reelin]

Yes. It is the same real, measurable response you would get from an effective medication even though no medication was given. In many cases the rate at which placebo occurs is surprisingly high. (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/306437)

[lazyasciiart]

I know what placebos are. But the effect is created by telling the patient you gave them medication. So I don't believe it's possible to make "treatment by placebo" a standard.

[manquer]

Homeopathic treatment is largely placebo.

A board certified doc will never prescribe placebo he will get sued, plenty of ppl are getting them via alternative medicine though