John has repeatedly been taking a painkiller for his back pain. one day, his doctor instead gives him a different pill, which contains no pain killing medication. nonetheless, john experiences pain relief. what is going on here

Placebo effect

John is experiencing placebo effect where the pill that contains no pain killing medication has given pain relief to John. A placebo is a substance with no therapeutic effect but sometimes improves patient’s condition. This is due to patient’s expectation that the pill they take can help or ease the pain they have even if no active ingredient is present.

Therefore, the effect is more than positive thinking or believing that a treatment will work by creating a stronger connection between the brain and body as they work together.

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