Chapter 24, Problem 20RQ

To determine

The biochemical which is responsible for placebo effect.

Answer to Problem 20RQ

Endorphins are responsible for the placebo effect.

Explanation of Solution

Through the placebo effect, it is the patient’s belief in the effectiveness of the medicine rather than the medicine itself that leads to pain relief. Endorphins are also implicated in the placebo effect in which patients experience reduction in the pain after taking what they believe it as a drug but it is actually some sugar pills, if sugar pills are replace with the actual drug it binds with the receptor sites. Hence, placebo effect vanishes.

Conclusion:

Therefore, endorphins are a drug responsible for the placebo effect.