The placebo effect is not limited to traditional medication, but also applies to hallucinogenic and psychedelic drugs. This discovery could lead to better treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health issues. Researchers at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, have investigated whether the desired effects of these drugs can be achieved without actually taking them. In recent years, studies have shown that placebos can have measurable effects, even when the person knows they are receiving a fake treatment. The researchers wanted to see if a similar effect could be achieved with “placebo drugs.”
The study involved 33 participants who were told they would be given a hallucinogenic drug similar to psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms. In reality, they were given a placebo. During the party, actors simulated the effects of the drug to make the environment more realistic. The researchers then used a standardized questionnaire to measure the participants’ altered states of consciousness. 61% of the participants reported experiencing hallucinations, such as moving and changing walls, altered gravity, and other psychedelic effects.
The researchers concluded that the placebo effect also applies to hallucinogenic and psychedelic drugs. This means that the belief that one has taken a drug can be enough to trigger typical symptoms. The study’s co-author, Samuel Veissière, believes that previous psychedelic studies may have underestimated the placebo effect. The findings could have practical implications for the future of psychedelic therapy. By using contextual factors, such as the belief that one is taking a drug, doctors could achieve the desired effects with much lower doses of the active ingredients, making the treatment much safer.
