Âé¶¹´«Ã½

Letter: A short history of honest placebos

Published 30 April 2025

From Alex McDowell, London, UK

The idea of “honest placebos” isn’t new. Âé¶¹´«Ã½ reported they were effective against irritable bowel syndrome (9 March 2016). They have appeared in fiction, too. In Stephen King’s It, Eddie finds out his asthma inhaler contains a placebo, but continues to use it (5 April, p 20).

Issue no. 3541 published 3 May 2025

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with Âé¶¹´«Ã½ events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop