Placebo Effect Research

Over the past two weeks, I have done a lot more research and read into studies that have already happened testing the placebo effect. I am beginning to get a better sense of how exactly I will conduct my experiment, and what to expect. Some placebo effect studies tested on whether taking a placebo pill that is said to improve grades actually tricked the persons mind into thinking that it did, to studies that tested whether the placebo effect could improve medical conditions. I have learned that this effect can't be used for something big like cancer, but could very well work on smaller things like chronic headaches.

Some setbacks I have had is getting people to join my experiment. Because I can not tell people that the product they will be receiving is placebo (has nothing in it), it makes it a little tricky to find people who are totally willing to participate in your experiment. I have found two people but I hope to find more by talking to more people about my project. The next steps in my project are to find more people to participate in my experiment, and start conducting it. I have learned that science can be really fascinating, and some of the experiments I have been reading up on are very intriguing. I know that even if my experiment does not turn out the way I hope it does, I have come out of this with a good experience and lots of new knowledge.