Abstract
The latest scientific evidence has demonstrated, that the placebo and the nocebo effect stem from highly active processes in the brain that are mediated by psychological mechanisms such as expectation and conditioning. These processes have been described in some detail for many diseases and treatments, and we now know that they can represent both strength and vulnerability in the course of a disease as well as in the response to a therapy. A better understanding of the neurobiology of the placebo and nocebo responses will form the basis for designing behavioral protocols that can be employed as supportive therapy together with standard pharmacological regimen, the aim being to maximize the therapeutic outcome for the patient's benefit. The further development of these research activities are not only a great challenge but also a great chance for the behavioral sciences in medicine.
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