It seems that open label placebo offered to people the possibility of gaining self awareness on their body and being more empowered in the way they manage their pain."

- Cláudia Carvalho, Ph.D

In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, dives into the fascinating world of placebo effects with guest Dr. Cláudia Carvalho, a board-certified clinical psychologist and founder of the Institute Milton H. Erickson of Lisbon. Together, they uncover the powerful impact of placebos, both in clinical trials and therapeutic practice.

Cláudia explains the importance of suspending disbelief to experience the therapeutic benefits of placebos, even when patients are aware they are taking an inert substance. Ana and Claudia discuss the ethical dilemmas surrounding placebo use and explore the emerging field of open-label placebos. Claudia shares insights from her own study on chronic low back pain, revealing that open-label placebos can yield significant and lasting pain relief.

They highlight the broader implications of this research, emphasizing the vital role of the patient-provider relationship and the potential to revolutionize medical care. They also underscore the importance of human connection, trust, and communication in achieving effective treatment outcomes.

To further your understanding, Claudia encourages listeners to explore resources from the Program in Placebo Studies at Harvard Medical School (PIPS). Don't miss out on the profound insights this episode offers into the mind-body connection and the powerful, often underappreciated, role of placebos in medicine.

Let's dive in!

This week on The Mindset Zone:

00:07 Introduction and Welcome

01:15 Introduction to Claudia Carvalho and Her Work

04:00 Understanding Placebos: Inert Substances with Therapeutic Effects

06:45 Placebos in Clinical Practice and Drug Trials

10:20 Psychological Impact and Ethical Dilemmas of Placebo Use

12:30 Introduction to Open-Label Placebos

14:50 Details of Claudia’s Study on Chronic Low Back Pain

19:30 Significant Findings and Long-Term Benefits

23:40 The Importance of Patient-Provider Relationship

26:50 Broader Implications for Medical Care Paradigms

29:20 Encouragement to Explore PIPS Resources

31:00 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources

Meet Our Guest:

Cláudia Carvalho, PhD, is board-certified in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy and a member of the Applied Psychology Research Center Capabilities & Inclusion. She completed a PhD in Health Psychology in 2008 under the mentoring of Irving Kirsch. She is an active affiliated team member who leads collaborations with Irving Kirsch and Ted Kaptchuk on open-label placebo projects carried out in Lisbon, Portugal. Her research interests include open-label placebo, hypnosis, suggestibility, and the patient-provider relationship and how it influences health outcomes.

Resources:

https://claudia-carvalho.com/

http://programinplacebostudies.org/

http://programinplacebostudies.org/media/

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