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volunteer  noun - a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task

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Placebo is a science mystery that leads to beneficial effects on many illnesses when a fake medication is applied. We do not know how or why. A lot of experiments were conducted through the years and they all confirmed the existence of this effect.

In 1996, 56 volunteers took part in an experimental test for a new painkiller.  A finger on one of their hands was coated in the new medicine while another on the second hand was not. Then the two fingers were squeezed to pain. Patients reported that the pain on the finger on which the medication was applied to faded out faster. But this medication did not own any healing properties.

Despite its effect on illnesses placebo is not recommended to be used. On the one side, there is an ethical problem where a patient is being lied to. On the other side, the placebo effect fades out quickly. This short-term relief can mislead someone to not search for medical help and use proven medicines and therapies.

What is the placebo effect?