Belief, operant conditioning, and suggestibility all play important roles. This occurred at a treadmill setting of 44. For a second test, the treadmill number was miscounted so that the patient exercised less, he exhibited the same pain and ECG depression as at the setting of 44. This dramatically demonstrates the power of suggestion. Contrary to popular belief, placebos can be harmful.
Patients can become dependent on nonscientific practitioners who employ placebo therapies.
And patients can be led to believe that diseases are only amenable to a specific type of treatment from a specific practitioner. On the other hand, the practitioner can also be blinded to the real disease because of being convinced that the patient's condition is only imagined. It is imperative that skeptics recognize the wisdom and warnings inherent in this statement.