There is a misuse of placebos in trials of pharmaceutical drugs.  The placebo is supposed to be something that has no pharmacological effect, but in many trials this is not the case.  There was a trial to examine the efficacy of a ‘natural’ remedy (an antioxidant).  The trial concluded that it was no better than the placebo.  What wasn’t made clear was that the ‘placebo’ used was vitamin C, known to have a beneficial effect in all manner of conditions, partly through its anti-oxidant properties.  In researching one ‘natural’ remedy, the researchers assumed that another ‘natural’ remedy would have no effect and could therefore be used as a placebo.  In another trial, looking at the effect of sugar on the behaviour of children, the ‘placebo’ used was chocolate biscuits!

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