The subject of placebos has been fascinating scientists and medical professionals for decades. The word placebo comes from Latin and means “I shall please.” The concept of the placebo effect refers to the phenomenon in which treatments or procedures produce positive outcomes merely because individuals believe they will work.
__1__ During medicine trials, researchers often include a “placebo group” as a control to measure the true efficacy of the medication being tested. While one group receives actual drugs, the placebo group is given an inert substance, such as a sugar pill. To ensure unbiased results, participants in the placebo group are deceived so that they believe they are taking real medicine or getting a genuine treatment. __2__ Even more remarkably, belief in the treatment’s effectiveness could cause the body to respond as if it had received real medication.
__3__ For many years, it was widely believed that the placebo effect could only be triggered through deception. It was assumed that subjects needed to be tricked into believing fake treatments were real. However, a 2020 study involving non-deceptive placebos turned this idea on its head.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片： AdobeStock
In the experiment, one group was informed in advance that the saline solution they received was a placebo, while the other group was not. __4__ It seems that people can be conditioned to react positively to a placebo, regardless of whether they are fully aware of the truth.
安慰劑的主題數十年來一直令科學家與醫學專家們著迷。「placebo」這個單詞源自於拉丁文，意指「我將使……高興」。「安慰劑效應」的概念是指僅僅因為人們相信某些治療或療程會有效，就能產生正面效果的現象。
雖然這個詞可以應用在各種情境中，但大多與臨床研究與醫療實務有關。在藥物試驗中，研究人員常設置一組「安慰劑組」作為對照，以衡量實驗藥物的真正療效。一組受試者會拿到真正的藥物，而安慰劑組則被給予沒有藥效的物質，例如糖丸。為了確保結果不偏頗，安慰劑組的受試者會被騙，讓他們以為自己服用的是真正的藥物或接受的是真實治療。令人驚訝的是，在安慰劑組的這些人有時回報他們的症狀有顯著的改善。更不可思議的是，相信治療有效可以促使身體產生如同得到真正藥物的反應。
這些發現引發心理學家與醫師間的討論：人的心理狀態能影響生理健康到什麼程度？多年以來，普遍認為安慰劑效應只能透過欺騙來觸發。原先以為需要騙受試者，讓他們相信假治療是真的。不過，2020 年一項包含非欺騙性安慰劑的研究顛覆了這個觀點。
該實驗中，一組被事先告知他們所拿到的生理食鹽水是安慰劑，而另一組則沒有被告知。說來奇怪，被告知的那組人的情緒壓力指數下降幅度比不知情的那組還大。人們似乎可以被制約，以對安慰劑產生正面的反應，不論他們是否完全知曉實情。
Word in Use
1. fascinate vt. 迷住，深深吸引
We were fascinated by the beauty of the sunset in the mountains.
我們被山中的夕陽美景深深吸引。
2. professional n. 專業人士
The school invited several professionals to speak about their careers.
學校邀請了幾位專業人士來談談他們的職涯。
3. procedure n. 醫療處理
The new treatment protocol includes a procedure to reduce inflammation.
新的治療方案包含減輕發炎的處置。
4. outcome n. 結果
Every decision you make will affect the outcome.
你所做的每個決定都會影響結果。
5. substance n. 物質
Please don’t touch that chemical substance with your bare hands.
請不要徒手碰那個化學物質。
Practical Phrases
1. trick sb into V-ing 騙某人做……
Jake was tricked into opening the suspicious file.
傑克被騙去打開那個可疑的檔案。
2. turn sth on its head 顛覆對某事的認知
That movie turns the idea of good and evil on its head.
那部電影顛覆了善與惡的傳統觀念。
3. in advance 事先，提前
The couple packed everything in advance so they wouldn’t have to rush tomorrow.
這對情侶提前把所有東西都打包好了，這樣他們明天才不會太趕。
4. regardless of. . . 不論∕不管……
The rules apply to everyone, regardless of age or status.
這些規定適用於每個人，無論年齡或身分。
5. be aware of... 知道∕意識到……
The hikers were not aware of the wild animals nearby.
那些健行者沒有意識到附近有野生動物。
What Did You Learn?
A) The placebo effect has also been observed in non-medical areas, such as education and sports performance.
(B) Surprisingly, individuals in the placebo groups sometimes report noticeable improvements in their symptoms.
(C) While the term is applied in various contexts, it is most frequently associated with clinical research and medical practice.
(D) Oddly enough, the informed group showed a greater reduction in emotional stress scores than those who didn’t know they had received a placebo.
(E) These findings have fueled discussions among psychologists and medical doctors about the extent to which the mind influences one’s physical health.
參考答案
1. C 2. B 3. E 4. D
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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