The Power of Placebo

Some research studies have confirmed that a fake treatment, made from an inactive substance like holy water, sugar, or saline solution, can have what is called a "placebo effect." It can sometimes improve a patient's condition simply because the person has a strong belief and expectation that it will be helpful.

The word 'placebo' seems to have originated from the Latin for "I will please." The placebo effect is an illogical phenomenon in which a physiologically inert treatment improves a patient's condition. It seems to work because of belief that it will work.

Belief is known to be a very powerful force. People have benefited a lot from belief. When kids get hurt or have some minor ailment, they believe the loving parents can provide the best treatment, even if it is just a fake.

I know of at least one case of an adult - a lady patient who had refused to undergo surgery until she got the 'vibhooti' prasadam from her Guru. A few days later, after she applied the 'vibhooti', the symptoms of the disease vanished. The doctors who treating her were simply stunned. The patient was cured without an operation.

My grandfather was a doctor who practised with the famous Dr. Rangachari in Madras. Though he was an allopath by profession, he took a deep interest in homeopathy and took up many cases of patients who were advocated surgery by Dr. Rangachari. He treated them with homeopathy and cured them without surgery. I am not sure of the secret in the treatment but I guess the patient's belief in the doctor and the treatment led to the improvement.

When I was a kid, occasionally I developed rashes on my skin - perhaps it was due to some insect bites. My mother used to take me to an old lady for treating the rashes through what she called "mantrikkal." The old lady used to apply some 'vibhooti' on the affected portion and chant some mantras. Lo and behold, the rashes were gone after some time.

I have also heard from some of the Sai Baba devotees that the Baba Vibhooti has done wonders and saved many people. How does it work? Is it just the unshakeable belief in Baba or there is some thing more to it. Frankly, I don't know the answer. Perhaps, you know better.