Towards contemporary neuroethics

why does it make sense to re-define placebo?

Niko Gorjup (Author), Rado Gorjup (Author)

Abstract

The main message we are trying to get across throughout the article is that the placebo is not an inert entity but instead it has a potential of subjective interpretation, a healing potential of its own, over and above that of any healing potential of the medication per se. Such healing potential is greatly dependent on how strong the interpretation value in being healed is that is created by the doctor. In this regard, we are also arguing that there are myriads possibilities at work that can influence how strong this interpretation value can become. The crucial role of contemporary medicine should be to expand the use of these interpretation effects even more and use them to help reduce any negative mental states that could continue to suppress the immune system after the initial healing. In other words, medicine should use the power of interpretation effect not only to re-arouse the immune system temporarily but permanently. In order to achieve a complete process of permanent healing it is necessary to take advantage of making full use of the powerful interpretation value through psychosocial context. It is possible to do that beyond the usual "sugar pill" through evidence based approach - a science of compassionate care! By introducing the new operational placebo definitions, we clearly show that the human mind (unconscious and conscious) is an inevitable substance involved in the Healing Process. The terms "placebo", "placebo effect", and "placebo response" are re-defined into the new working definitions. We explain how there is no more distinction (duality) such as body / mind, specific / nonspecific or health / disease, which offers new insights for future directions in contemporary Neuroethics.

Keywords

placebo;bioelectromagnetics;evidence-based medicine;compassionate care;neuroethics;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2014
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UM FNM - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
UDC:	615.2
COBISS:	83250433
ISSN:	1334-4684
Views:	764
Downloads:	121
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Croatian
Secondary title:	Prema suvremenoj neuroetici
Secondary abstract:	Glavna poruka koju želimo prenijeti ovim člankom je da placebo nije inertni entitet nego sadrži potencijal subjektivne interpretacije, vlastiti potencijal zalječivanja, bitno različit od potencijala liječenja per se. Zalječujući potencijal znatno ovisi o tome koliko jaku vrijednost interpretacije doktor stvori u liječenoj osobi. Pritom diskutiramo o postojanju mnoštva mogućnosti koje mogu utjecati na to koliko jaka vrijednost interpretacije može postati. Ključnu ulogu suvremene medicine vidimo u širenju uporabe učinaka interpretacije kao i u njihovom korištenju u smanjivanju bilo kojeg negativnog mentalnog stanja koje može nastaviti potiskivati djelovanje imuno-sustava nakon početnog zalječivanja. Drugim riječima, medicina bi trebala koristiti snagu učinaka interpretacije ne samo za privremeno nego i za trajno podizanje imuno-sustava. Za postizanje cjelokupnog procesa trajnog zalječivanja potrebno je iskoristiti prednosti uporabe vrijednosti interpretacije kroz psihosocijalni kontekst. To je moguće učiniti povrh uobičajene "pilule šećera" pristupom temeljenim na dokazima - znanošću suosjećajne njege! Uvođenjem novih operativnih definicija placeba jasno pokazujemo kako je ljudski um (nesvjesni i svjesni) nezaobilazna cjelina u procesu zaliječivanja. Pojmovi "placebo", "placebo učinak" i "placebo odziv" su redefinirani. Objašnjavamo kako više nema distinkcije (dualnosti) poput tijelo / um, specifično / nespecifično ili zdravlje / bolest što nudi nove uvide za budući razvoj suvremene neuroetike.
Secondary keywords:	placebo;bioelektromagnetika;z dokazi podprta medicina;sočutna oskrba;nevroetika;
URN:	URN:SI:UM:
Type (COBISS):	Scientific work
Pages:	str. 334-342
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ12
Issue:	ǂissue ǂ4
Chronology:	2014
DOI:	10.7906/indecs.12.4.
ID:	10851697