The placebo effect is extraordinarily powerful, but what goes on in the brain to produce it is poorly understood. Neuroimaging studies, however, are helping neuroscientists to identify a group of brain regions that may represent the neural circuitry underlying the placebo effect.
Very interesting article. I wonder how much the placebo effect causes ill effects on patients. I've a friend who seem to be more likely to feel bad side-effects of drugs but they also educate themselves on the drugs they are taking.