|
HOME......
Brain Food
LINKS: ....Your Memory Enhancer ....Neurotech ....Success Tips ....Free....Brain Wisdom PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DRUGSThe psychological setting or frame of mind is important in the effect of many drugs, particularly with psychotropics. Psychological effects are also important for other medications and treatments and often result in cures or symptomatic relief when no drugs has actually been given. There are several psychological aspects of drug use, including the placebo effect, set and setting, which are discussed below. Placebo Effect If a person thinks that he or she is taking a certain drug that is supposed to have a certain effect, and it does (whether or not it contains any active ingredients designed to produce the desired results), this is the placebo effect. This effect can happen with any substance; it is important in medicine and probably has resulted in many "cures" of a variety of ailments. An example of the placebo effect is chicken soup taking away the symptoms of a cold, or hot lemon tea eliminating a headache. Set Psychological or mental set is the frame of mind a person is in when he or she takes a drug. It is also considered to be an unconscious expectation and is a factor in the placebo effect. If a person does not think that a certain medication will work, it often does not. Setting The actual physical, social and cultural environment in which a person finds him/herself when a substance is consumed can determine how that person reacts to a drug. As an example, a glass of wine in a fine crystal wine glass, sipped in a candlelit restaurant HOME...... Brain Food LINKS: ....Medical Dictionary ....Stress Management ....Allergy Info |