Proglumide: "placebo effect amplifier"

[Nagelfar]

Here is what Wiki says:

Proglumide also works as a placebo effect amplifier ... When injected visibly to a subject, its analgesic effect is bigger than a similarly administered placebo. When injected secretly, it does not have any effect, whereas standard pain drugs have an effect, even if they are administered without the subject's awareness. The supposed mechanism is an enhancement of the neural pathways of expectation.

Does this have efficacy only for placebo's, or is the method of action of Proglumide, perhaps, a kind of "universal potentiator"?

 

[basement_shaman]

If it truly enhances expectations, then it would enhance negative as well as positive expectations. It might then make a drug experience more like you expect it to be, regardless of the drug's actual effects. E.g. if you believe nutmeg to be a drug that makes you roll, proglumide may cause psychosomatic symptoms that emulate the feelings of rolling. If it actually works like this, I think it's one of the biggest discoveries of the decade. I highly doubt this is what it does.

Maybe the supposed effects are an artifact of statistics or something. It sounds almost too weird/good to be true.

 

[nAON]

Unless the placebo effect works by consciously activating receptors. Fuck knows. Needs more studies done on it

 

[Epsilon Alpha]

I think it has to do with its affinity for the delta receptor, the study only mentions pain conditions and the delta receptor is well known to have weird effects on the processing of noxious stimuli. But interesting stuff none the less, I'd like to see a follow up study.

 

[pharmakos]

Unless the placebo effect works by consciously activating receptors. Fuck knows. Needs more studies done on it

that was my thought too... perhaps certain metabolic processes require a bit of conscious "willing" at the correct moment. perhaps your brain needs to consciously recognize that weird feeling in your arm as the presence of Proglumide in order for it to produce it's analgesia.