Why do placebos work? Scientists identify key brain pathway
That reminds me of the idea that brain as a predictive engine that constantly refine its internal model to match anticipated sensory outcome. In this case the inference is way more complex based on cognition that the placebo would help relieve pain.Based on this idea, however, the study does not identify the key pathway responsible for placebo effect, but only the result of it. If the brain anticipate relief of pain, the parts related to pain would activate. If it anticipates other effects, other parts of the brain would do.