PSYC20006 Lecture Notes - Fall 2017 Lecture 9 - Biofeedback, Opioid receptor, Neurochemistry

• School: University of Melbourne
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC20006
• Professor: Stefan Bode

Document Summary

Physical pain a psychological experience based on changes to biological states and emotional symptoms involve complex brain responses and though patterns. Placebo beneficial effects attributable to the brain/mind responses to context of treatment (drug/device) delivery rather than its direct action: purpose: pain relief, reduced distress and other symptom relief. Nocebo negative effects attributable to the brain/mind responses to the context of treatment delivery rather than drug action: possible physical symptoms: pain, nausea, distress etc. Treatment context the placebo intervention is actively interpreted by the brain and can elicit expectations, memories and emotions which can lead to symptom improvement: external context: verbal suggestions, place cues, social cues and treatment cues. Internal context: outcome expectancies, emotions, meaning schema, explicit memories and pre-cognitive associations: placebo in medicine. Placebo interventions do not, by definition, have therapeutic effects but placebo effects do have therapeutic benefits. Placebo effects can be as large/larger than accepted drug treatments.