From belief in the touted curative effects of spring water and mineral baths to the purchase of quack nostrums and various popular forms of "alternative medicine," people continue the ancient quest for healing. Why do pseudoscientific treatments and "snake-oil" cure-alls seem to work? First of all, healing occurs naturally in the body, and some serious conditions, including multiple sclerosis and certain types of cancer, may undergo what is termed "spontaneous remission," whereby the disease gets better on its own, with or without treatment.The illusion of efficacy is also due to the power of suggestion. Belief in a particular remedy can help reduce pain and stress. This in turn enhances the body’s own healing capabilities: the well-known "placebo effect." Unfortunately, such treatments may only mask the body’s warning, and false hope can have dire consequences. |