1) What is a placebo?

2) How do placebos work - what generates the "placebo effect?

3) In testing a therapeutic drug, what exactly does a "drug versus placebo trial" test?

4) Is the placebo effect the same for everyone? What conditions seem to enhance the placebo effect?

5) Does a strong placebo effect mean that the active biochemical and physiological effects of drugs don't matter? Explain.

6) The article focuses on therapeutic (legal) drugs. Do you think there are placebo-like effects when psychoactive drugs are used for recreational purposes? Explain. 

7) In terms of consumer wellbeing, should health care providers try to make the placebo effect stronger (take advantage of it) or not? Why? What are the potential benefits and costs of doing so - i.e., justify your answer.