How do we decide when a treatment is ineffective?
When research shows that it is no more effective than a placebo, right?
So, what do you think when you read “clinical improvement was noted in.. (37%) butyrate-treated patients and… (47%) placebo-treated patients”?
It’s not the medicine, it’s mindset.
Do you think that 37% better is pretty awesome?
Do you think what the heck, why do almost 50% of people HEAL just from a placebo??
Do you ask yourself, why aren’t we studying placebo psychology in these patients who are healing their chronic, painful, and life-altering illnesses just from a saline enema and maybe continuing to find new medications and surgery is a waste of time???
**This specific study said that both groups (treatment and placebo) had three participants each that went into COMPLETE REMISSION!!! 6 people in complete remission.**
(But the treatment was ineffective according to the researchers)
It’s not the medicine, it’s mindset.
I was researching a new(ish) treatments for IBS, chron’s, and colitis with butyrate enemas. It has been researched since the early 1990’s and more research is being done now. Early research said that the treatments were ineffective and current research says it is working well depending on the dosing.
Clinically, more physicians are seeing drastic changes in patients who use this treatment, especially with those who are unresponsive to medications and nutritional therapy.
As someone who personally struggles with a digestive disorder that is very painful and affects my day to day, I first am interested in any therapy that has this type of success rate. Second, what are these patients (myself included) missing in their life and medical care as far as community, support, someone who listens to them, accepts their pain as real, who is willing to offer a treatment (placebo or not!), with ongoing care and conversation?
I imagine everyone in this study coming in and feeling relief! A team to listen to them, provide hope and solutions, and a community of people struggling with the same condition. A solution they haven’t tried yet that gives them hope!
Is hope the missing ingredient?
What are your thoughts??