I love thinking about the placebo effect as a form of “real magic.” I mean, what’s more magical than the fact that your mind and its honest belief in something can actually heal your body, without any help from physical truth?

Personally, I have a suspicion that at least part of why the placebo effect works is that humans are pack animals, and it’s inherently restorative to be in the position of being taken-care-of. Community and care are a big part of how we evolved to where we are now, so doesn’t it seem reasonable that the emotional experience of being in a healthcare setting, having someone devote their attention and thought to you, and care to give you a treatment routine might tap into something healing?