If we can imagine pain, we can imagine pain relief

Placebo can be a powerful treatment as it can cause pain relief or therapeutic benefit on the expectation of treatment rather than 'real' treatment.

• Studies show patients expecting morphine increase the circulation of their own endogenous opioids in advance of getting morphine.
• Patients who had undergone amputation can overcome phantom limb pain with mirror therapy. The brain is tricked into thinking their limb is restored and able to move, loosening up the discomfort.