Dopamine (red) approaching one of its receptors (blue)
JUAN GAERTNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/ALAMY
The relationship between the hormone and neurotransmitter dopamine and the placebo effect may not be as straightforward as previously thought. Research conducted by Ulrike Bingel and colleagues from the University Hospital Essen in Germany challenges the belief that dopamine plays a significant role in pain relief through the placebo effect.
Contrary to popular belief, a study involving 168 individuals revealed that changes in dopamine levels did not impact their perception of pain or their anticipation of pain relief. This suggests that other factors, such as opioids and cannabinoids, may have a more significant influence on the placebo effect for pain relief.
Bingel suggests that hormones like oxytocin and noradrenaline could also play a role in the placebo effect and should be explored in future studies. While dopamine may not be directly linked to pain relief through placebos, it could come into play in situations where individuals are more motivated to experience pain relief.
Understanding the placebo effect could lead to innovative therapies for more effective pain management. Lauren Atlas from the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, emphasizes the importance of verbal instructions and social factors in shaping the placebo effect, which may not be mediated by dopamine.
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