The Placebo Effect - Is it real or just imagined?

After reading the two articles linked below, write a 250 word minimum response:

Include in your response:

* what is the placebo effect
* explain H.K. Beecher's study which suggested the effectiveness of placebos
* what types of problems do these studies have?
* based on what you have learned, what is your opinion regarding the effectiveness of placebos?

http://www.skepdic.com/placebo.html

http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/FULL/Debunking_the_Placebo.shtml

DUE DATE: Sunday, November 28th by midnight
REMINDER: do not COPY/PASTE and site any/all resources used

Research in Psychology: The Placebo Effect

Studies have shown that the human brain/body is capable of healing itself but also fooling itself.  Placebos are those things we think are doing us some good but, in reality, they have no true healing or mediconal  power on their own.  The power is derived through our expectations and nothing more. 
We usually think of placebos as being sugar or water pills but they are actually found in many forms.  Among these are surgical procedures, religious beliefs and other previously unknown forms of placebos.

The accompanying videos will help to understand the concept and it's applications. (Placebo: Cracking the Code parts 1/2, parts 3/4)