Side-effects are often a curse. Can they also be a blessing?

This scientific commentary discusses a study by Schenk et al. that explores the potential for side effects to enhance the efficacy of a drug. The study involved 77 healthy volunteers who were given a placebo nasal spray, either alone or with experimentally induced side effects. The results showed that the placebo with side effects led to a stronger analgesic effect and increased engagement of the pain modulatory network in the brain. The study suggests that the belief that more potent treatments have more side effects can influence treatment expectations and outcomes. However, it is important to consider the limitations and ethical implications of using side effects to enhance treatment effectiveness. [Extracted from the article]