March 21, 2013 | Ling

I appreciate it when my doctor sugar-coats bad news. But what about if she prescribes plain sugar pills instead of proper drugs?

A new study reveals that 97% of 783 GPs who were surveyed have prescribed sugar pills or saltwater injections to at least one patient.

I’m a big believer in the power of positive thinking. So if a placebo can put me in a better place, psychologically, to deal with illness, I’ll happily swallow it.

Pit painkillers and placebos against all kinds of Ouch – it’s part of Antenna’s current feature exhibition, Pain Less: the future of relief.