<h1>Placebos and the Big Brag Theory</h1>

I started practising my voice therapy, occasionally. I sound like Felix Unger. If you remember "The Odd Couple" with Tony Randall playing Felix, you will know that special sound. It will only get worse when I begin anew the therapy with the therapist. I plan to devote myself to correcting my voice.

They cancelled the research project in which I was one of many guinea pigs. They were looking for a connection between caffeine and the rate of progress of PD. After 1.5 years, they concluded there was no difference between the control and placebo groups. I was certain I was in the control group because I didn't seem to get any worse over the year and a half. Surprise, surprise. It turns out I was in the placebo group. I should have known because caffeine has a negative effect on me and I wasn't getting a hit from the pills I was taking,

Was I a victim of the placebo effect or do I suffer from a lack of scepticism? I think a placebo, prescribed by a serious, caring physician, to an accepting patient, can accomplish as much as real meds. The placebo is no longer a placebo if the patient believes in its efficacy, it becomes a remedy and can lead to a cure (or a slowing of progress in PD).

That is what I believe. I was convinced PD was slowing down. If they had never told me I was on the placebo, the rate of my PD might have slowed considerably.

But then I also believe the universe has always existed and will always exist. No beginning and no end. Just change. I admit I might be wrong on that count. But that is an entry for another day.