I never denied that there could be a placebo effect. I specifically said that if there was a placebo effect, and that effect was strong enough to result in complete eradication of pain, then I don't see anything wrong with that. If there are methods which can allow your own body to heal itself without the aid of any other medication, I find that pretty cool. It's just another method of healing. You're acting like a placebo effect is somehow ineffectual? Why? If it works, it works. Mind over matter is pretty awesome in my opinion.

I think it would be great if different forms of healing and treatment were studied and regulated, but for the longest time (at least in the US) it was illegal to even practice any of this stuff. I mean, it's still illegal today in some states to practice midwifery. Some states let you get a license, but others don't even allow that option. There were huuuge efforts to block the licensing of chiropractors since chiropractics was seen as unscientific and harmful to the public. But nowadays, you can even have a visit to the chiropractor covered in your insurance plan. The initial response to anything outside the mainstream seems to be complete dismissal, which isn't really the right attitude. It's the kind of attitude I think you're sporting.

I have health insurance with Kaiser Permanente, I take antibiotics for infections, I go to pharmacies to get prescriptions filled, I don't have any problem with mainstream medicine. But I'm not going to close myself off to other possibilities.

I think more research done on this stuff is a GOOD thing. I think the best doctor to have would be the kind who has knowledge of more than the very strict set of treatments available in the mainstream. Cancer treatment is a good example of the current battle to introduce more alternative methods to treating cancer and the incredible reluctance of the medical community to entertain any thoughts outside of chemotherapy. I like having options and dislike the idea that there is only one way to attack a problem and it's THIS way and all other methods are just silly and tricks of your brain and blah blah blah.

I get what you're saying, I really do. It's just I personally really don't care if other people think they're being cured by water. I really don't. As long as people aren't being harmed by it, I don't see the point in being all condescending and OH NOES HUMANITY! about it.