Both doctors think using the placebo effect for research is ethical, because the patient knows they could be given a placebo and signs a consent form. They think it is a great way to determine if a medicine actually has effects, or if its only because the patient thinks it should work. Natasja van Oppen is involved in a clinical trial for thyroid disorders, which involves the use of the placebo effect. The patients are all given a blue pill, some are placebos and others contain the medicine. The trial is still going and it is a very slow process so the results will be available in six
