Is there an easy way to determine if you're in the Control group in a drug test?

A few years ago, my wife was given the opportunity to participate in a drug trial. This was for an experimental medication that would have been helpful for her so long as she wasn't wasting her time on the placebo. Ultimately, we decided against participating because we did not trust the doctor and we did not want to go through all the trouble of commuting downtown every week when there was a 50% chance of taking the placebo.|||No, there's no easy way to tell.





The placebo effect happens because people have positive thoughts about the possible treatment they are receiving.





While I can certainly understand not wanting to drive or take the risk of getting the placebo, a double blind test is the only way to tell if a drug is effective or not.





And the placebo effect is very real. It's a testament to how positive thoughts can have a positive effect on the body.|||It depends on the drug being tested, but theoretically, you're not supposed to be able to tell.





Some active drugs will make you nauseated, euphoric, depressed, jittery, or some other side effect. If you experienced those effects, you'd know you had the active drug. Placebo shouldn't have any effects like th t (but people will still report them... shows what the power of thought will do to you!)





Some clinical trials do a crossover, so that people on the placebo and active drug switch. That makes each person his or her own control. Not all studies are set up that way, though.





It's too bad that the study didn't work out for you. Clincial trials often demand a lot in terms of time and effort in exchange for free medication and medical care. Sometimes even the control group does better because of all the close attention.