Open-Label Placebos Reduce Hair Cortisol Concentrations And Psychological Distress: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    June 2026 in “ Scientific Reports ”
    Carla Liedtke, Michael Schaefer, Sören Enge
    Studysummary In this study, university students given open-label placebo treatment reported reduced psychological distress and lower hair cortisol concentrations during stressful exams, suggesting that these placebos may help manage the physiological and psychological impacts of prolonged stress.
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    Research cited in this study 2

    1. Simultaneous LC-MS/MS Quantification of Glucocorticoids, Melatonin, and Its Metabolites in Hair Journal of Chromatography B · 2022
    2. Determinants of Hair Cortisol and Hair Cortisone Concentrations in Adults Psychoneuroendocrinology · 2015