You Are the Placebo by Dispenza is a guide for "placebo sufferers" and those who think they can save money by treating disease with over the counter medications instead of treating it. Dr. Michael Schloss, author of You Are the Placebo, explains that placebos actually do nothing for most people and in some cases can even make things worse. The book includes several case studies and the secrets to telling the difference between a real drug and a placebo. In addition, the book also covers the ethical issues of placebo use, what to do when your body doesn't respond as expected from an over the counter drug, and the dangers of medical trials.

The concept behind placebo is simple, if doctors can effectively give patients medication and expect it to cure them without the patient ever knowing, then that is not placebo. Is it possible to cure by placebo alone, without medication or surgery? The fact is that it very rarely happens more frequently than you may think. Most likely, if a doctor gives a placebo to a patient, that person will still be having an effect after the procedure. It is simply that no actual medication is given; the patient is just put into a state of meditation or relaxation so that their minds will stop being active during the time that the medication is in effect.
It's important to note that many of these medications have not gone through major clinical trials, so there is very little scientific data on their effectiveness. Even the FDA does not know how many placebos are in existence! With all this said, there were still many good treatments and cures available that have not been found through placebo studies. You can find many natural remedies, homeopathic medications, and natural supplements that can work very well for chronic illnesses.