Sugar pills for pain? new study tests honest placebos for jaw disorder sufferers

This study is testing whether open-label placebo pills—capsules with no active ingredients that patients know are fake—can reduce chronic pain and improve sleep in people with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). About 111 participants will be split into three groups: one gets the placebo plus a discussion about expectations, one gets the placebo alone, and one continues standard care. Researchers will track pain levels, mood, and sleep quality over 45 days to see if the power of belief alone can make a real difference.