Understanding Today's Crossword Puzzle
The clue for today's crossword puzzle is "A pharmacologically inactive drug" which points us to the answer "PLACEBO".
A placebo is a substance or treatment that has no therapeutic effect on its own. It is often used in medical research as a control, where a group of participants is given the placebo while another group receives the actual drug being tested. By comparing the results between the two groups, researchers can determine the effectiveness of the active drug.
But why does this clue have the answer "PLACEBO"? Let's break it down:
- The clue mentions a "pharmacologically inactive drug". This indicates that we are looking for a substance that is considered a drug, but does not have any pharmacological activity.
- The answer "PLACEBO" fits perfectly with this description. A placebo is often used in medical trials precisely because it lacks any pharmacological effect. It is simply an inert substance or treatment.
- Furthermore, the word "placebo" itself derives from the Latin word meaning "I shall please." This reflects the idea that a placebo may have a psychological effect, providing comfort or assurance to the patient even though it has no direct physical impact.
In summary, the answer "PLACEBO" matches the clue "A pharmacologically inactive drug" because placebos are substances with no therapeutic effect that are commonly used in medical research to compare against active drugs.
Definition of "PLACEBO"
a medicine or procedure prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient rather than for any physiological effect.
Example :That crossword clue published 1 time/s & has 1 answer/s.
Crossword | Date | Answer |
The Times Specialist | 20 May 2018 | PLACEBO |