28th July, 2009 - Keep Taking The Tablets. Forever.

I am trying to fend off the cold just now by taking vitamin C tablets. I know, of course, that this is pointless. I know that all they give you is a placebo effect, and given I know that the only effect they have is a placebo one, I also know that the placebo effect will be negated by that knowledge. So – therefore – it is pointless to take the tablets.

Except, now that I have started to take them, I am afraid to stop. Because stopping them might actually have an adverse effect on my cold. So – if I stop taking them the symptoms might become worse.

Now, I know that these feelings are irrational, but given that the only effect is a placebo one, presumably there might also be an anti-placebo effect. And although I realise that, if I recognise that the effect is anti-placebo, I should therefore be immune, I do not entirely trust that.

So. I am still taking the tablets. Every morning. And I still have the cold. If anything it is slightly worse today.