system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: what's the use of the placebo effect?

why does your body wait to fight a disease untill you think it's not that bad? shouldn't your body just always do its best to not get sick?
gpt
In many cases, a big part of the symptoms is caused by anxiety exacerbating the issue. A placebo works by convincing you that the symptoms will improve, and because you anticipate the improvement, the increased sensitivity you're getting from being anxious goes away. It's not that the symptoms are any better, it's just that you're not as subconsciously laser-focused on them.