The evidence related to the placebo effect is discussed, and it is emphasized that the descriptors “relatively large” and “robust” are appropriate in the context in which they were used. Basic science and clinical trials, when interpreted properly, have revealed that the placebo effect is indeed a real phenomenon. J. Hunsley and R. Westmacott (this issue) as well as A. Hróbjartsson and PC Gøtzsche (this issue) are concerned that BE Wampold, T. Minami, SC Tierney, TW Baskin, and KS Bhati (2005) overstated the clinical effects of placebo when it was never BE Wampold et al.'s (2005) intention to make inferences about clinical utility; however, it is shown that the placebo effect exceeds many accepted medical interventions.© 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 63: 401–403, 2007.