Recently, researchers unveiled the reason why some people are cured with dummy pills, given to treat a condition also known as the placebo effect whereas other people need proper medication to get cured.

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, believe that genes could be the possible reason behind the phenomenon.

Research team found that genes play a pivotal role in modulating the response to placebos in patients afflicted by major depressive disorder or MDD.

Research team reached at the findings after analyzing data collected from 84 people diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).

52 study subjects were given sugar pills as placebos while other 32 were given antidepressants. Then blood tests were conducted to determine the genetic profiles of the participants.

Researchers found that study participants whose depressive symptoms improved after giving placebo had genes that react with two enzymes regulating the brain's reaction to feel-good hormones such as dopamine and norepinephrine.

Dr. Andrew Leuchter, lead author of the study said: "Our findings suggest that patients with MDD who have specific MAO-A and COMT genotypes may be biologically advantaged or disadvantaged in mounting a placebo response."