Aspirin for people in Western countries is something more than Seirogan, the most popular household digestive medicine in Japan.

Popped in the mouth, the popular antipyretic and painkiller has helped people feel better -- possibly even better than they should from the drug's physiological effects alone, since its reputation enhances expectations.

For the past 100 years, the chemical acetylsalicylic acid has been called a miracle drug, with powerful results in combating pain and fever. In addition to being known throughout the world, it has even gone into space -- American astronauts took it to relieve pain during the historic first flight to the moon.